This cozy and comforting Swedish Apple Cake combines tender, spiced cake with tart, juicy apples and a hint of cinnamon. Perfect for fika (Swedish coffee break), family dinners, or as a delightful fall treat, this cake is versatile and easy to make. Serve warm with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar for an indulgent dessert that’s both rustic and elegant.
Ingredients
For the Cake Batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional, for extra warmth)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for traditional flavor)
For the Apple Topping:
- 3 medium apples (e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional Topping:
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds for garnish
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch springform pan (or a regular 9-inch cake pan).
2️⃣ Prepare the Apple Topping:
- In a medium bowl, toss the apple slices with lemon juice, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside.
3️⃣ Make the Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom.
- In another bowl, whisk the melted butter, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix to keep the cake light.
4️⃣ Assemble the Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Arrange the apple slices in a circular pattern on top, slightly pressing them into the batter.
- Sprinkle sliced almonds on top if desired.
5️⃣ Bake:
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown. The cake should spring back when lightly pressed.
6️⃣ Cool and Serve:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Nutrition (per serving, approx.):
- Calories: 260
- Protein: 4g
- Carbs: 34g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 125mg
Tips & Variations
- Best Apples: Tart apples like Granny Smith add a delightful contrast, but sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji work well too.
- Add Nuts: For crunch, mix chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter or sprinkle them on top with the almonds.
- Extra Spice: Enhance the warmth by adding a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the batter.
- Caramel Drizzle: Serve each slice with a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent twist.
- Storage: Keep at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
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