Whole Wheat Apple Cinnamon Cake

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A year of tinkering in the kitchen – that's the story behind this incredible Apple Cinnamon Cake! It all started with a surplus of homegrown apples, a desire to create something delicious, and perhaps a slight oversight (who knew apple cobbler was an option all along?). But fear not, fellow bakers, because this journey of experimentation has yielded a truly fantastic result.

Through countless tweaks and adjustments to the same basic recipe, I've finally landed on the perfect balance of ingredients. The star of the show, of course, is the 100% whole wheat flour. It adds a delightful heartiness to the cake without sacrificing any of the flavor. And speaking of flavor, the natural sweetness of the apples takes center stage, with just a touch of added sugar to coax it out. Here's the secret weapon: those juicy apple pieces! As the cake bakes, they slowly release their moisture, keeping the whole thing perfectly moist and dreamy. No dry crumbs here!

This cake is more than just a delicious way to use up some apples; it's a testament to the joys of experimentation in the kitchen. And the best part? It's become a cherished tradition in my family, gracing our Thanksgiving table year after year. So, why not give it a try in your own kitchen? You might just discover a new favorite recipe, born from a little bit of homegrown bounty and a whole lot of love.

 

Ingredients:

• Dry ingredients
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• ¾ cup sugar, half white and half brown
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon powder
• Wet ingredients
• 1 cup softened butter or coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 eggs (maybe try one more)
• ¾ cup water, more or less as needed to ensure batter is thick and smooth. Should move smoothly when mixing spoon is pulled through top of batter, with no visible gaps, holes, or bubbles.
• 3 ½ cups apples, peeled and chopped small (or even diced)
• Powdered sugar (optional, as desired)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and baking powder, cinnamon powder. Then, make a well in the center and add wet ingredients: butter/oil, eggs, water, and vanilla. Mix well until combined (batter will be thick). Mix in chopped apples. 
• Optionally, add only water to the dry ingredients, let sit for about 15-30 minutes, then begin adding the butter/oil, eggs, and vanilla. The bran in the whole wheat flour will absorb some of the water and make it easier to work with. Continue the rest of the recipe as usual.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one loaf pan or similar. Scoop batter into prepared pan, and make sure to fill corners and smooth out the top .
3. Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean; this can depend on the state of the apples, but expect about 1 hour and 20 minutes. 
• Because I'll be running the oven anyway, I usually bake two of these cakes at a time. Try doubling the recipe and using two loaf pans with the same temperature and baking time.
4. Let cake cool and optionally sift thin layer of powdered sugar over cooled cake, or add your own frosting.