Norwegian Comforting Apple Cake • Eplekake

Hummm, this Norwegian apple cake is ideal for these cooler Winter days or in this case approaching the traditional Portuguese São Martinho festivities. Nothing like a rustic apple and cinnamon cake to comfort the belly and the spirit 🙂 This is a simple apple and cinnamon cake, but even though the recipe sometimes calls for larger pieces of apple, I think it looks better and bakes better with thinly sliced apples.

The recipe itself is based off Norwegian Eplekake, or well apple cake, its a beloved classic in Norwegian baking, cherished for its warm, comforting flavors and simplicity. Made with fresh, tart apples layered over a soft, spiced cake base, it’s often dusted with cinnamon and sugar, creating a deliciously cozy dessert. Eplekake has roots in Norway’s agricultural traditions, where apples have long been harvested in the southern regions, especially in the fjord areas, which are ideal for apple orchards and then ship northwards.

Traditionally or maybe i would say regularly, Eplekake is served with a dollop of whipped cream, ice cream or vanilla custard, making it a delightful treat for any time of year. It’s often enjoyed with coffee during afternoon gatherings or as a sweet finish to a family meal. With its nostalgic, homemade charm, Norwegian Eplekake captures the essence of Scandinavian comfort food and remains a staple in Norwegian households, especially during the fall apple season, so lets check the recipe!

Norwegian Comforting Apple Cake • Eplekake

Servings: 12
Time: 1hr 30mins
Difficulty: Normal
Rating: ★★★★★
Print

A classic Norwegian Eplekake is a simple creamy cake with a topping of apples cinnamon and sugar, its super easy to bake and delightful!

Ingredients

Apple – 550gr (Tart +/- 4 medium)
Butter – 200gr
Sugar – 250gr
Eggs – 4 L
Flour – 180gr
Baking Powder – 4gr (One teaspoon)
Sugar – For generous sprinkling (+/- 2 tablespoons)
Cinnamon – For generous sprinkling (+/- 1 heaped teaspoon)

Directions

Start with the dough. In a bowl, whisk the butter at room temperature with the sugar until you have a smooth, whitish cream.

Then add the eggs, one by one, whisking well between each addition.

Finally, add the flour and baking powder and sieve them into the cream and mix well with a wooden spoon or spatula until the mixture is super smooth.
Now preheat the oven to about 180ºC and prepare a medium round cake tin, line the bottom with greaseproof paper and the sides with butter and a dust with flour (or alternatively just grease with butter and stick more greaseproof paper on the sides).

Wash, peel and cut the apples into thin slices, then pour half the dough into the tin, cover the dough with a layer of apple slices (don’t over do it, that might make the 2 layers of the cake not connect) and finally pour the remaining dough on top and cover with the remaining apple slices (the top layer you can be more generous).
Finally, add the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle all over the cake to cover it well.
Bake in the oven for about 50 minutes, prick with a toothpick (carefully to avoid the apple slices), if the toothpick comes out dry then the cake is ready, note that the top may be super brown but this is normal, it’s the sugar caramelizing.
There it is your very own eplekake, you can serve freshly baked or at room temperature, this is a cake that will keep for a couple of days, moist and delicious, enjoy!

Notes: I did use tart green apples, but using normal sweet apples still makes a really yummy cake.

This recipe for Norwegian Comforting Apple Cake • Eplekake was originally created on BakeAfter.com. Esta receita de Bolo de Maçã da Noruega foi publicada em português no Iguaria.com.