Apple Walnut Cake / Bolo de Maçã e Nozes

In my home growing up, nothing ever went to waste — least of all a basket of fresh apples. When apples were in season, my mom would bake this cake, and the whole house would fill with the warm scent of cinnamon and toasted walnuts. This Apple Walnut Cake recipe, known in Portuguese as Bolo de Maçã e Nozes, is the kind of dessert that makes you feel at home the moment it comes out of the oven.

(Insert featured image block here)

What is Apple Walnut Cake?

Bolo de Maçã e Nozes is a traditional Portuguese-style bundt cake made with fresh apples, chopped walnuts, cinnamon, and a simple batter built around orange juice and butter. It is not overly sweet — the apples carry most of the flavor, and the walnuts add just the right amount of texture and depth. This Apple Walnut Cake recipe bakes low and slow for about an hour and twenty minutes, giving the apples time to soften into the batter and the top time to develop a beautiful golden crust. It is the kind of cake that works year-round but feels especially right in the autumn when apples are at their best.

How to Make This Recipe

The method for this Apple Walnut Cake recipe is straightforward. You start by tossing your peeled, cored, and chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon, and walnuts and setting them aside. In a separate bowl you beat together eggs, sugar, orange juice, butter, and vanilla until well combined. Then you mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour half the batter into your greased and floured bundt pan, layer half the apple mixture over it, add the remaining batter, and top with the rest of the apples. Bake at 350°F for about 1 hour and 20 minutes — test with a toothpick, it should come out clean. Let the pan cool completely before removing.

Tips for the Best Apple Walnut Cake

• Use Gala apples or any firm, slightly sweet apple — they hold their texture during the long bake time.
• Peel, core, and cut the apples into small bite-size pieces so they distribute evenly through the cake.
• Don’t rush the bake — 1 hour and 20 minutes is a minimum; some ovens need closer to 1 hour and 50 minutes.
• Always test with a toothpick before pulling it from the oven; the dense batter can look done on the outside while still being wet inside.
• Let the cake cool completely in the pan before turning it out — removing it too soon can cause it to break.
• A bundt pan gives this cake its beautiful shape; grease and flour it well to prevent sticking.
• This cake pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea, exactly as Maria’s mom intended.

A good bundt pan is essential for this recipe. This Nordic Ware bundt pan from Amazon is a reliable option that releases cleanly and produces a beautiful shape every time.

Purchases made from using the links on this page means that we may earn a commission without costing you anything extra.

Serving and Storing

Serve Apple Walnut Cake at room temperature, sliced thick alongside coffee or tea. It keeps well wrapped at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap individual slices and freeze for up to a month — thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in a 300°F oven.

Apple Walnut Cake / Bolo de Maçã e Nozes

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 3 reviews

• Author: Maria Lawton
• Category: Baked Goods

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

6–7 medium apples (I used Gala Apples, but you can use the apple of your choice)

Make sure to peel, core and cut apples into small bite size pieces.

1/2 cup of granulated sugar

1 tablespoon of cinnamon

1 cup of chopped walnuts

2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon of baking powder

1 teaspoon of salt

1 cup of butter, melted or 1 cup of vegetable oil

1 3/4 cups of granulated sugar

5 large eggs or 4 extra large

1/4 cup of orange juice

2 teaspoons of vanilla

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a large tube or bunt pan and leave aside.

1. In a large bowl add the chopped apples and toss together with sugar, cinnamon and walnuts, making sure that all apples are covered with mixture, then set aside.

2. Add the flour, baking powder and salt in another large bowl. Mix well together and leave aside.

3. In a separate medium bowl use a hand mixer to combine the eggs, sugar, orange juice, butter and vanilla. Make sure this apple mixture is well incorporated.

4. Create a well at the bottom of the large flour bowl and add all of the egg mixture. Mix everything together.

5. Pour half of the batter into the pan and then spread half of the apple mixture over it. Pour the remaining batter over the apples and then top with the remaining apple mixture.

Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let the pan cool before removing, and serve along with a nice cup of coffee or tea.

Notes

 

Looking for another cozy dessert?

Love Portuguese cakes? Try my Walnut Cake with Chocolate Sauce for a rich, nutty celebration cake, or my Upside Down Carrot Cake for another easy Portuguese-style bake.