Apple chocolate chip cake is comfort food of the highest order. And this recipe is the result of what some might call networking, but I prefer to think of as non-romantic matchmaking.
I love matchmaking. Generally not the romantic kind, as that feels too pressured for both the matchmaker and the matched. But connecting two of my friends to each other, watching as they find common interests and sometimes, if I’m lucky, begin to form an independent friendship. And while I do generally adhere to the adage that “it’s better to give than to receive,” I’m most appreciative when a friend introduces me to someone they think I’ll like.
When my friend Jill introduced me to Nancy Leopold, we immediately hit it off. I wouldn’t say Nancy is a bundle of contradictions – more like a set of coins with two sides. While she is deeply concerned about spiritual and public policy matters, she also cares about people. Nancy can be serious about an issue, but I doubt that she’s ever had a conversation in which she hasn’t found something to joke and laugh about. And while she is a huge proponent of change and dynamism, but she appreciates tradition like no one else I know.
Nancy and her husband Jeff have hosted an open house for 33 years that features Jeff’s famous chili– and lots of it – followed by Nancy’s apple chocolate chip cake. The apple chocolate chip cake is just the right finish for a spicy batch of chili.
With just a touch of sweetness, studded with apple chunks and chocolate, this cake is satisfying, but not heavy. As the hundred of guests mingle and munch, plates of cake go from towers of deliciousness to empty in the blink of an eye. Like my apple cake in a bundt pan, this cake is made with oil, not butter, so it is a great alternative for folks who love dessert but seek a lower fat alternative. This cake is also pareve for those keeping kosher if you use chocolate chips that are so labeled. And it’s got chocolate chips, so in a battle with Grandma Ethel’s apple cake for the best apple dessert chocoholics are going for this one.
While I’ve only known Nancy since about 2000, her friendship with Jill goes back much further. Jill fondly remembers when they lived in the same apartment building (pre-kids) and Jill could smell the cake baking as she opened her door. Jill now admits that she used to find excuses to pop in on Nancy when the cake was in the oven, hoping that she’d be invited to sample it. I can’t blame her.
Nancy Leopold’s Apple Chocolate Chip Cake
Apple Chocolate Chip Cake
This Apple Chocolate Chip Cake is the best kind of comfort food. Easy to prepare and tasty, it works well as a snack or a dessert.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 cups peeled chopped apples (2-4 apples depending on size)
- 3 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil canola or similar + extra (or butter) for greasing pan
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 10 ounces/1½ cups of semisweet chocolate chips ⅓ cup less than a full 12-ounce package
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9-inch baking pan and set it aside.
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Mix the apple chunks with the sugar in the large bowl, and let them stand for 15 minutes. That interval gives the apple chunks time to absorb the sugar.
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In a medium bowl, mix (or whisk) together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
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After the 15 minute "rest" for the apple and sugar mixture, lightly beat the eggs in the small bowl and add the oil and eggs to the apples and sugar.
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Add the dry ingredients to the apple, sugar, oil and egg mixture in 3 additions, mixing thoroughly after each addition. By the end, the batter will be stiff. Fold in the chocolate chips and spoon the batter into the greased baking pan. (It's too stiff to pour.) Even it out with the spatula or the back of the spoon.
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Bake the cake approximately 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Let the cake cool in the pan, on a wire rack, before cutting and serving.
I rushed to take photos of the finished cake, so you may notice that the chips aren’t completely cooled, even though the cake was room temperature. Be more patient than I was, and wait at least a couple of hours or overnight before serving it to guests. Of course, it’s no crime to try a “test piece” before the cake is fully cooled.
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
What a sweet story – bad pun not intended! My husband loves all apple desserts and always wants me to put chocolate chips in just about everything – no idea why I’d never thought to pair apples and chocolate – this sounds divine!
Brandy M says
Anything with Apples and chocolate are a safe bet in my house. I am going to have to make these up this weekend! There is no way I can resist!
Pam Greer says
I love the combination of apples and chocolate chips!
Lila Asnani says
This looks so moist and delicious and Uhm….I don’t think I’d be able to wait overnight to serve these. I think my guest would be lucky if they came in time to taste these. They look wonderful!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
What a great after school snack cake!
Allie says
We’ve had this recipe in our family forever. Instead of cubed/chopped apples, we shred them, as well as adding more apples than the recipe calls for. It makes the cake amazingly moist while still having that apple taste.
Laura says
Allie, Guess I’m not surprised that other families have this recipe. Will have to try your tip for shredding the apples – sounds like it would make a moist and delicious version of this cake.
Lisa says
My family has had this recipe for many generations! Im curious to know it’s origin! We love it!
Laura says
Lisa, That’s so interesting. My friend Nancy considers it her recipe, but I’m not surprised that others have a version of this popular recipe.
Birgit says
This cake is delicious, but I cut the sugar in half and it was still sweet, in spite of the tart apples I used. I am giving it only three stars because of the excessive amount of sugar.
Laura says
Birgit, Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you found a level of sweetness that met your tastebuds and have no problem with cutting down sugar.
Lee R says
Can this be made with roasted apples?
Can it be frozen?
Laura says
Lee, I would imagine roasted apples would be OK, though if they get too soft, they might disintegrate in the cake. Yes, you can freeze it. I find that when freezing baked goods, it’s best to use a layer of paper (waxed, parchment of similar) between the cake and a plastic freezer bag. Otherwise, the cake takes on a peculiar smell after a while.
Rachel says
Can you add walnuts?
Laura says
Rachel, Sure, I don’t see why not. But do be sure you take account of the added bulk in terms of the texture.