Norwegian Apple Cake – Eplekake

Norwegian Apple Cake – Eplekake

Norwegian Apple Cake, known as Eplekake in Norway, is a classic Norwegian cake. It’s a vanilla sponge cake, topped with apples, crunchy almond slices, brown sugar, cinnamon, and not too much else. Apples have a long history in Norway for thousands of years and in their cooking. This Apple Cake plays an important, delicious role in their dessert recipes. We use our Apple Pie Spice, which adds even more flavor than just plain cinnamon. It’s usually served with Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped Cream. A perfect snack to eat with a cup of your favorite tea. Enjoy!

Serves 8

Ingredients:
4 Medium Tart Apples, like Granny Smith
1 Cup (2 Sticks) Salted Butter, Softened to Room Temperature, plus extra to grease the pan.
2 Cups All-purpose Flour
1½ Teaspoons Baking Powder
1¼ Cups Granulated Sugar
3 Large Eggs, at Room Temperature
½ Cup Whole Milk
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
⅓ Cup Sliced Almonds
3 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar (Dark if you prefer)
1 Tablespoon Sheffield’s Apple Pie Spice
Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped Cream for Serving

Directions:
Set your oven rack to the middle position. Pre-heat the oven to 350ºF.

Peel and core the apples. Cut into quarters, then cut into 4 slices, about ¼” or so thick. Set aside until needed.

Grease an 8″ Springform pan with some of the extra butter. Lightly dust with flour, tapping out any extra.

In a medium mixing bowl, add the flour and baking powder. Whisk to combine.

In a stand mixer bowl, add 1 ½ sticks of the butter and the granulated sugar. Beat at medium speed for about a minute until well combined and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, until combined. Beat for 3 minutes, scraping down sides as needed. Reduce the speed to low. Add the flour and milk in 3 batches, alternating each addition. Add the vanilla extract. Beat for a minute to combine but not over-mix. Scrape down sides as needed.

Transfer batter to the Springform pan. Spread evenly. Top the batter with the apple slices, set in tight, overlapping circles. Lightly press the slices into the batter. Evenly spread the sliced almonds over the apple slices. Sprinkle the brown sugar and Sheffield’s Apple Pie Spice evenly on top. Add dabs of the remaining ½ stick of butter evenly.

Bake in the oven for 60 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick or cake tester coming out clean. Bake another 5 to 10 minutes if needed. The top should be nicely browned.

Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to release from the sides of the pan and remove. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, or whipped cream. Enjoy!