Swedish Apple Cake: Amazing 20-Min Bake

Name: Swedish Apple Cake: Amazing 20-Min Bake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Swedish
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 medium apples (such as Gala or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced; Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting

by Jannet Lisa

29 de July de 2025

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Swedish apple cake has been a cherished part of my baking repertoire since I first tried a slice at a local Scandinavian festival. The aroma of warm cinnamon and tender apples instantly transported me, and I knew I had to recreate that magic at home. This Swedish apple cake recipe is wonderfully simple, focusing on the natural sweetness of the fruit and a delicate, buttery crumb. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s a comforting slice of tradition, a true taste of an apple cake from Sweden. You’ll love how easy it is to bring this classic dessert to life. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Swedish Apple Cake

This beloved dessert offers so much to adore:

Amazing Taste: Enjoy the perfect harmony of tender apples and warm spices in every bite.
Quick Prep: With just 20 minutes of preparation, this easy Swedish apple cake is perfect for busy weeknights.
Budget-Friendly Baking: Made with common pantry staples, it’s an affordable way to create a delicious treat.
Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike adore the comforting flavors and soft texture of this simple apple dessert.
Healthy-ish Treat: Packed with fruit, it feels like a lighter indulgence compared to richer cakes.
Versatile Dessert: This easy Swedish apple cake is delightful on its own or paired with ice cream or whipped cream.
Authentic Flavor: Experience a genuine taste of Scandinavian baking traditions.

Ingredients for Traditional Swedish Apple Cake

Gathering the right Swedish apple cake ingredients is the first step to baking this classic. You’ll need pantry staples and fresh apples to create this delightful dessert. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 cup all-purpose flour – the base of our tender cake
1 teaspoon baking powder – for a lovely lift
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon – essential for that cozy spice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg – adds a warm, subtle depth
1/4 teaspoon salt – enhances all the flavors
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened – crucial for a rich, buttery crumb
3/4 cup granulated sugar – for that perfect sweetness
2 large eggs – at room temperature for better incorporation
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – boosts the overall aroma and taste
3 medium apples (such as Gala or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced – the star of our Swedish apple cake!
Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting – for a beautiful finish

How to Make Homemade Swedish Apple Cake

Follow these simple Swedish apple cake baking instructions to create a truly delightful dessert. This process is straightforward, focusing on layering flavors and textures to achieve that classic Scandinavian taste.

Step 1: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, prepare your 9-inch round cake pan by greasing it thoroughly and then dusting it with flour. This prevents the cake from sticking and ensures easy removal.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisking them together ensures the leavening and spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Step 3: In a separate, larger bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened and 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Beat them until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale yellow. This creaming process incorporates air, which helps make the cake tender.
Step 4: Beat in the 2 large eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. The aroma of vanilla already starts to hint at the deliciousness to come!
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients from Step 2 to the wet ingredients in Step 4. Mix on low speed or stir with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can develop the gluten too much, leading to a tougher cake.
Step 6: Spread half of the prepared batter evenly into the bottom of your prepared cake pan. This forms the base layer for our beautiful apple cake.
Step 7: Arrange the sliced apples over the batter layer. Try to distribute them evenly to ensure apple goodness in every slice.
Step 8: Spoon the remaining batter over the apples, spreading it gently to cover them completely. This seals in the apples and creates a lovely top layer.
Step 9: Bake your Swedish apple cake for 40-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, with no wet batter attached. The top should be golden brown and smell wonderfully fragrant.

Once baked, let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. This allows it to set slightly. Then, carefully invert the cake onto the wire rack to cool completely. This is a crucial part of the Swedish apple cake baking instructions for presentation.
Dust with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade Swedish apple cake!

Pro Tips for the Best Scandinavian Apple Cake

Elevating your Swedish apple cake from good to absolutely divine is all about a few key techniques. Here are my go-to tips for achieving that perfect texture and flavor.

Always use good quality, firm apples like Honeycrisp or Gala. Softer apples can become too mushy.
Don’t overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients; this keeps the cake tender.
Letting the cake cool slightly in the pan before inverting is crucial to prevent it from breaking.
For an extra burst of flavor, add a tablespoon of lemon zest to the batter.

What’s the secret to perfect Swedish apple cake?

The real secret to a perfect classic Swedish apple cake is the balance of moist apples and a tender, slightly dense crumb. Using room temperature ingredients for the batter also ensures a smooth, even consistency. For more baking tips, check out these focaccia bread secrets.

Can I make this old-fashioned Swedish apple cake ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! You can prepare the batter and slice the apples a day in advance. Store both separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake when you’re ready to enjoy this old-fashioned Swedish apple cake.

How do I avoid common mistakes with a simple Swedish apple cake?

A common pitfall is overmixing the batter, which leads to a tough cake. Also, ensure your apples are sliced evenly so they cook through properly. Finally, don’t skip the cooling step in the pan; it helps the cake hold its shape. For more baking advice, consider these apple salad recipes.

Best Ways to Serve Swedish Apple Cake with Crumble

This delightful apple dessert from Sweden is wonderfully versatile and tastes amazing in a few different ways. Serving it warm is truly the best experience, allowing the spices to really bloom.

Warm with Vanilla Ice Cream: The contrast between the warm, spiced cake and cold, creamy vanilla ice cream is pure bliss. It’s a classic pairing for a reason!
Dusted with Powdered Sugar: For a simpler, elegant presentation, just a light dusting of powdered sugar highlights the beautiful golden crust and apple layers.
Alongside Whipped Cream or Custard: A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a drizzle of warm custard adds an extra layer of richness that complements the apple and cinnamon perfectly.

Swedish Apple Cake: Amazing 20-Min Bake - Swedish Apple Cake - additional detail

Nutrition Facts for Swedish Apple Cake

Here’s a breakdown of the estimated nutritional information per serving for this delicious apple dessert from Sweden. Keep in mind these are general figures, as actual values can vary slightly based on the specific ingredients you use. For more healthy options, explore our healthy kit kat recipe.

Calories: Approximately 300 kcal
Fat: Approximately 15g
Saturated Fat: Approximately 9g
Protein: Approximately 3g
Carbohydrates: Approximately 40g
Fiber: Approximately 2g
Sugar: Approximately 25g
Sodium: Approximately 150mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

How to Store and Reheat Authentic Swedish Apple Cake

Once your delicious homemade Swedish apple cake has cooled completely, proper storage is key to preserving its wonderful texture and flavor. I always make sure it’s fully cooled before sealing it up. For enjoying this delightful apple dessert from Sweden over a few days, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a fantastic option. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat a slice, you can gently warm it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through, or even microwave it for 20-30 seconds for a quick treat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Swedish Apple Cake

Have questions about baking this delightful dessert? I’ve got you covered with answers to some common queries about this classic apple dessert from Sweden.

What is Swedish apple cake?

Swedish apple cake is a comforting, rustic dessert characterized by its tender, moist cake base layered with sweet, spiced apples. It’s typically less sweet and dense than American apple pies, focusing more on the natural flavor of the fruit and a simple, buttery cake. It’s a staple in Scandinavian baking for a reason!

Why is Swedish apple cake popular?

Its popularity stems from its incredible ease of preparation and its universally loved flavor profile. The combination of warm apples, cinnamon, and a soft cake is pure comfort. It’s also budget-friendly, using common pantry ingredients, making it an accessible treat for everyone to enjoy. It’s the perfect way to use up apples from the orchard! You might also enjoy our apple zucchini bread.

Can I make a gluten-free Swedish apple cake?

Absolutely! You can easily adapt this recipe to be a gluten-free Swedish apple cake by substituting the all-purpose flour with a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure your blend contains a binder like xanthan gum for the best texture.

What makes this cake so moist?

The moistness comes from the fresh apples themselves, which release moisture as they bake, and the fat from the butter and eggs in the batter. Properly slicing the apples and not overbaking the cake are also key to keeping it wonderfully tender and moist. For more baking tips, check out these churro saltine toffee recipes.

Variations of Swedish Apple Cake You Can Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic, you might want to explore some delicious twists on this beloved apple dessert from Sweden. These variations let you cater to different dietary needs or simply offer new flavor experiences.

Gluten-Free Swedish Apple Cake: For those avoiding gluten, simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Ensure your blend contains xanthan gum for binding. The result is a wonderfully moist gluten-free Swedish apple cake that’s just as delicious.
Vegan Swedish Apple Cake: To make a vegan Swedish apple cake, replace the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil, use a plant-based milk (like almond or soy) instead of dairy milk, and substitute the eggs with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes).
Swedish Apple Cake with Crumble: Amp up the texture by adding a simple crumble topping! Mix 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup cold butter until crumbly, then sprinkle over the apples before adding the top batter. It adds a delightful crunch to your Scandinavian apple cake.
Spiced Pear Variation: Don’t have apples? Pears work beautifully! Slice firm pears and use them in place of apples for a slightly different, equally delicious twist on this traditional dessert.