Honey Pecan Cake
A moist, flavorful apple cake with honey and pecans, featuring warm spices and tender apples, perfect for cozy gatherings and autumn desserts.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp vinegar ⓘ
- 1 cup milk ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups sugar ⓘ
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 1 tsp vanilla ⓘ
- 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 3 tsp baking powder ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp baking soda ⓘ
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans ⓘ
- 1/4 cup honey ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp water ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice ⓘ
- 6 large apples ⓘ
- 2 tsp cinnamon ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp sugar ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. sugar ⓘ
- 3 c. flour ⓘ
- 2 1/2 c. sugar ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel and slice apples into 1/8-inch thick slices and coat with cinnamon and sugar mixture.
- Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl, mix cooking oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla, honey, water, and lemon juice at medium speed until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until smooth.
- Layer the coated apple slices in a greased baking dish or cake pan.
- Pour the batter over the apples, spreading evenly.
- Bake for approximately 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or substituting some of the sugar with brown sugar for a richer taste. If you want a lighter cake, you can replace half of the milk with buttermilk. Make sure to coat the apples thoroughly with the cinnamon-sugar mixture to ensure even flavor throughout. For a more decadent treat, try serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.
Serving Suggestions
This Honey Pecan Cake is best served slightly warm, allowing the flavors to shine. It pairs beautifully with Hot Fruit Compote for a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. You can also serve it with whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar on top. A cup of tea or coffee complements the sweetness perfectly, making it an ideal dessert for gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, place slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Honey Pecan Cake contains roughly 1364 calories, with 10g protein, 90g carbohydrates, and 121g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (146% of the Daily Value), calcium (66% of the Daily Value), and iron (54% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1592mg per serving (69% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?
Yes, you can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds based on your preference. Just ensure that the nuts are chopped finely to distribute evenly throughout the cake. This will still provide a lovely crunch and nutty flavor without altering the essence of the dish.
What can I do if I don't have honey?
If you don’t have honey, you can substitute it with maple syrup or agave nectar. Both alternatives will add sweetness and moisture to the cake. However, keep in mind that the flavor profile will slightly change, but it will still be delicious.
How can I prevent the apples from sinking to the bottom?
To prevent the apples from sinking, toss them in a bit of flour before layering them in the baking dish. This will help them stay suspended in the batter as it bakes. Additionally, make sure the batter is thick enough to support the weight of the apples.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).