Apple Walnut Coffee Cake

🍏🌰☕ Apple Walnut Coffee Cake: A Delicious Treat! ☕🌰🍏

📜 History:
Apple Walnut Coffee Cake is a delightful baked treat that combines the goodness of apples and walnuts with a tender coffee cake base. While the exact origin of this cake is a bit elusive, coffee cake as a concept dates back centuries, often served alongside coffee during social gatherings. Over time, variations emerged, and the addition of apples and walnuts created a beloved fusion of flavors.

🧁 Components:

1. Cake Base:

   • 2 cups all-purpose flour
   • 1 cup granulated sugar
   • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
   • 2 eggs
   • 1 tsp vanilla extract
   • 1 tsp baking powder
   • 1/2 tsp baking soda
   • 1/2 tsp salt
   • 1 cup sour cream

2. Apple-Walnut Filling:

   • 2 cups peeled, cored, and diced apples (such as Granny Smith)
   • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
   • 1/4 cup brown sugar
   • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

3. Streusel Topping:

   • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
   • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
   • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
   • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

4. Glaze (optional):

   • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
   • 1-2 tbsp milk
   • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

👩‍🍳 Steps to Prepare:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Prepare Streusel Topping: In a bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, cold cubed butter, and ground cinnamon. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend until it resembles coarse crumbs. Set this aside.

3. Prepare Apple-Walnut Filling: In another bowl, mix the diced apples, chopped walnuts, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Set this aside as well.

4. Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room temperature butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.

5. Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

7. Layering: Spread half of the cake batter in the prepared baking dish. Top it with the apple-walnut filling. Then, add the remaining batter over the filling.

8. Streusel Topping: Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the cake batter.

9. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

10. Cool and Glaze (optional): Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes. If desired, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth, and drizzle it over the cooled cake.

🕒 Time Needed:

• Preparation: Approximately 20-25 minutes
• Baking: 45-50 minutes
• Cooling: 15-20 minutes (optional glazing time not included)

This Apple Walnut Coffee Cake is a perfect combination of sweetness, warmth, and crunch. Whether served at breakfast or as a dessert with a cup of coffee, it’s sure to delight your taste buds and bring a smile to your face! 🍰☕🍏🌰

Certainly! Here’s some nutrition information and health considerations for Apple Walnut Coffee Cake:

📊 Nutrition Facts (Approximate per serving):

• Calories: 350-400 kcal
• Total Fat: 18-20g
  • Saturated Fat: 8-10g
• Cholesterol: 50-60mg
• Sodium: 250-300mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 45-50g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2-3g
  • Sugars: 25-30g
• Protein: 4-5g

🍎 Health Information:

• Apples: Apples are a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C. They also contain various antioxidants and can aid digestion.

• Walnuts: Walnuts are rich in healthy fats, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, and provide protein and fiber. They can support heart health and brain function.

• Sour Cream: Sour cream adds moisture to the cake but also contains saturated fat and calories. You can consider using a lower-fat alternative or Greek yogurt for a healthier option.

• Portion Control: While delicious, coffee cakes can be calorie-dense. Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid excessive calorie intake.

• Moderation: Enjoy Apple Walnut Coffee Cake as an occasional treat due to its sugar and calorie content. It’s not typically considered a health food but can be part of a balanced diet in moderation.

• Customization: You can make this coffee cake a bit healthier by reducing sugar and using whole wheat flour or a blend of whole wheat and all-purpose flour for added fiber.

Remember that the nutrition information can vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes you use. Always consider your dietary needs and preferences when enjoying this delicious treat.