I learned this easy pie cake recipe few years back, in a cooking school in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I was in town to attend the opera festival (four nights, four operas under the stars, #bliss), but I also had some time to explore the Southwestern cuisine.
The cooking class was based on a cool cookbook called A Painter’s Kitchen: Recipes from the kitchen of Georgia O’Keefe by Margaret Wood. (Check it out here – it’s one of my favorites).

Margaret lived with Georgia on her ranch for five years between 1977 and 1982, and was in charge of making meals for the famous painter.
She came by to say hello and assist the cooking instructor, and mentioned this pie cake was one of Georgia’s favorite.

I love it too because it’s easy, quick and you’ll only need basic supermarket ingredients:
- Apples – use firm, sour apples such as Granny Smith
- Nuts – choose between walnuts and pecans, or use half and half
- Flour – basic unbleached all-purpose flour
- Brown sugar – for that subtle caramelized flavor
- Spices – the always appreciated combo of cinnamon & nutmeg

The apple walnut pie cake is a great every-day coffee cake to have in your repertoire, but you can also whip it out for Thanksgiving, with a scoop of ice cream on top.

While you’re here, take a look at these other cakes:
Rocky Road Apple Chocolate Cake
Upside-Down Cranberry Cake
Blueberry Crumb Cake
Now you.
Have you been to Santa Fe? Do you like Georgia O’Keefe as much as I do?
Tell me in the comments.
Print
Apple Walnut Pie Cake
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Cook Time: 40 minutes
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Total Time: 1 hour
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Yield: Serves 6–8 1x
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Cuisine: American
Description
Easy coffee cake made in a pie pan and using diced apples and walnuts. Great for everyday or on Thanksgiving.
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons (½ cup/113 g) softened unsalted butter, plus extra to grease pie pan
- ¾ cup (107 g) packed brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup (150 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2½ cups (270 g) peeled, diced firm apples (such as Granny Smith)
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or pecans
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- Ice cream (optional)
- Powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F/180 C degrees. Grease a 9-inch round pie pan or a 9-inch square baking pan with butter or spray with oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl combine the butter, sugar and egg. Whisk until blended.
- Add the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and nutmeg, and mix to combine.
- Stir in the apples and walnuts, then add the hot water, and mix.
- Transfer the mixture to the pie pan, spread evenly over the bottom and smooth out the top.
- Bake in the oven until golden brown on top, about 35–40 minutes.
- Let cool on a kitchen counter. Slice and serve dusted with powdered sugar or with ice cream.
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it Michal!
Ooh, can’t wait to try this!