APPLE-WALNUT STREUSEL TUBE CAKE

STREUSEL:

1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup chopped apples
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3 tbsp butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a tube pan; set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, apples, walnuts, flour and cinnamon. When the mixture is combined, stir in the melted butter. Set aside.

CAKE:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup orange juice

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and baking soda; mix well. In a large mixer bowl, using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat butter and sugar until soft and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and blend in. Change mixer speed to low; alternately heat the flour mixture and orange juice into the egg mixture. Spoon half the batter into the prepared tube pan. Sprinkle with half the struesel. Spoon the remaining batter over the streusel spreading to make sure you have an even layer. Swirl the batter with a butter knife to create a marble pattern in the batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove cake from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining streusel. Return to the oven and continue to bake for another 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer cake to a wire rack to cool completely.

GLAZE:

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 1/2 tsp orange juice

Combine the confectioners' sugar and the orange juice, mixing well. Turn cake out on serving platter and drizzle the glaze over the cake.

NOTE: This cake is also good using pear instead of apple.

For the holidays add one-third cup chopped dried cranberries to the apples, if desired.

file photo for reference

 File Photo