Name: Swedish Apple Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 3 large apples, peeled and sliced; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 2 eggs

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Swedish Apple Cake is a delightful dessert that brings the comforting flavors of tender apples, warm cinnamon, and a soft, buttery cake together in perfect harmony. This traditional cake is incredibly simple to make yet offers a satisfying and cozy experience with every bite. The apples create a lovely base layer that caramelizes slightly during baking, infusing the entire cake with rich, fruity sweetness. The combination of sugar, flour, cinnamon, and eggs results in a light, moist cake that pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

This cake is a fantastic way to showcase fresh apples and is perfect for a family gathering, a coffee break, or a special occasion. With just a few pantry staples and minimal preparation time, you can enjoy a delicious homemade dessert that feels like a warm hug. Whether you’re making it for a cozy fall gathering or just because, this Swedish Apple Cake is sure to be a hit.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Swedish Apple Cake is the epitome of comfort food. The soft, cake-like texture is complemented by the natural sweetness of the apples, and the cinnamon adds a warm, inviting flavor. What makes this recipe truly special is its simplicity—it requires just a few ingredients and is easy to make, yet it yields a dessert that feels decadent. It’s a great way to turn simple apples into something extraordinary. The cake is incredibly versatile as well—serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream, or enjoy it on its own with a cup of coffee or tea. Perfect for any occasion, this cake is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

Apples
Sugar
All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt
Ground cinnamon
Butter
Eggs

Variations

While this Swedish Apple Cake is delicious as written, here are a few ways to customize it:

Nuts: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for some extra texture and flavor.
Spices: Experiment with spices like nutmeg, allspice, or cloves to add depth to the flavor.
Caramel: Drizzle some caramel sauce over the cake before serving for an extra touch of sweetness.
Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make this cake suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
Citrus Zest: Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the batter for a refreshing citrus twist.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan to prevent the cake from sticking.

Step 2: Arrange the Apples

Peel and slice the apples. Arrange them evenly at the bottom of the prepared cake pan, ensuring they form a nice layer for the cake to bake on top of.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Stir well to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.

Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients

Stir in the melted butter and eggs to the dry ingredients. Mix everything together until the batter is smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Pour the Batter

Pour the prepared batter evenly over the apples in the cake pan. Spread it out with a spatula to ensure an even layer.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden and the apples should be soft and caramelized.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving. It’s delicious on its own, but you can also serve it warm with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a special treat.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Apple Variety: Choose firm apples that hold their shape during baking, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. These apples will provide the best texture and flavor.
Melted Butter: Make sure the butter is fully melted before adding it to the batter to ensure smooth mixing.
Check for Doneness: The cake is done when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If it’s still wet, continue baking for a few more minutes.
Serve Warm: Swedish Apple Cake is especially delicious when served warm, but it also tastes great at room temperature the next day.

How to Serve

Swedish Apple Cake is perfect on its own, but you can elevate it by serving it with a side of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For an extra touch, drizzle with caramel sauce or sprinkle powdered sugar on top before serving. This cake is ideal for dessert after a hearty meal or as a sweet treat with a cup of coffee or tea. You can also enjoy it as a comforting breakfast or snack.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Swedish Apple Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also keep it in the refrigerator if you prefer, but make sure it is covered tightly to prevent it from drying out.

Freezing

To freeze the cake, allow it to cool completely before wrapping it in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To thaw, place the cake in the refrigerator overnight, or allow it to come to room temperature before serving.

Reheating

To reheat, simply place a slice in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds or warm individual slices in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes until heated through.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of apple?

Yes! While tart apples like Granny Smith are ideal, you can use any variety of apple you prefer. Sweet apples like Fuji or Gala will work as well.

2. Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, this cake can be made ahead of time and stored for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage.

3. How do I prevent the apples from sinking in the cake?

To help the apples stay at the bottom, ensure that the batter is thick enough when poured over the apples. You can also toss the apple slices in a bit of flour before arranging them in the pan.

4. Can I add nuts to this cake?

Yes, adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter can give the cake an added crunch and flavor.

5. Can I substitute the butter with something else?

You can substitute the butter with vegetable oil or coconut oil if needed, but butter provides the best flavor and texture for this cake.

6. What if I don’t have ground cinnamon?

If you don’t have ground cinnamon, you can substitute with a combination of nutmeg and allspice or even use apple pie spice for a similar flavor.

7. Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make the cake gluten-free.

8. How do I know when the cake is done?

The cake is done when the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If it’s wet, continue baking for a few more minutes.

9. Can I serve this cake cold?

While this cake is delicious at room temperature, it’s best served warm, especially with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.

10. Can I use other fruits in this cake?

Yes, you can experiment with other fruits like pears or peaches, but apples are traditional and work best in this recipe.

Conclusion

Swedish Apple Cake is the perfect combination of tender apples, warm cinnamon, and a soft, buttery cake that’s easy to make and absolutely delicious. Whether you’re enjoying it for a special occasion or a cozy afternoon treat, this cake will quickly become a favorite in your household. Serve it with whipped cream or ice cream for an extra indulgence, or enjoy it as is. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a comforting dessert that everyone will love.