This cake. It was my Dad’s favorite. He had a Fall birthday and this is the dessert my Mom made him every year for his office celebration. It was also the batter my Mom could barely keep us kids away from….it was so good, even before it was baked. This was back in the day when no one cared about eating raw cake batter.
This is one of those delicious, moist cakes I crave and love eating every, single time. It has such great memories for me. I can still see my Dad getting down the special crystal tray my Mom used to send with the cake. It was on a high shelf above the stove she could not reach. The platter wasn’t anything expensive, just the best one she had. A bowl of real whipped cream was also packed up and served with each slice, trust me you don’t want to forget the whipped cream.
My Mom acquired this recipe from a woman she used to work with over fifty years ago in downtown Los Angeles. Beyond that we have no idea where it originated from. I just know I love it. Just like my Dad. The texture is especially nice with it’s big chunky apples, crunchy walnuts and the decent amount cinnamon plays a big part in taste. Taking a bite is like “tasting” my childhood, if that even makes sense.
This is the size you’ll want to chop the apples. I have noticed that if the apples are too thin, the batter gets too soggy. Keep them coarsely chopped.
The perfect Fall dessert.
One Year Ago: Gluten Free Peach Crisp
Two Years Ago: Sweet Vanilla Brown Rice Healthy Snack
Five Years Ago: The Reuben Dip
Chunky Apple Snack Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla
- 4 cups (6-8 apples) Granny Smith apples, peeled, quartered and diced coarsley
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9 x 13 pan by spraying it with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. In a small bowl combine eggs, oil and vanilla; add this to the sugar-flour mixture in the large bowl. Mix thoroughly. Batter will be stiff (do not use mixer).
- Add the apples and walnuts. Pour into baking pan and cook for 50-60 minutes or until the middle springs back when touched.
- Serve with whipped cream. Feel free to make this cake a day ahead, the flavor only improves.
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste says
This is right up my alley! Love all that fresh fruit flavor and can’t wait to try these!
Tieghan says
Mmm! I love those chunky apples! This looks like the perfect snack!
Helene D'souza says
What a gorgeous looking cake! You know we still don’t really care and just eat cake batter, never got sick of it. I won’t be able to get granny smith here so I ll have to choose different apples just so that I can enjoy this beauty.
Cathy says
Pippin apples would work nicely too.
Meg says
mmmmmm….love apples and always a new way to use them.
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Ohmahgosh, Cathy! The first time I had this chunky apple cake with a really thick batter (made with vegetable oil) was from a friend from school in the 6th grade. Her family was Polish and they called it “Polish Apple Cake”. Then, when I married hubby, his family had a similar recipe as well. This cake is a fall favorite at our house! It’s sooooo good. Thanks for sharing!
Sandy Coughlin says
These look so tasty and perfect for fall! Can’t wait to try them.
Teresa says
This was my mom’s favorite too. Her recipe is called Raw Apple Cake and she always made it in a bundt pan. I think I’ll do it soon too, I’m going to try it in the 9X13.
natalie@thesweetslife says
i was JUST googling apple cakes yesterday! this looks fantastic!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Oooh, I love those BIG chunks of apples! This luscious cake is calling my name!
Ashley says
This cake sounds wonderful – and so perfect for this time of year : ) I also love when recipes are so connected to or remind you of family – they’re the best kind.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Oooo, this looks divine, Cathy! I could eat a whole pan!
Lynn says
This looks perfect to make for my card making group when they come to my house next Tuesday … thank you for sharing.
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says
I am completely smitten with this cake! The chunkier the better:)
Erin says
Baking this cake now. My kitchen smells delicious!!
Des says
Love this! And I totally get the whole tasting your childhood. Lumpia (Filipino eggrolls) are exactly that for me.
Kate | Food Babbles says
What a wonderful recipe! I can definitely relate to food that are like tasting my childhood. This looks so tasty. I can practically taste those big apple chunks and all that cinnamon. Saving this recipe for sure!
monica says
So happy to connect with you! Love your site and having a blast exploring so many of your amazing recipes. I just have to chuckle at the small world we really do live in. I found YOU from your comment (via guest post by Pineapple and Coconut) at MY site, but Oh my goodness! You live in McMinnville!? My husband grew up there and his family is still there and we visit every year!! I can’t wait to track you down next time we are in town!! 🙂
ALOHA, and thanks for stopping in to say hi at my site.
Judith - Texas says
Definitely going to make this cake. Thanks for sharing this recipe….through this recipe I can feel the love you have/had for your parents…hopefully they are still with you.
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Criminey, woman! Feed me!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
I could use a big slice of this right now!
Maegan @ The BakerMama says
This looks heavenly! Love the big chunks of apples! What a special and comforting treat this would be this fall!
Tahnycooks says
I can totally see why this would your dads favorite!! This cake looks delicious!
Mousse says
I baked this on the weekend and sent it along with my husband to work on Monday morning (I often bake, for the sheer pleasure – and give it away for fear of eating it all !!)….the rave reviews and compliments were over the top. Super easy to pull together ….Thank you Cathy and your Mom too !! Recipe’s a keeper and part of my permanent repertoire
Marilyn H. says
I made this for my husband’s birthday with apples (unknown variety, but very tart) from our backyard trees. It was awesome, even without whipped cream or ice cream! Thanks for the recipe!
BTW I have a couple cousins who live in McMinnville. 🙂
Brenda says
I use to make this for my kids they loved it I called it Apple Nobble Cake. I lost the recipe I am so happy I found it. Thankyou so much. Now I will make it for my Grandkids can not wait !!!!
Cathy says
Cute name.
Joan K Donato says
I love this recipe for chunky apple snack cake pleadw semd to my e-mail
Cindy says
Made this cake tonight as part of our Valentine’s dinner. I cut the recipe in half and baked it in a square pan. It came out fully cooked but gooey moist…the way we love it. Served it with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a dollop (a.k.a. squirt) of whipped cream. Thaperfect finish to a wonderful meal. Thirtieth Valentine’s Day celebrated with this man and they only get sweeter! Thanks for posting such a delicious and easy recipe.
Farah Abu Arida says
This cake is amazing, I made it yesterday and it was perfect. I put 3 spoons of cinnamon instead of one spoon 🙂
Trish says
Love this cake. It is so yummy and easy to make especially with the little ones. I add extra cinnamon too. Wonder if this would work with blueberries. I might have to try it. Thanks for the recipe and your site.
Liz says
This was delicious! I halved the sugar, and it is still amazing.
Cathy says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Cindy B. says
WOW is all I can say!! Couldn’t wait for this to cool completely to taste it…so I didn’t. Thought it would be good but oh my even so much better than I expected. Glad I came across your site. Many more recipes I’ll be trying. Thanks!
Cathy says
Glad you enjoyed it!
John Rolli says
Any hints to make this gluten free please?
Love your stuff.