Here’s a cozy and comforting classic: Swedish Apple Cake (Äppelkaka). This rustic dessert is known for its tender sponge cake base topped with cinnamon-sugar apples — simple, fragrant, and perfect with a cup of coffee or a dollop of whipped cream.
🇸🇪 Swedish Apple Cake (Äppelkaka)
Ingredients:
For the cake:
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1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
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3/4 cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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1/2 cup milk
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1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp baking powder
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1/4 tsp salt
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1 tsp vanilla extract
For the apple topping:
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2–3 medium apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and thinly sliced
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2 tbsp granulated sugar
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
Optional:
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Powdered sugar, for dusting
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Whipped cream, custard, or vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions:
1. Preheat & Prepare Pan:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan.
2. Make the Batter:
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Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
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Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
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Mix in the vanilla.
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In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in batches, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined.
3. Prepare Apples:
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In a bowl, toss sliced apples with cinnamon and sugar.
4. Assemble:
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Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
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Arrange the apple slices in a circular pattern on top (slightly overlapping).
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Sprinkle any leftover cinnamon-sugar mix over the top.
5. Bake:
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Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the apples are golden.
6. Cool & Serve:
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Let cool slightly in the pan, then remove.
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Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Tips:
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Add chopped nuts (like almonds or walnuts) to the topping for crunch.
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Serve warm with vanilla sauce or cold with coffee — both are traditional!
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For a richer flavor, use brown sugar instead of white sugar in the topping.
Would you like a gluten-free version or a printable recipe card?