Irresistible Swedish Apple Cake Recipe for Autumn Bakers

Baking a delightful swedish apple cake brings pure comfort to any kitchen gathering.

Crisp autumn apples dance with warm cinnamon notes in this classic Nordic treat.

Memories of cozy evenings flood back with each sweet slice.

Grandmothers across Sweden have perfected this simple yet magical dessert through generations.

Rustic and homey, the cake celebrates seasonal fruit with remarkable elegance.

Soft crumbs mingle with tender apple pieces, creating a harmonious texture.

You’ll adore how effortlessly this recipe comes together, promising pure deliciousness in every bite.

Why Swedish Apple Cake Is a Classic

• Perfect for spontaneous baking sessions, taking less than an hour from start to finish.
• Appeals to all ages with its simple, comforting flavors and soft, moist texture that everyone will love.
• Enjoy warm or at room temperature, pair with ice cream or dust with powdered sugar for multiple delicious variations.

What You Need to Make This Scandinavian Favorite

• All-Purpose Flour: The fundamental base that provides structure and texture to the cake, best when fresh and sifted.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, sweet spice that complements the apples perfectly.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy moisture and helps create a tender crumb, should be softened at room temperature.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a golden brown exterior.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor and aromatic sweetness.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth, moist batter.

• Apples: Fresh, crisp apples that hold their shape during baking, preferably a firm variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor.

How to Bake Swedish Apple Cake Step-by-Step

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan or line with parchment paper.

Step 2: Prepare Apple Slices

• Peel apples
• Core apples
• Slice apples into thin wedges

Sprinkle cinnamon over apple slices.

Step 3: Create Dry Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt

Whisk ingredients together thoroughly.

Step 4: Blend Creamy Base

In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing completely after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 5: Merge Mixtures

Gradually fold dry ingredients into butter mixture. Alternate adding milk. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.

Step 6: Construct Cake

Pour batter into prepared pan. Arrange apple slices on top, gently pressing into batter. Sprinkle additional cinnamon across surface.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide pan into oven. Bake 45-50 minutes until golden brown. Test doneness with toothpick- it should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool And Enjoy

Let cake rest 10-15 minutes. Remove from pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or add vanilla ice cream scoop.

Tips for Soft Apples and Moist Cake

• Slice Apples Uniformly: Cut apples into thin, even slices to ensure consistent baking and beautiful presentation across the cake.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss apple slices with a little lemon juice to stop oxidation and maintain their fresh, bright appearance.
• Master Gentle Mixing: Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture carefully to avoid tough cake texture, stopping when ingredients are just combined.
• Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother batter and more even cake rise during baking.
• Check Cake Doneness: Insert a toothpick at cake's center- if it comes out clean with minimal crumbs, your Swedish Apple Cake is perfectly baked.

Keeping Swedish Apple Cake Fresh for Days

• Store leftover Swedish Apple Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain its freshness and prevent drying out.
• Cover the cake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before storing to protect its texture and prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore the cake's soft, tender texture.
• Slice the cake, wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to store for up to 2 months, thawing at room temperature before enjoying.

Best Pairings for a Slice of Swedish Apple Cake

• Enhance the warm, spiced apple cake with a cold scoop of classic vanilla ice cream, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that complements the cake's rich, cinnamon-infused texture.
• Brew a fragrant cup of cinnamon tea to mirror the cake's spicy notes, offering a soothing and harmonious beverage that elevates the dessert's warmth and comfort.
• Drizzle a smooth, golden caramel sauce over the cake to intensify its sweetness and add a luxurious, buttery dimension that deepens the apple and cinnamon flavors.
• Top the cake with a light, airy dollop of freshly whipped cream, providing a delicate, creamy balance that cuts through the cake's richness and adds a touch of elegance.

Twists on This Traditional Treat

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the cake remains moist and tender.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water), use plant-based butter, and choose non-dairy milk.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Sprinkle chopped almonds or walnuts over the apple layer before baking, adding extra texture and rich flavor to the cake.
• Low-Sugar Option: Reduce granulated sugar by half and use stevia or monk fruit sweetener, paired with naturally sweet baking apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji.

Swedish Apple Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Scrumptious Swedish apple cake reveals Nordic baking magic with layers of tender apples nestled in buttery, cinnamon-spiced dough. Sweet memories of Swedish kitchens bloom deliciously when you savor each warm, comforting slice.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed

Spices and Seasonings:

• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional, for extra warmth)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for traditional flavor)

Liquid and Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup milk

Apple Topping:

• 3 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Optional Garnish:

• ¼ cup sliced almonds
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by coating an 8-inch round pan with butter and a light flour dusting, ensuring smooth cake release.
2. Transform crisp apples into delicate, thin wedges, creating uniform slices that will nestle beautifully across the cake’s surface.
3. Create a foundation of dry ingredients by whisking flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl.
4. Craft a creamy base by vigorously blending softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy.
5. Introduce eggs individually into the butter mixture, incorporating each thoroughly to maintain a smooth, consistent texture.
6. Gently fold vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, allowing the aromatic essence to permeate the batter.
7. Alternate adding dry ingredient mixture and milk to the butter blend, stirring minimally to prevent toughening the cake’s delicate structure.
8. Transfer the silky batter into the prepared pan, creating an even layer as the foundation for apple decoration.
9. Artfully arrange apple slices across the batter’s surface, slightly pressing them to ensure beautiful integration.
10. Enhance the cake’s flavor profile by sprinkling a delicate layer of cinnamon and sugar over the apple arrangement.
11. Slide the cake into a preheated 350F oven, allowing it to transform into a golden, fragrant dessert over 45-50 minutes.
12. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake’s center – it should emerge clean and dry.
13. Allow the cake to rest and settle for 10-15 minutes, enabling it to release from the pan’s edges naturally.
14. Serve the cake warmly, optionally adorned with a light powdered sugar dusting or accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

• Adjust apple thickness for varying textures, thinner slices create a more delicate cake while thicker slices provide more substantial fruit chunks.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or rice flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Consider using coconut sugar or maple syrup as healthier sugar substitutions that add unique depth to the cake’s flavor profile.
• Test cake doneness by gently pressing the center; it should spring back and not leave an indentation, ensuring perfect baking consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Swedish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg