Swedish apple cake is a delightful dessert that combines the best of pies and cakes. It features a soft, apple-rich sponge cake with a pie-crust bottom (and sometimes top), typically made using Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp apples.
The cake is seasoned with warm fall spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamom, and is often served with vanilla sauce or powdered sugar. Moist and tender, yet sturdy enough to hold the apples on top, which are cooked in cinnamon, sugar, and butter before being added to the cake. The result is a delicious cake with sweet, firm apple chunks and a flaky pastry crust.
Swedish Apple Cake Ingredients
– Butter – 1/2 cup of softened butter provided richness and moisture to the cake. Creaming it with sugar created a light texture.
– Sugar – The 1 2/3 cups of sugar not only sweetened the cake, but also helped with browning and added structure.
– Eggs – The 2 eggs acted as a binding agent, adding structure and stability. They also contributed to leavening and moisture.
– Vanilla – The 11⁄2 teaspoons of vanilla enhanced the overall flavor, adding a warm, aromatic note.
– Flour – The 11⁄2 cups of flour gave the cake structure and stability as the base of the batter.
– Baking soda – The 1 teaspoon helped the cake rise through the chemical leavening reaction with acidic ingredients like apples.
– Salt – The 1 teaspoon enhanced flavors and balanced the sweetness.
– Spices – Cinnamon and nutmeg added cozy, warm flavors that complemented the star ingredient – apples.
– Apples – The 3 cups of diced, peeled apples provided natural sweetness, moisture and tender bites throughout.
The perfect balance of these components resulted in a wonderfully moist and flavorful Swedish apple cake!
How I Made Swedish Apple Cake
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the cake will bake at the right temperature from the start.Grease a springform pan with butter or non-stick spray to prevent the cake from sticking.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together 1/2 cup butter and 1 2/3 cups sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, making the cake texture soft and airy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in 2 eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This step ensures the eggs blend smoothly with the butter and sugar. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla and mix until the batter is smooth and fragrant.
Mix in Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could result in a dense cake.
Add Apples: 3 cups of diced & peeled apples (about 2 large apples) should be added to the batter. Gently fold the apples into the batter until evenly distributed. The apples will add moisture, flavor, and texture to the cake.
Optional Nuts: If you’re using 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, fold them into the batter at this stage. They add extra crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the apples.
Sugar and Cinnamon Topping: In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the cake batter. This creates a sweet and spicy crust that will form during baking, giving the cake a nice flavor boost.
Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and spread it evenly. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Check the cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick or cake tester into the center. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool for at least 15-20 minutes in the pan. Once cooled, remove the sides of the springform pan and transfer the cake to a cooling rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy your moist, aromatic Swedish Apple Cake!
Pro Tips:
Use Tart Apples: For the best flavor, use tart apples like Granny Smith. Their acidity balances the sweetness of the cake, giving it a more complex and pleasant flavor.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: When adding the dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a dense texture instead of the light and fluffy cake you’re aiming for.
Let the Cake Cool in the Pan: Let the cake cool for a few minutes in the pan before removing it. This helps the cake set and prevents it from falling apart.
Test with a Toothpick: Baking times may vary slightly based on your oven, so it’s important to test the cake with a toothpick. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the cake is done.
Variations of the Recipe:
Add a Streusel Topping: For added texture and sweetness, top the cake with a streusel topping made from butter, flour, sugar, and cinnamon. This will create a crunchy layer on top of the cake as it bakes.
Use Other Fruit: While apples are classic for this recipe, you can experiment with other fruits like pears or berries for a twist. Make sure to adjust the baking time based on the fruit you choose.
Spice it Up: Add ground ginger, cloves, or allspice to the cake batter for extra warmth and spice, which can complement the apples beautifully.
Add a Glaze or Frosting: For a sweeter finish, drizzle the cake with a simple vanilla glaze or dust it with powdered sugar once it’s cooled.
Ingredient Substitutes:
Butter: You can substitute butter with vegetable oil or unsweetened applesauce for a lighter cake. However, butter provides the best flavor and texture.
Sugar: Use brown sugar for a deeper, molasses-like flavor, or substitute with coconut sugar for a more natural option.
Eggs: If you need an egg substitute, use flaxseed meal or applesauce as a binder. For every egg, use 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water.
Flour: Whole wheat flour can be used instead of all-purpose flour for a heartier, more rustic cake. For a gluten-free version, substitute with a gluten-free flour blend.
More Recipes
Swedish Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- 1 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 cups diced & peeled apples about 2 large apples
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the cake will bake at the right temperature from the start.Grease a springform pan with butter or non-stick spray to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together 1/2 cup butter and 1 2/3 cups sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, making the cake texture soft and airy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in 2 eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This step ensures the eggs blend smoothly with the butter and sugar. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla and mix until the batter is smooth and fragrant.
- Mix in Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could result in a dense cake.
- Add Apples: 3 cups of diced & peeled apples (about 2 large apples) should be added to the batter. Gently fold the apples into the batter until evenly distributed. The apples will add moisture, flavor, and texture to the cake.
- Optional Nuts: If you’re using 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, fold them into the batter at this stage. They add extra crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the apples.
- Sugar and Cinnamon Topping: In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the cake batter. This creates a sweet and spicy crust that will form during baking, giving the cake a nice flavor boost.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and spread it evenly. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Check the cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick or cake tester into the center. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool for at least 15-20 minutes in the pan. Once cooled, remove the sides of the springform pan and transfer the cake to a cooling rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy your moist, aromatic Swedish Apple Cake!