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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
elizabeth says
This looks delicious. Which type of apple do you use for your Danish Apple Cake? I don't think I'll be able to wait for Fall to make it. By the by, my maternal grandfather was from Copenhagen. I think he would definitely approve.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Elizabeth, I've tried different types of apples in this cake but my go to apple for baking is golden delicious. I also love Fuji.
dafmatok says
Yumi. Just what I like 🙂
Cheryl Curtis says
You make me want to bake a the time. This looks divine. Can just imagine this with some hot custard ipoured over the top as you serve it
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Cheryl, I think you'll love this one!
Anna Kelso says
This looks amazing. My parents, all four grandparents, every aunt and uncle and cousin are of 100% Danish decent. Many still live there. But the apple cake I grew up with is nothing like this. It was more of an apple parfait with whipping cream. I've also had it made with cooked apricots, rhubarb, prunes, etc. It was perfect during the fruit harvest season. However, who can resist a good apple recipe. I will be making it, and I'm quite sure it will be yummy. Mange Talk, Anna (first generation Danish American)
Chris Scheuer says
How fun to have that wonderful heritage! That's so interesting Anna, about your apple cake. Let us know what you think about this one!
Sandra L Garth says
Desserts like this are one of the best parts about fall!
Susan says
I loved reading that email you received. My paternal grandparents and maternal great-grandparents came from Denmark also! I am definitely going to try this recipe soon. Our Wisconsin apples should be at the farm stands shortly. LOL, I have to crop my feet out of photos all the time. I'm guessing by the hairy legs that they belong to Scott 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Kristiana for taking the time to leave a review 🙂
Wendy says
I don't know how I missed this gorgeous cake the first time around! Thanks for bringing it back from the deep dark recesses! Apples and honey are traditional Rosh Hashanah flavors, and I am always looking for special recipes to share with holiday company. 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
So glad you decided to re-share this one Chris! It looks amazing! I can already see myself snuggled up in a blanket with a warm cup of tea this fall enjoying a piece of this cake! We go to the orchard to pick apples every fall, so this cake will be the first thing on my list to make!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
I wish I had such a great helper! And I wish I had this cake in front of me! Love that reader's suggestion. Now that's one wedding I'd love to attend!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
LOVE the behind the scenes shot...I photograph barefoot too 😉
Charlotte Moore says
YUM!! Love apples and cinnamon.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Charlotte, it is a heavenly combination, for sure!
Liz says
YUM! I love apple desserts---probably even more that berry desserts! This can looks like the perfect way to move onto a new season!
Chris Scheuer says
I'm right there with you Liz!
Ginny Hartzler says
It's beautiful! And what an honor that this lady used it as her wedding cake! Yes, we are coming into apple season really soon. What are your favorite apples for eating? Phil's are Honeycrisp (SO expensive!) and Gala.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Ginny. Phil's my man! I love both of those apples for eating too. Anything that's crisp and sweet/tart is a big hit for me! And somehow apples just taste better at this time of year. I guess it's because I rarely eat them in the summer and it's something new and different 🙂
Melissa says
My Grandparents were both from Denmark. My Grandma use to make this cake! I am getting married at the end of September..... for my wedding cake, I am making TWO of them and putting a caramel cheesecake in the middle and I am going to top it with a caramel ganache!!!!!
Chris Scheuer says
I love this Melissa! Congratulation on your upcoming wedding, I'm so happy you're using my recipe! Wish you God's richest blessings!
L. says
would the base of the cake burn if you were to make it with only a "topping" of apples? I ask, as I only have 4 smallish apples on hand and am too impatient to wait til next weeks shop to bake it! Unless it's really necessary of course. The only thing sadder than no cake is burnt cake.
Chris Scheuer says
Haha! I totally agree with you! I think the cake will be fine with just apples for the topping. It will be a little shorter but it should be just fine!
L. says
Thank you so much for the reply Chris!
I *will* have cake tomorrow after all, and apple cinnamon cake is my very fave! 🙂 Cheers!
Stan says
This cake looks good but didn't see salt in the list of ingredients although it's in the instructions. Also, vanilla is on ingredients but not instructions. When do you add it?
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for noticing that! The recipe's been corrected. Enjoy!
Beatriz says
Delicious! Perfect with coffee!
I've done it!
Perfect amount of sweetness! (Not too sweet)
Thank you!
Vicki Bensinger says
Chris I saw this a while back and meant to post a comment but somehow got sidetracked. This is beautiful and of course the photos are lovely as well. I definitely need to make this not just for the taste but for the wow factor when everyone takes a look at it. It's positively stunning!!!
lena says
this is such a pretty cake and double layers of apples too! It indeed sounds wonderful with ice cream. i also also made your pear and pomegranate salsa last week, . thanks for the beautiful recipe. will drop by a note to let you know when i post it.
Sandra says
So not ready for fall but will take this cake anytime. Thanks for the behind the scene shot!
Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet} says
What a supreme cake! It just teaters on the edge of Fall with Summer still on our minds. This is a must make!
Tiffany Arp-Daleo says
Good for you, (and for us!) embrace the food and ignore the season! That looks amazingly delicious!
cheri says
What a gorgeous dessert Chris, will make this next week when my mom comes to visit next week, she loves apples. Love your presentation!
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
There is something so magical about the cinnamon and apple combo isn't there. Goodness this looks good. Worth getting chilly for I say! I love the behind the scenes shoot. I might include one next time. Oh the chaos that hides just outside the frame.
Juliana says
What a beautiful apple pie...I love the look of it...so elegant. I wish for a slice now...
Thanks for the recipe Chris...hope you are having a fabulous week 😀