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Simple Swedish Apple Cake (Äppelkaka)

Close-up of a moist slice of Swedish apple cake with caramelized apples on top, served on a white plate.
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Make this moist and tender Swedish Apple Cake, a traditional Scandinavian dessert flavored with cinnamon and cardamom. It is easy to bake and perfect for serving with coffee.

Ingredients

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  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 3 medium apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, for topping
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cardamom, cinnamon, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and 3/4 cup sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. Spread half of the batter evenly into the prepared cake pan.
  7. Arrange half of the thinly sliced apples over the batter layer.
  8. Spread the remaining batter over the apples. Top with the remaining apple slices, arranging them in a decorative pattern if desired.
  9. In a small bowl, mix the 2 tablespoons of topping sugar with the 1/2 teaspoon of topping cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apples.
  10. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  11. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes before inverting it onto the rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • For a more traditional flavor, substitute 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg with the cardamom and cinnamon in the batter.
  • Serve this cake warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
  • If you prefer a rustic look, you can leave the apple skins on the slices.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/swedish-apple-cake-recipe-easy/