Äppelkaka (Swedish Apple Cake) is a classic, comforting dessert that combines the flavors of fresh apples with a soft, buttery cake. It’s easy to make and perfect for cozy gatherings. Here’s a simple recipe for a traditional Swedish apple cake:
Ingredients:
For the cake:
- 200 g (1 cup) butter, softened
- 200 g (1 cup) sugar
- 2 eggs
- 200 g (1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2-3 medium-sized apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)
- Zest from 1 lemon (optional)
For topping (optional):
- 2 tbsp sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Apples:
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin wedges. If you want, you can toss the slices in a little cinnamon and sugar to add extra flavor.
- Make the Cake Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, vanilla sugar (or vanilla extract), and cinnamon.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. If the batter feels too thick, you can add a splash of milk or water to loosen it.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Grease and flour a round cake pan (about 24 cm in diameter) or line it with parchment paper.
- Spread the cake batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Arrange the apple slices on top of the batter in a circular pattern, or however you like.
- Optional Topping:
- If you want a sweet, spiced topping, sprinkle a mixture of sugar and cinnamon over the apples before baking.
- Bake the Cake:
- Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 30–40 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- If the apples start to brown too much before the cake is fully baked, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it. Serve warm or at room temperature.
- This apple cake is delicious on its own, or you can serve it with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or custard.
Enjoy your homemade äppelkaka! It’s a perfect treat for any occasion, especially when fresh apples are in season.