Apple & Walnut Spice Cake with Malt Vinegar

I was feeling a bit Irish and thought of this

warm-you-up-by-the-hearth-of-the-fire recipe

using malt vinegar. 

It's a super-moist cake filled to the brim with all kinds of goodies (think raisins, walnuts...),

and the tartness of the vinegar cuts beautifully through the sweetness.

Apple & Walnut Spice Cake with Malt Vinegar

{Note: Nutritional info to come!}

Ingredients

Cake:

One box of yellow cake mix

1/2 c of water

1/2 c applesauce

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons of malt vinegar

1 egg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp all-spice

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground whole cloves

1 pinch of salt

2 tbs unsalted butter, divided

1 Golden Delicious apple, peeled and medium-diced

1/3 c of raisins

1/2 c walnuts, chopped, toasted, and divided

1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and medium-diced

...

Crumb:

1/2 c regular oats, toasted

 1/3 c brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 pinch of salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbs malt vinegar

Directions

Yes, it seems like a lot of ingredients. 

And it is!

 

But I promise you this cake comes together in no time.

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a large 9 x 13 glass baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.

Heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat and melt one tablespoon of the butter.  Add the Golden Delicous apple and the raisins and saute for a few minutes until lightly browned.  Set aside to cool.

In a large mixing bowl,

combine the cake mix, water, applesauce, and malt vinegar whisking well.  Add the egg making sure it's fully incorporated.  Stir in the spices, and then add the cooled apples and raisin mixture, the walnuts, and the raw Granny Smith apple.  Pour into the baking pan and bake for 20-22 minutes or until the cake is almost set.  (Note: A toothpick inserted into the cake should come out slightly wet.).

While the cake is baking,

in a small bowl combine the toasted oats, remaining 1/4 c of walnuts, the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.  Mix well and stir in the vanilla extract and malt vinegar.  Finally, melt the remaining one tablespoon of butter and drizzle over the mixture stirring to combine.  When the cake is almost-but not quite-set, sprinkle the crumb mixture over the top and bake for a few minutes longer until done. (Note: A toothpick inserted into the cake should come out with plenty of crumbs.)

Allow the cake to cool before cutting into squares. 

Serve alone or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and...

Enjoy!