Growing up, my family had two large apple trees in our garden, and autumn always meant homemade apple cake. This Norwegian apple cake recipe is as authentic as it gets. Although I had to borrow this recipe to get the right measurements, the method, flavor and ingredients are just like I remember them from my childhood. Apple cake is such a classic, traditional cake in Norway. However, it's usually only made in autumn when apples are in season. This cake is definitely best when made with apples you handpicked from your back yard, but if that's not an option, Granny Smiths will do.
What do you need to make Norwegian apple cake?
- Apples
- Cinnamon
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Baking powder
You'll also need a 22 cm springform pan, a baking sheet, and an oven. All in all, it takes about 1 ½ hours from the minute you start until you're ready to serve this delicious, warm, soft Norwegian apple cake.
In Norway it's customary to always offer your guests coffee and baked goods. In fact, not offering cake or biscuits is considered rude and thoughtless, and a sign that your guests are not welcome. Therefore you need to make sure to always keep treats around just in case someone pops by. That's where this cake comes into play. This apple cake freezes really well, and defrosts in the oven in less than half an hour. Perfect when you're in desperate need of homemade cake. To freeze, simply wrap it up in plastic wrap, and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How can you make a healthy cake?
Most cakes are based on sugar, white flour, eggs, and butter. There are some great options out there for cakes made with sweeteners, honey or fruit instead of sugar, with nuts instead of flour, and without any butter. Frosting is usually made by combining sugar and butter, so cakes without frosting are typically healthier options. As I don't eat cake very often, I don't mind the sugar and butter, I just have my slice, feel satisfied, and leave it at that. As this cake is close to my heart, I try to stick to the traditional ingredients, but if you try to make a healthier version of it, let me know how it goes!
Recipe
Norwegian apple cake (Eplekake)
Ingredients
Apple filling
- 4 apples
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon cinnamon
Cake batter
- 200 g butter
- 200 g sugar
- 4 eggs
- 170 g all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C
- Peel the apples and remove the cores. Cut them into thin wedges. Place in a bowl or plastic bag, and coat with 3 tablespoon sugar and 2 tablespoon cinnamon. Stir or shake to coat the apples evenly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar with an electric whisk until creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, and whisk in between.
- Through a sieve, add the flour and baking powder to the batter.
- Carefully use a spatula or spoon to mix the flour with the wet ingredients. Careful not to overmix.
- Using a 22 cm springform tin, add a baking sheet to the bottom, and grease the sides of the tin.
- Add half the batter to the tin, and place the apple wedges with the thin sides down in circles to completely cover the bottom of the tin.
- Add the second half of the batter over the apples, and repeat with the remaining apples.
- Bake in the oven for 50 min to 1 hour. To check if the cake is done, insert a metal skewer to the middle and see if it comes out clean. If there is not batter on the skewer, the cake is ready to come out.
- Leave the cake to rest for at least 10 minutes, and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or custard.
Claire Cary
I am SO ready for apple season and this looks amazing!!
Tonje
I'm with you!
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
This cake looks so perfect for fall and I love that it doesn't take long to prep. bookmarking to make this weekend!
Tonje
It definitely tastes like autumn!
Jordin
Mmm, this sounds amazing! So flavorful, im drooling already
Tonje
Thank you 🙂 Hope you like it!
Ann
This is very close to the cake that my Norwegian mother made frequently. I don’t have her recipe, because she made it so often that she had memorized it. You are correct about offering coffee and a sweet to every visitor. It’s tradition that my Mom kept . Everyone (even the plumber!) was offered coffee and frequently this cake, which she called coffee cake. Although she usually used apples, sometimes she used a peach or pear or an extra sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. Making it brings back many good memories.
Jess
Norwegian apple pastries are the best, aren't they? This looks and sounds delicious. I haven't tried this but now I need to!
Tonje
They pretty much are. We know our apples! Enjoy 🙂
Edén | Sweet Tea and Thyme
In the southern US, it’s rude to not have tea and baked good available for guests, too! It’s funny how these customs connect across the world!
Tonje
Oh wow, I had no idea! That's so cool 🙂
Melissa
My family loved this recipe! So delicious- thanks so much for sharing!
Sula
This looks fantastic! Pinning for later .
Tonje
I'm so happy you like it! We love this recipe, especially when apples are in season 🙂
Brian Jones
What a delicious cake, simple to make and comes out perfect first time, loved it!
Tonje
I'm so happy you enjoy it! 🙂
Veena Azmanov
Delicious, unique and perfect. Looks awesome and surely yum too.
Tonje
Thank you! 🙂
Tisha
Such a delicious easy recipe for a perfect fall dessert! Apples are perfect for fall!
Tonje
They definitely are, get them while in season 🙂
Alex
Has anyone tried this with dairy free butter? I'm having to go dairy free at the moment so was wondering how it turned out?
Tonje
I have tried making this with dairy free butter! The consistency of the cake is the same, but dairy free butter can of course have a slightly different flavor to regular butter. Let me know how yours turn out 🙂
Danielle Wolter
This looks so delicious! I love that it's apple season - perfect time for this cake!
Tonje
Yes! This is definitely best with fresh, seasonal apples 🙂
Mahy
Childhood recipes are always the best beccause they have this very special ingredient that no other recipes have. It's called "memories". Can't wait to try this cake and see if I can relate to it, too!
Tonje
I absolutely agree! Hope you like it 🙂
Mary
Just made this yesterday. Delicious first time iut. I have already added it to my favs. Thank you so much for sharing this authentic recipe. Family and I love it.
Laura
Question are you using a fan oven? At an hour cake still needed time and started to overcook on top l added foil to cook for a further 5 minutes.
Tonje
Ovens can cook a little differently based on your location, the make and model of your oven and a bunch of other factors. Adding foil to prevent it from burning if it needs a little extra time is a great idea!
Stine
Traditional Norwegian recipes don't use fan over, only top and bottom heat. Try putting in lower down in the over next time.
Paul
I have been making this cake with a very similar recipe for years, and in the spring when the forced Rhubarb comes up you really need to try it, substitute 5cm chunks of rhubarb for the apples and ground ginger for the cinnamon, just as delicious
Tonje
That sounds amazing! I'll definitely remember to try that next year!
Rachel
Can you freeze this cake? Hopefully so!
Tonje
Yes, this cake freezes well for up to 3 months. Then, you can thaw it in your refrigerator overnight, or in an oven on a very low setting.
Janine Newman
This sounds delicious! I plan to make it tomorrow. What kind of apples do you use? Granny Smith Apples? Honeycrisp Apples? Or if you use a mixture of different apples please share it with us. I hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you sharing your recipe with us!
Tonje
Hi Janine! I typically use Granny Smiths in this recipe, but I have also used other types of apples, depending on what I have available. Granny Smith is a great option, as I find that they have a great texture when baked.
Elinor Parsons
This was a really lovely recipe and easy to do 😀 Will definitely be making this one again !
Janine Newman
Hi Tonje!
Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. I am truly grateful!!!
I can't wait to try your other recipes as well!