Get ready to transform your kitchen into a heavenly bakery with these irresistible Apple Walnut Cake Bars that are about to become your new obsession! Imagine biting into a moist, cinnamon-spiced treat packed with juicy apple chunks and crunchy walnuts – a dessert so incredible, it'll make your taste buds dance with pure joy. Whether you're a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this recipe promises to deliver restaurant-quality bars that will have everyone begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups chopped apples
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with butter or line with parchment paper, ensuring some overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until well combined and no lumps remain.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure even incorporation.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Gently fold in chopped apples and walnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula and smoothing the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for about 1 hour.
- Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the cake out of the pan, then cut into 12 equal bars.
- Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a light glaze before serving.
Tips
- Choose firm, crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor contrast.
- Make sure your butter is truly softened but not melted for the perfect cake bar consistency.
- Don't overmix the batter – mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the bars tender.
- For extra moisture, consider adding a splash of vanilla extract to the wet ingredients.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting to ensure clean, neat slices.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.
- For a gourmet touch, toast the walnuts briefly before adding them to enhance their nutty flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 285kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 45mg
