This Apple Raisin Cake recipe, written in blue ink on a template card featuring a red oven mitt with blue flowers, is a rich and flavorful dessert perfect for the fall season. Combining the sweetness of apples and raisins with the nuttiness of walnuts, this cake is a wonderful treat for any occasion. The mix of white and whole wheat flour gives it a wholesome texture, making it both satisfying and delicious.
Join our Vintage Recipe Facebook Group to discuss and find “new” old recipes to enjoy.
Links to find other recipes:
Apple Raisin Cake
Apple Raisin CakeFood History
Apple cakes have been a beloved dessert in many cultures, often associated with harvest time and autumn celebrations. The use of raisins and nuts in apple cakes is common in traditional recipes across Europe and the United States, where these ingredients were once considered luxury items. This particular recipe, with its blend of white and whole wheat flours, reflects a mid-20th-century trend towards incorporating more whole grains into baking for added nutrition.
Looking for the perfect recipe? Scroll through our library of Vintage Apple Cake Recipes to find your new favorite.
Timeline
- 19th Century: Apple cakes become popular in Europe and America, often made with local apples and spices.
- Early 20th Century: The addition of nuts and raisins to apple cakes becomes more common as these ingredients become more widely available.
- Mid-20th Century: Recipes like this one start incorporating whole wheat flour, reflecting growing health consciousness.
- Today: Apple Raisin Cake remains a favorite, often enjoyed during the fall and holiday seasons.
Recipe Discussion
This Apple Raisin Cake offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The use of both white and whole wheat flours provides a balanced texture, while the blend of cinnamon and nutmeg adds warmth and depth. The oil and sugar are beaten until thick, ensuring a moist and tender crumb. The addition of apples, raisins, and walnuts adds sweetness and crunch, making each bite a flavorful experience.
This cake is versatile enough to be served as a dessert or a breakfast treat. The apples provide moisture, while the raisins add a chewy texture, and the walnuts contribute a pleasant crunch. The cake is finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, adding a touch of sweetness to the already rich flavors.
Preparation Tips
- Apple Choice: Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture. Softer apples may become too mushy during baking.
- Mixing the Batter: Be careful not to overmix the batter once the apples, raisins, and walnuts are added. Overmixing can make the cake dense.
- Pan Selection: The recipe gives you the option to bake in either a round or oblong pan. Adjust the baking time accordingly to ensure the cake is cooked through.
- Cooling: Allow the cake to cool for at least 15 minutes before removing it from the pan. This helps it set and makes it easier to handle without breaking.
Serving Suggestions
- Fall Dessert: Serve this Apple Raisin Cake as a cozy dessert on a cool fall evening, perhaps with a cup of hot apple cider.
- Breakfast Treat: This cake also works well as a breakfast item, paired with a cup of coffee or tea.
- Holiday Gathering: Bring this cake to a holiday gathering—it’s sure to be a hit with its warm spices and hearty ingredients.
Apple Day is celebrated on October 21st, a perfect occasion to enjoy a slice of apple cake.
View other Food Holidays.
Recommended Products for Making Apple Raisin Cake
The links below lead to top-rated products on Amazon—if you use our links, we can save more recipes.
- 10-Inch Round Cake Pan: Ideal for baking this cake evenly and ensuring it releases easily from the pan.
- Apple Corer and Slicer: Simplifies the preparation of the apple chunks.
- Cooling Rack: Essential for allowing the cake to cool evenly after baking.
Sweet and Nutty Flavors in Every Slice
This Apple Raisin Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a comforting, hearty treat that captures the essence of homemade baking. Whether you’re enjoying it fresh out of the oven or savoring a slice the next day, this cake is sure to become a family favorite.
More Vintage Recipes
We have lots of recipes on the site that may be of interest to you. Use the links below to view other recipes similar to this Apple Raisin Cake recipe.
Apple Raisin Cake Recipe
Apple Raisin Cake
Ingredients
- 1½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups white flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp soda
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 2 cups peeled [1 inch] apple chunks
- 1 cup raisins
- ¾ cup chopped walnut
- Powdered sugar as needed
Instructions
- In mixer bowl combine oil & sugar.
- Beat until thick.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Mix in vanilla.
- Sift together flours, soda, cinnamon, salt & nutmeg.
- Add to oil mixture, mix well.
- Stir in apples, raisins & walnuts just until blended.
- Spoon batter into greased & floured 10x2½ round pan or 9x13x2" pan.
- Bake at 325° for 1hr 15 min for round, about 1hr 5 min for oblong pan.
- Cake is done when pick inserted into center comes out clean.
- Cool cake on rack 15 min.
- Remove from pan.
- Cool completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar.