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