Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 3 cups peeled, diced apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour the cake pan.
  2. Peel, core, and dice the apples. Set aside to allow them to release some juice (approximately 30 minutes).
  3. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  4. In another bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
  5. Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
  6. Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  7. Gently fold in the diced apples and nuts, if using, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
  8. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  9. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
  10. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.