Ina Garten’s Rum Raisin Apple Cake Recipe with Autumn Flavor

Rum Raisin Apple Cake captures the soul of cozy autumn afternoons with its rich, warming spices and deep comforting flavors.

Soft, tender crumbs invite sweet memories of family gatherings and nostalgic kitchen moments.

Dense and moist, this cake transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary through careful technique and thoughtful combinations.

Fragrant cinnamon and nutmeg dance alongside plump raisins soaked in dark rum, creating layers of complex taste sensations.

Subtle notes of whole wheat flour add earthy depth to the dessert’s elegant profile.

Homemade desserts like these connect us to traditions of warmth and love: prepare to fall in love.

Tips for Rich Texture and Warm Spice

• Rum-Soak Like a Pro: Let those raisins swim in rum overnight to infuse maximum flavor and create juicy, boozy pockets throughout the cake.
• Flour Power Technique: Gently spoon flour into measuring cups and level with a knife to ensure precise, light cake texture without compressing.
• Gentle Mixing Magic: Fold dry ingredients into wet just until combined – overmixing develops gluten and can create a dense, tough cake.
• Spice Freshness Matters: Invest in high-quality, recently purchased ground cinnamon and nutmeg to guarantee vibrant, aromatic cake flavor.
• Oven Watch Strategy: Set a timer 5-10 minutes before recommended baking time and test cake's doneness with a toothpick to prevent dry, overbaked results.

Storage Notes for This Fruity Cake

• Preserve Flavor Integrity: Seal the cake in an airtight glass container to maintain its moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other refrigerated items. This method keeps the rum-soaked raisin notes crisp and vibrant.
• Freezing Strategy: Slice the cake before freezing to enable easier portioning and quicker thawing. Wrap individual slices in parchment paper, then place in a freezer-safe ziplock bag to prevent freezer burn and preserve texture.
• Counter Storage Option: If enjoying within 2 days, store the cake at room temperature covered with a clean kitchen towel. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent drying out, ensuring the cake remains deliciously moist and ready to serve.

Add-On Ideas for Even More Flavor

• Bourbon Bliss Apple Cake: Swap rum for bourbon, adding a rich, smoky depth to the classic recipe. Use bourbon-soaked raisins for an extra layer of complexity.
• Maple Pecan Apple Cake: Replace walnuts with pecans and add a splash of maple syrup to the batter. Drizzle additional maple glaze on top for a sweet, autumnal touch.
• Spiced Rum Raisin Apple Cake: Enhance the cake's warmth by adding ground ginger and cardamom to the spice mix. Use dark rum for a more intense flavor profile.
• Orange Zest Apple Cake: Incorporate fresh orange zest into the batter and use orange liqueur instead of rum for a bright, citrusy variation. Sprinkle candied orange peel on top for extra texture.

Rum Raisin Apple Cake Recap

Rum raisin apple cake emerges as pure culinary magic from Ina Garten’s kitchen repertoire.

Fragrant spices dance with plump rum-soaked raisins, creating sensational flavor profiles that elevate classic dessert traditions.

Warm cinnamon and nutmeg whisper sweet comfort in each delectable slice.

Walnut pieces add delightful crunch against moist cake textures, making this recipe a total sensory experience.

Baking enthusiasts can easily master this sophisticated yet approachable dessert with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.

Grab your mixing bowl, invite friends over, savor each delicious moment, share this recipe, spread baking joy, and let culinary creativity spark connections that warm hearts and delight palates.

Why Rum Raisin Apple Cake Feels Nostalgic

• Booze-Soaked Raisin Delight: This cake transforms ordinary raisins into flavor-packed gems by letting them luxuriate in rum overnight, creating a deep, rich taste that elevates the entire dessert.
• Warm Comfort in Every Slice: The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cocoa powder delivers a cozy, autumnal warmth that wraps you in a comforting embrace, perfect for chilly evenings or afternoon tea.
• Quick and Easy Baking Magic: With simple mixing techniques and a short baking time of just 25 minutes, this cake offers a hassle-free baking experience that even novice bakers can master confidently, making homemade desserts accessible and enjoyable.

What You’ll Need to Make Rum Raisin Apple Cake

• Rum: Rich flavor enhancer for raisins, choose a dark or spiced rum for deeper taste.
• Applesauce: Adds moisture and natural sweetness to the cake, use unsweetened for better control.

• Raisins, Walnuts: Classic cake add-ins for texture and depth, select plump raisins and fresh crunchy walnuts.

• All-Purpose Flour, Whole Wheat Flour: Provides structure and nutty undertone, mix for complex flavor profile.
• Cornstarch: Helps create tender cake texture, ensures a soft crumb.
• Baking Soda: Leavening agent that helps cake rise and become light.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that complement apple and rum flavors, use freshly ground for best results.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds subtle chocolate notes and deepens cake color.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.

• Butter, Sugar: Foundation of cake's richness and sweetness, use room temperature butter for smooth mixing.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides structure, use large fresh eggs.

How to Bake Ina’s Flavor-Packed Apple Cake

Step 1: Soak Raisins in Rum

Grab a small bowl and pour rum over raisins. Let them luxuriate and absorb the liquid overnight or for at least 4 hours, creating a deep, rich flavor profile.

Step 2: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm up the oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter and dust with flour, ensuring smooth cake release.

Step 3: Create Creamy Butter Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, whip butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and airy. Gently incorporate eggs one at a time, then blend in smooth applesauce.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Whole wheat flour
• Cornstarch
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Cocoa powder

Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until fully integrated.

Step 5: Incorporate Flavor Boosters

• Rum-soaked raisins
• Chopped walnuts

Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide pan into preheated oven. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into cake center – it should emerge clean.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Transfer cake to wire rack. Allow to cool completely before slicing and serving this decadent treat.

Ina Garten Rum Raisin Apple Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s rum raisin apple cake delivers a rich, comforting dessert that blends Caribbean rum-soaked raisins with tender New York apples. Sweet spices and moist cake layers promise a delightful autumn treat that will transport taste buds to a warm kitchen filled with nostalgic flavors.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 200g / 1 cup white sugar
• 115g / ½ cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 360ml / 1 ½ cups applesauce
• 125g / 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 125g / 1 cup whole wheat flour

Dried Fruits and Nuts:

• 85g / ½ cup golden raisins
• 85g / ½ cup raisins
• 60g / ½ cup chopped walnuts

Spices and Additional Ingredients:

• 80ml / ⅓ cup dark rum
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

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Instructions

1. Infuse the raisins by submerging them in rum within a compact vessel, allowing them to macerate overnight or for a minimum of 4 hours to enhance their flavor complexity.
2. Calibrate the oven temperature to 190°C / 375°F and meticulously coat a 23×33 cm / 9×13-inch baking vessel with butter and flour to prevent adhesion.
3. Utilize an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough integration after each addition, then fold in the applesauce for moisture.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, amalgamate flour varieties, cornstarch, baking soda, aromatic spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, salt, and cocoa powder. Systematically introduce the dry ingredient blend into the wet mixture, stirring until a uniform batter emerges.
5. Drain the rum-soaked raisins and gently fold them into the batter along with chopped walnuts, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
6. Transfer the complete batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly to guarantee consistent texture and baking.
7. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake until a wooden skewer inserted into the cake’s center emerges pristine and free from wet batter, approximately 25 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and permit the cake to cool completely on a wire rack, allowing it to set and develop its full flavor profile before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Prevent raisins from sinking to the bottom by tossing them in a bit of flour before adding to the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the cake.
• Swap rum with apple juice or orange juice for a non-alcoholic version that still adds moisture and depth to the cake’s flavor.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, so take eggs, butter, and milk out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
• Create a moist cake by wrapping the baked cake in plastic wrap while it’s still warm, which helps lock in the moisture and enhance the flavor.
• Freeze leftover cake slices individually for up to three months, making it easy to enjoy a quick treat whenever you want.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 366 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg