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    Home » Recipes » Cakes

    Traditional Swedish Apple Cake (Äppelkaka)

    Published: Sep 2, 2023 by Neriz · This post contains some affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Feel free to prepare this delicious Swedish Apple Cake (Äppelkaka) any time of the year! With cooked slices of apples on top, it’s perfect for coffee breaks or light after-meal desserts!

    A freshly baked Swedish apple cake, ready for slicing, with powdered sugar and fresh apples next to it.

    Like Swedish cinnamon buns, I make this classic Swedish cake all year round.

    I typically use different types of apples when Swedish apples are not in season — which I did in this recipe by using red gala apples.

    What is a traditional Swedish apple cake?

    Although it’s topped with cooked apple slices, it is unlike your usual soft apple cake.

    Known locally as ‘äppelkaka,’ a traditional Swedish apple cake has a texture closer to a pudding than a cake.

    It’s still absolutely delicious though, and if you want to enjoy it for fika or dessert like the locals, pour a generous helping of vanilla sauce on it.

    Absolutely delicious!

    FOR MORE AUTHENTIC SWEDISH RECIPES, CHECK OUT THESE POSTS!

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    Ingredients

    All the ingredients you need to make an authentic Swedish apple cake at home.
    • Apples – as you see from the image above, I use red gala for this recipe, but you can also use your favorite red apples for baking.
    • Flour – all-purpose flour is all you need for this äppelkaka recipe.
    • Honey – mild-flavored honey would be excellent.
    • Butter – ensure it’s softened before preparing this recipe.
    • Eggs – medium-sized (63 to 73 grams per piece) and at room temperature.
    • Sugar – granulated white sugar is excellent for making Swedish apple coffee cake.
    • Vanilla extract and baking powder – just use your favorite brand.
    A slice of authentic Swedish apple cake, served with vanilla sauce on the side.

    Preparation

    Start making your äppelkaka by greasing an 8-inch cake pan with butter and dusting it with a bit of flour.

    Combine the apples and honey with four tablespoons of water in a small saucepan.

    Place the pan uncovered over medium-low heat. 

    Softening the apple slices by cooking it a bit prior to adding to the cake batter.

    Mix gently, careful not to break the slices of apples, and cook for fifteen to twenty minutes.

    Remove from the heat and drain the apple, then set aside.

    Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and prepare your cake pan by greasing it with butter and dusting it lightly with flour.

    Sift flour and baking powder in a medium bowl.

    Sifting the flour and baking powder for preparing äppelkaka at home.

    Using a larger bowl, combine sugar and butter.

    Combining sugar and butter as the first step in preparing the batter for an authentic Swedish apple cake.

    Add vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time while mixing.

    Adding eggs one at a time is important in making äppelkaka at home.

    Add the sifted flour and baking powder.

    Use a spatula to fold the dry ingredients gently to combine — note that it is a dry batter.

    The final texture of the batter for a traditional apple cake from Sweden.

    Transfer three-quarters of the batter into the prepared cake pan.

    Use a spatula to even the top.

    Authentic apple cake batter from Sweden, placed in a cake pan, before adding the apples.

    Arrange the drained apples on top.

    Softened apple slices added on top of äppelkaka batter.

    Use your hands to add the remaining batter on top of the apples randomly.

    Bits of äppelkaka batter scatterred on top of the slices of apples.

    Place your äppelkaka in the middle of the oven.

    Bake for forty to forty-five minutes or until it turns golden and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.

    Set aside to cool.

    Your old-fashioned Swedish apple cake is now ready for slicing and serving!

    A closer shot of the sides of a traditional äppelkaka, highlighting the golden color of the cake.

    Helpful notes

    • Since it’s a dry batter, you must use a spatula or wooden spoon to transfer it into the cake pan.
    • If using a springform pan, removing the sides to smoothen the cake’s top and just placing it back when adding the apple slices is easier.

    Recipe variation

    • Syrup. Some locals use light syrup instead of honey.
    • Vanilla sugar. If you have it on hand, you can replace the extract with the same amount of vanilla sugar.
    A closer shot of a slice of äppelkaka, with vanilla sauce dripping from the top.

    Serving suggestions for old-fashioned Swedish apple cake

    While sprinkling with powdered sugar is fine, we always serve it with vanilla sauce.

    Remember when I said it resembles a pudding than a cake? Yep, that’s why vanilla sauce is excellent with it.

    So what do you think? Give this äppelkaka recipe a try this weekend!

    OR GET MORE IDEAS FROM THIS LIST OF INTERNATIONAL CAKE RECIPES!

    FOR MORE NORDIC RECIPES, CHECK OUT THESE RECIPES BY COUNTRY!

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    📖 Recipe

    Feature image for Swedish apple cake, locally known as äppelkaka, dusted with some powdered sugar.

    Traditional Swedish Apple Cake Recipe (Äppelkaka)

    Feel free to prepare this delicious Swedish apple cake (Äppelkaka) any time of the year! With cooked slices of apples on top, it's perfect for coffee breaks or light after-meal desserts!
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Swedish
    Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 320kcal
    Author: Neriz

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Mixing Bowls
    • Strainer for Sifting
    • Hand Mixer
    • Rubber Spatula
    • 8-inch Cake Pan

    Ingredients

    • 500 grams apples (1 pound or 3 medium or 5 small ones), chopped into thin wedges
    • 4 tablespoons honey
    • 4 tablespoons water
    • 240 grams flour (8.45 ounces, or about 1 & 1/2 cups), plus more for dusting the cake pan
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 125 grams butter (4.40 ounces or about 1 stick + 2 & 1/2 teaspoons), softened, and more for greasing
    • 200 grams sugar (7 ounces or about 3/4 cup)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 medium eggs

    Instructions

    Prepare the apples:

    • Combine apples, honey, and water in a small saucepan.  
    • Cook for about 15 to 20 mins over medium-low heat.  
    • Drain the apples and set them aside — throw the liquid away.

    Prepare your äppelkaka:

    • Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and prepare your cake pan by greasing it with butter and dusting it with some flour.
    • Sift flour and baking powder.
    • Cream sugar and butter in a separate, bigger mixing bowl.
    • Add vanilla extract and eggs (one at a time) and continue mixing.
    • Add the sifted dry ingredients and use a spatula to fold them.
    • Transfer about 3/4 of the batter into the pan and use an angled spatula to even the top. 
    • Add the drained apples and (try) to arrange them evenly.
    • Randomly place the remaining batter on top.
    • Place in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until it turns golden on top or a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.
    • Set aside cool.
    • Your traditional Swedish apple cake is now ready for serving!

    Notes

    • Cook’s Tip:  You would need a spatula or wooden spoon to transfer the dry apple cake batter into the prepared pan — you cannot pour it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 180mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 387IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @foodandjourneys or tag #foodandjourneys!

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