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Everyone loves this Danish Apple Cake with a sweet tender crumb. It's laced and topped with lots of delicious cinnamon-sugar apple slices and it's perfect for entertaining or to make an ordinary day special.
In Denmark, apple cake is called Æblekage (pronounced like this) which, I discovered, has a zillion different variations within the tiny country! I googled Æblekage and was shocked at the huge list with so many variations. There's everything from beautiful tart-like cakes to pudding with apples layered in glasses to apple topped cakes, similar to my Danish Apple Cake. Some are made with sliced apples, some with diced apples and some with applesauce! Check it out for yourself!
An anytime cake!
I love that this cake is elegant enough to be served for a special occasion and, at the same time, is now super easy to put together.
The Topping,
I can't imagine anything more delicious than this Danish Apple Cake. The cake itself has an incredibly tender crumb and is laced with cinnamon-sugar coated apples. The artistic swirl of apples on the top makes it look like something from a fine bakery.
I remember the first time I made it. I peeked into the oven halfway through the baking process and did a little squeal, it was so pretty! I could hardly wait to finish baking and then, was quite impatient till it was cool enough to take a taste. It didn't disappoint, not even a smidgen and there are always happy faces around the table when I serve this Danish Apple Cake.
What kind of apples should I use for this Danish Apple Cake?
I like to use Honeycrisp, Gala or Fuji apples for this cake. You could also use Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Cortland or Northern Spy. After peeling and coring, cut the apples into thin slices, about ¼-inch thick.
Café Tips for making this Danish Apple Cake
- You'll need a 9-inch springform pan or an 11-inch springform pan for this Danish Apple Cake. Springform pans have sides that release easily
- (I love these pre-cut circles) but it may be more difficult to get out of the pan. If you don't have a springform pan, it's a worthwhile investment and they're not horribly expensive. Springform pans come in handy for lots of sweet and savory dishes. I love making desserts in round form as they fit under my cake dome. And it seems that everything is quite magical when it's under a cake dome, right?
- This cake is not difficult to make, however, it does need about one hour and 15 minutes to bake. It's a great thing to make when you're going to be hanging out at home for the morning or afternoon. And the aroma, oh my! It will make your kitchen smell like a fine bakeshop. Beware, the neighbors may come running!
- This cake comes together quickly and easily with a whisk. If you don't have a whisk, it's an inexpensive tool that will become a kitchen workhorse. Most of our Ridiculously Easy cakes come together best with a whisk.
- Another essential (and inexpensive) kitchen tool is a silicone spatula. They're heat resistant and can be used for so many jobs like stirring, mixing, scraping out bowls, etc.
- I like to arrange the apples on top of this Danish Apple Cake in a circular pattern. If you're in a hurry, it's fine to just arrange them randomly - it will still look very pretty!
In the apple mood? Another apple dessert we can't get enough of is this Sticky Apple Pecan Cake.
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 cup sugar
- 8 ounces butter at room temperature
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 apples large
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Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Spray the pan with baking spray and rub with a paper towel to evenly coat.
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In a small bowl, combine ½ cup sugar with 1 tablespoon cinnamon.
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Combine flour,baking powder and salt. Stir well.
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Peel and core apples, cut into quarters and then cut each quarter into thin slices.
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In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until thick and smooth. Add vanilla then add eggs, one at the time, beating for 30 seconds after each addition. Stop to scrape down sides of bowl once or twice.
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With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture and mix just until combined.
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Combine the apples with the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Add half of the apples to the prepared pan. Pour batter over apples and smooth batter to edges of pan. Starting in the center, add remaining apples in a circular pattern on top of the batter. Sprinkle any remaining cinnamon/sugar mixture over the top of the apples.
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Bake cake for one hour. Cover loosely with foil and bake another 15-20 minutes or until set in the center. Check to see if a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Cool on a baking rack before removing outer ring. Serve warm or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream. Enjoy!
See Café Tips above in post
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
This Danish apple cake is a huge winner. I can't wait to make it and it's getting to be spring here.
Loved that photo of the feet 🙂
Jo Anne says
Oh.My! My part Danish husband is going to love me! He has patiently put up with all my Slovak dishes, now I can treat him with something Danish other than aebleskever! Thanks, Chris!!!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Here in New England, the weather has felt like fall with lows in the 50's at night for days. With leaves already starting to change, it won't be long before it is apple picking time in our orchard. I'll be adding this recipe to my collection of apple dishes. 🙂
Katarina says
It looks perfect!
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon says
Your cake looks absolutely delicious and so beautiful, but I am still into stone fruit. As soon as it gets cooler this goes on my list. And, I love the behind the scenes shot. You two are so fun.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
A fantastic coffee cake, Chris. Love the behind the scene click..
Mary says
Well I'm so glad you got over it because your cake is stunning! When I'm ready to accept Fall I'm cooking this!!!
mary
Shirlee Lamb says
thanks for the beautiful picture of my home town and the beautiful cake. The Asheville area is a great apple producing area. The early ones should start coming in harvest right about now.
Chris Scheuer says
That's so exciting that the apples are starting to ripen. I'm ready!!
Susan Southern says
Sounds like alot of sugar could you reduce this amount without affecting the cake?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Susan, I'm honestly not sure but it would be worth trying 🙂
Beverley says
It's so delightful and I particularly love the behind the scenes photo shoot! Looking forward to trying this recipe out xoxo
Janet says
Hi there, we are currently living in Asheville. Glad you liked the city. Unfortunately we move to Dallas in the morning. Have to say in 8 short months we really grew to love it there. I really enjoy your blog and recipes.
Chris Scheuer says
We LOVE Asheville. We'll be doing another post with more pics. I know you're sad to leave 🙂 Thanks for your kind words, I appreciate them. Chris
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
I'm not tempted by desserts very often, but I have to say that this apple cake is irresistible. I wish I could poke a fork right through the screen and take a big bite or knock on your door if I lived close and plead for a slice. I will be making this beauty soon. Yum, yum.
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
OMG, I LOVE LOVE LOVE these photos!! Sooo sooo beautiful! I also LOVE the behind the scenes, I always like to know how other people shoot, to get ideas!
Maria says
I want some of this cake right now, please. It looks scrumptious. And I love the behind-the-scenes photo. So fun to see how people capture their shots.
Norma | allspice and nutmeg says
This looks so fantastic, Chris. Pinned! I need this with my coffee soon.
John@Kitchen Riffs says
This is such a terrific recipe! And it's gorgeous. I'm not yet ready for fall recipes, but I will be soon. And this is definitely one to try. Love the behind the scenes photo!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
In Texas, it is still super hot although I can already see a few signs that the season is about to change. What a cake, Chris! It is beauty and deliciousness from top to bottom!!!
monique says
cakes like this one are delicacies..
Favorited here..
Much much better than icing cakes etc..
Love the behind the scenes look..
I really don't want fall around..even if it is my fave looking season.
Kim says
Yep! fall is just around the corner... Classes begins next week, it's a sign! And this cake, it looks really good! i can't wait too try it!
Marita says
This a wonderful recipes. I would love to try. May I ask question please. Is it possible to substitute Gluten Free, instead of plain flour.? Than you very much for this recipe. Have a great day to all. 😘
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Marita, I don't want to say for sure, since I haven't made it with GF flour, but I think it should work fine. I bet it would be wonderful with part almond flour too!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
I'm still hanging on to summer - so many recipes - so little time. We love Asheville and can't wait to go back again. Love the photos - Scott does a fantastic job. And you did a fantastic job on this recipe! Gorgeous apple cake - really wonderful!
Stephanie says
oooohhhhh! I couldn't resist that one. Totally the kind of pie I love. I'll try it with "summer" apples 😉 This, way, I'll extend the pleasures of summer for a while 😉 Have a great one!
Happier Than A Pig In Mud says
And here I sit with a nice strong cup of coffee.... but no cake. It's looks amazing:@)
Ginny Hartzler says
It is gorgeous, like a work of art! And so are the knife and the napkin!! Everything is very pretty! Dining with you would be like eating in the coolest restaurant ever, lots of fun for the eyes.
Pondside says
That sounds delicious - looks delicious too. I think I'll be giving it a try on the weekend. I have a small collection of apple cake recipes - there's nothing like the smell of one baking to make fall seem to be right around the corner.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love apple cakes and this one looks incredible, what a scrumptious way to embrace the new season! 🙂