This delightful cake combines the comforting flavors of apples, crunchy walnuts, and semolina, baked into a moist and hearty texture, perfect for any season. Topped with a luxurious chocolate ganache, this rustic dessert marries simple ingredients with sophisticated flavors, offering a slice of indulgence that’s hard to resist.
Why You’ll Love This: The combination of grated apples and ground walnuts gives the cake an incredibly moist texture and nutty flavor, while the semolina provides a unique, slightly grainy bite that sets this cake apart from traditional flour-based cakes. The rich chocolate ganache topping adds a layer of decadence that makes this cake a perfect treat for special occasions or a weekend baking project.
Perfect Occasion: Ideal for gatherings, family dinners, or as a special treat to enjoy with coffee. This cake is also perfect for festive occasions, bringing a touch of elegance with its glossy chocolate ganache topping. Serve it at autumn harvest parties, holiday celebrations, or simply when you crave a slice of something deliciously different.
Decoration Tips: For an added touch of elegance, sprinkle the ganache with chopped walnuts or a light dusting of powdered sugar before it sets. You could also adorn it with thin apple slices arranged in a fan shape for a beautiful, natural decoration that hints at the flavors inside the cake.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 250 g semolina
- 180 g ground walnuts
- 180 g sugar
- 250 ml milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 grated apples
- 100 ml oil
- 1 baking powder packet
- Bourbon sugar or vanilla sugar for flavoring
For the Ganache:
- 160 g baking chocolate
- 160 ml heavy cream
- Alternative classic glaze: 200 g chocolate melted with 3 tablespoons oil
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). Line a baking pan with parchment paper or grease and flour it.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs with sugar until fluffy. Mix in the oil and milk.
- Gradually add semolina, ground walnuts, grated apples, and baking powder, mixing until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.
- Make the Ganache:
- Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until it just begins to boil.
- Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate in a bowl. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- If using the classic glaze, melt chocolate with oil instead and mix until smooth.
- Assemble the Cake:
- If the cake is cooled, pour the ganache over the cake. If using a springform pan, you might consider removing the ring after the chocolate has slightly set in the refrigerator to ensure clean edges.
- Refrigerate the cake with the ganache to set slightly before serving. This makes the ganache easier to spread and prevents it from dripping down the sides.
- Serving Suggestions:
- Slice and serve the cake at room temperature or slightly chilled. Pair it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert experience.
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors will continue to meld and the moisture from the apples will keep the cake deliciously tender.
Enjoy this sumptuous Apple, Semolina, and Walnut Cake with Chocolate Ganache, a perfect blend of rustic charm and rich flavors!
