Swedish Apple Cake – Soft, Spiced & Perfectly Moist
Indulge in the cozy flavors of fall with this Swedish Apple Cake! Soft, moist cake layered with tender apples and a touch of warm spices makes it the perfect dessert for family gatherings, holiday treats, or an afternoon coffee break. Simple to make and absolutely irresistible!
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk and spatula
- Springform pan or round baking pan
- Baking sheet (to catch drips from juicy apples)
- Optional: food processor for crumble topping
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 3–4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Swedish varieties), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom (optional)
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Optional Toppings:
- ½ cup (50 g) sliced almonds or other nuts, toasted
- Crumble topping: ¼ cup flour, 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp sugar, mixed until crumbly
- Powdered sugar or simple glaze for finishing
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a springform or round pan with butter or line with parchment paper.
- Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and slice apples evenly. Toss lightly with cinnamon or lemon juice if desired.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and salt. Fold into the butter mixture gently to avoid overmixing.
- Incorporate Apples: Fold in half of the apple slices or layer them in the batter. Reserve remaining apples for topping.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle with optional crumble topping or toasted almonds.
- Bake: Transfer batter to prepared pan and bake for 40–50 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool & Serve: Let cool slightly before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a glaze if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Slice apples evenly for uniform baking.
- Avoid overmixing batter to keep the cake tender.
- Toast nuts for added aroma and crunch.
- Cake can be stored at room temperature for 2 days, refrigerated for 4–5 days, or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Optional glaze, powdered sugar, or crumble topping enhances flavor and presentation.