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Swedish Apple Cake is a cozy, rustic dessert that features tender apples, spiced butter cake, and a rich caramel sauce. With its moist texture and comforting flavors, it’s a perfect fall treat that combines cinnamon, nutmeg, and juicy apples. It’s a simple, yet indulgent cake that’s perfect for any occasion, from casual family dinners to more formal gatherings. Topped with a warm caramel drizzle, it’s the ultimate sweet finish to your meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 2/3 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups diced and peeled apples (about 2 large apples)
1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

For the Caramel Sauce:

1 1/3 cups brown sugar
2 tablespoons half & half
4 tablespoons butter

Directions

Prepare the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round or square cake pan.
Make the Cake Batter: Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until combined. The batter will be thick.
Fold in Apples and Nuts: Gently fold in the diced apples and optional nuts.
Bake: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
Make the Caramel Sauce: While the cake bakes, combine brown sugar, half & half, and butter in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the butter melts and the sauce thickens (about 3-5 minutes).
Serve: Once the cake is done, poke small holes in the top using a toothpick. Pour the warm caramel sauce over the cake and let it soak in for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrients (per serving)

Calories: 207 kcal
Carbohydrates: 29 g
Protein: 2 g
Fat: 11 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Cholesterol: 47 mg
Sodium: 310 mg
Potassium: 264 mg
Sugar: 14 g

A Warm, Spiced Flavor Profile

This cake is a delightful fusion of warm spices and apples, making it the perfect treat as the weather turns cooler. The addition of cinnamon and nutmeg in the cake batter infuses the dessert with a cozy, aromatic scent that fills the kitchen as it bakes. These spices are often associated with autumn and holiday baking, creating a comforting atmosphere when served.

The apples, once baked, soften and release their natural juices, making the cake incredibly moist and tender. The sweetness of the apples balances beautifully with the warm spices, while the subtle nutty flavor from the optional pecans or walnuts adds texture and depth to each bite. The cake’s soft crumb contrasts nicely with the crunch of the nuts, enhancing the overall flavor and mouthfeel.

A Moist and Tender Cake Base

The base of Swedish Apple Cake is a simple yet effective butter cake that provides a soft and rich foundation for the apples and caramel sauce. The butter and sugar are creamed together to create a light, airy batter that, once baked, turns into a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The addition of eggs and vanilla extract further enhances the richness of the cake, while the dry ingredients—including flour, baking soda, salt, and spices—ensure that the cake holds together without being too dense.

Since the batter is quite thick, it allows the apples to be folded in without losing their shape, ensuring that the fruit stays in nice chunks, giving the cake a wonderful texture. The moisture from the apples also seeps into the cake, keeping it perfectly soft and tender.

The Caramel Sauce: The Perfect Finishing Touch

The caramel sauce is what makes this cake truly indulgent. Made with brown sugar, butter, and half & half, it’s rich and silky with just the right amount of sweetness. The sauce is cooked until it thickens slightly, which makes it the perfect consistency to drizzle over the cake. As the warm sauce soaks into the top of the cake, it adds an irresistible richness that elevates the entire dessert.

Pouring the caramel sauce over the cake and allowing it to soak in for 15 minutes or so creates a flavorful, moist layer on top, infusing the cake with the buttery sweetness of the sauce. The caramel sauce also enhances the spices in the cake, rounding out the flavor and adding a decadent finish.

Serving Suggestions: A Perfect Dessert for Any Occasion

This Swedish Apple Cake can be served in a variety of ways, making it perfect for different occasions. It’s delicious on its own, but it can also be served with whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of crème fraîche for an extra indulgence. The combination of the soft cake, caramel sauce, and whipped cream creates a harmonious balance of flavors and textures, making each bite a luxurious treat.

If you’re hosting a formal gathering or a holiday dinner, Swedish Apple Cake is sure to impress your guests. The warm, spiced flavors, rich caramel, and moist cake make it a standout dessert that’s perfect for any fall or winter celebration. Alternatively, it works wonderfully as a cozy family dessert after a weeknight meal, offering a comforting way to end your day.

Nutritional Benefits of Swedish Apple Cake

While Swedish Apple Cake is undeniably indulgent, it’s also relatively moderate in calories, with 207 calories per serving. The cake provides a balance of carbohydrates, fats, and protein, making it a satisfying dessert without being overly heavy. With 11 grams of fat and 6 grams of saturated fat per serving, it’s important to note that the richness of the cake and caramel sauce comes from the butter, which is a key part of its flavor and texture.

The cake also contains 14 grams of sugar, which comes from the brown sugar and apples. While it’s sweet, the sugar content is balanced by the spices and the slight tanginess of the apples, preventing it from being overly sugary. The cake provides a small amount of protein (2 grams) and some beneficial minerals, including potassium (264 mg) and calcium (24 mg), which contribute to its nutritional profile.

Conclusion

Swedish Apple Cake is a cozy, comforting dessert that combines the best of fall flavors—spiced apples, buttery cake, and rich caramel sauce. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner, holiday gathering, or as a sweet treat to enjoy at home, this cake is sure to become a favorite. The soft, tender texture of the cake pairs beautifully with the sweet caramel sauce, making it the perfect indulgence for any occasion. Serve it with whipped cream or ice cream for an added touch of luxury, and enjoy this delightful fall dessert that will warm both your heart and your taste buds.

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Full Recipe:

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrients (per serving)

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