This easy apple cake combines the sweet, comforting flavors of spiced apples with a soft, buttery cake. With tender, caramelized apple slices baked into a rich cake batter, each bite is a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth. The addition of cinnamon and a hint of caramel makes this cake a delightful treat for any occasion. By using a mix of apple varieties, you can achieve a flavorful contrast between tart and sweet apples, adding extra depth to this simple yet delicious dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe: This apple cake is the perfect blend of simplicity and flavor. It’s quick to prepare, with easy-to-find ingredients, yet the result is an impressive, homemade dessert that’s sure to satisfy. The combination of buttery cake with spiced, caramelized apples makes it a comforting choice for family gatherings or cozy evenings. The recipe is versatile enough to adjust to your preferences—whether you like it extra sweet, or prefer a more tart flavor profile. Best of all, this cake can be served warm or at room temperature, making it an all-season favorite.
Perfect Occasion: This apple cake is ideal for any occasion, from a casual family dessert to a special treat for guests. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent finish, or enjoy it with coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon snack. It’s also a wonderful dessert for holidays, autumn gatherings, or anytime you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
Decoration Tips: For a simple, elegant finish, dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar. You can also drizzle a bit of extra caramel sauce over the top just before serving for added richness. Garnish with thin slices of fresh apples or a few cinnamon sticks for a more rustic presentation. If you’re looking for extra indulgence, serve the cake with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream on the side.
For the Apple Layer:
- 1000 grams of apples (use a variety like Granny Smith, Jonagold, or Elstar)
- 30 grams of brown sugar
- 8 grams of vanilla sugar
- 20 milliliters of lemon juice
- 2 grams of cinnamon powder
- 125 grams of caramel
For the Cake Batter:
- 200 grams of butter (softened)
- 150 grams of brown sugar
- 8 grams of vanilla sugar
- 4 grams of lemon zest
- 3 large eggs
- 290 grams of all-purpose flour
- 3 grams of baking powder
Instructions:
- Prepare the apples: Peel and slice the apples thinly. Toss them in a bowl with brown sugar, vanilla sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and caramel. Set aside.
- Make the cake batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, vanilla sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients: Sift the flour and baking powder into the wet mixture, gently folding until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the cake: Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Grease and line a 24 cm springform pan. Spread half the cake batter into the pan, layer the apples on top, and then spread the remaining batter over the apples.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, then check for doneness with a toothpick. If necessary, cover with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Cool and serve: Let the cake cool in the pan before removing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Enjoy your delicious and easy apple cake!