Decadent Caramelized Apple Walnut Cake Recipe

Decadent Caramelized Apple Walnut Cake Recipe

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 5 large eggs
• 150g sugar (3/4 cup)
• 8g vanilla sugar (2 tsp)
• A pinch of salt
• 160g all-purpose flour (1 cup)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 120g walnuts, chopped (1 cup)

For the Caramelized Apples:

• 3 medium apples (preferably tart varieties like Granny Smith)
• 45g sugar (3 tbsp)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 50g unsalted butter (2 tbsp)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

For the Cream:

• 600g cream cheese (2.5 cups, at room temperature)
• 600g heavy cream (3 cups, 33% fat, cold)
• 395g caramelized sweetened condensed milk (1.2 cups)
• 395g sweetened condensed milk with cocoa (1.2 cups)

Instructions

Preparing the Dough:

1. Preheat your oven to 356°F (180°C). Grease and line a 24 cm (9.5-inch) round baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cake later.
2. Whisk the Eggs and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar, and a pinch of salt. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture on high speed until it becomes light, fluffy, and pale yellow. This should take about 5-7 minutes. The volume of the mixture should nearly triple.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Gradually add the dry mixture to the egg mixture, gently folding it in with a spatula. This will help retain the airiness of the batter. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Add the Walnuts: Gently fold the chopped walnuts into the batter until evenly distributed. The walnuts will add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the cake.
5. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The top should be golden brown, and the cake should spring back when touched lightly. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Preparing the Caramelized Apples:

1. Peel and Dice the Apples: Start by peeling the apples. Then, core and dice them into small, bite-sized pieces. The size of the  apple pieces should be consistent to ensure even caramelization.
2. Caramelize the  Apples: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the sugar, honey, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves and begins to caramelize, turning a light amber color.
3. Cook the Apples: Add the diced apples to the saucepan, stirring to coat them evenly in the caramel mixture. Cook the apples over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and caramelized. The apples should be soft but still hold their shape. Once done, remove the pan from the heat and let the caramelized apples cool to room temperature.

Preparing the Cream:

1. Mix Cream Cheese and Heavy Cream: In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese and cold heavy cream. Beat the mixture on medium-high speed until it becomes smooth and thick, with soft peaks forming.
2. Add Caramelized Sweetened Condensed Milk: Gradually add the caramelized sweetened condensed milk to the cream mixture, beating on low speed until fully incorporated. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
3. Incorporate Sweetened Condensed Milk with Cocoa: Finally, add the sweetened condensed milk with cocoa, continuing to beat until the cream is thick, smooth, and well-blended. The resulting cream should be rich and luxurious, perfect for layering between the cake.
4. Chill the Cream: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the cream for at least 4 hours to allow it to set and thicken further. This step is crucial for achieving the right consistency for spreading and decorating the cake.

Assembling the Cake:

1. Slice the Cake: Once the cake has cooled completely, carefully remove it from the pan. Using a serrated knife, slice the cake horizontally into two or three even layers, depending on your preference.
2. Layer the Cake: Place the bottom layer of the cake on a serving platter. Spread a generous amount of the prepared cream over the layer, smoothing it out with a spatula. If you sliced the cake into three layers, repeat this process with the second layer, applying more cream.
3. Top Layer and Decoration: Place the top layer of the cake on top of the cream. Spread a thick layer of cream on the top and sides of the cake, covering it completely. For a polished finish, use a spatula to smooth out the cream.
4. Decorate with Caramelized Apples: Arrange the cooled caramelized apples on top of the cake, either in a decorative pattern or scattered casually for a rustic look. Use any remaining cream to pipe decorations or create swirls on the top or sides of the cake.
5. Final Chill: Once assembled, refrigerate the cake for a few hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the cream to firm up. This will make the cake easier to slice and enhance the overall taste.

Serving Suggestions

This cake pairs beautifully with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The rich caramel flavors and the tangy sweetness of the apples make it a perfect dessert for any occasion, from a casual family gathering to a festive celebration.

Nutrition Information

• Serving Size: 1 slice (based on 12 servings)
• Calories: Approximately 570 kcal
• Total Fat: 37g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Cholesterol: 125mg
• Sodium: 210mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 55g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 40g
• Protein: 7g