Norwegian Apple Cake

Cinnamon spiced, with walnuts and apples, this Norwegian Apple Cake is a tasty fall treat that’s a big crowd-pleaser. 

What says fall more than (Norwegian) apple cake!  Dense and sweet, with crunchy walnuts, it’s a perfect seasonal dessert or snack.

The cake is typically served with whipped cream or even ice cream.  But I can testify it was good enough plain so that I kept slicing off thin slivers for… just one more taste. 

Now I should warn you that this is a heavier cake (think of a quick bread, like this Cranberry Pecan Bread), not something airy with a tender crumb.  As I typically do, I used half whole wheat flour to make it a little healthier, but reports are that it’s dense even made with all white flour. 

The cake has a secret bonus which is that you can make it in two different forms.  Besides the rustic elegant round cake, I have chopped and folded in the apples and baked in in a 9 x 13 pan (more info in variations below) for a super simple version.

Yes, fall baking never had it so good!

Step by Step Overview

Core and peel the apples then cut into ¼ inch slices (about 12 slices per apple).

Cream the sugar and butter in a large bowl, then add eggs and vanilla.

Combine dry ingredients, then add to wet stirring just enough to combine.

Fold in the walnuts.

Grease springform pan and spread batter into pan.

Top with concentric rings of apple slices and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if desired.

Bake for about an hour until a toothpick comes out clean.  Serve with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.

Variations

The recipe came from a local Edible publication that has since disappeared.  The contributor got it from her Norwegian neighbor and made it as a sheet cake (though online it’s more often round and topped with apples like I have been showing) 

To prepare the sheet cake version, I chopped all the apples, mixed them into the batter, then poured it into a greased 9 x 13 pan to make fun snack cakes.  I topped each slice with a rosette of stabilized whipped cream. 

Even though it’s not quite as visually impressive, the sheet cake version was easier to both make and serve.  And it was a big hit at the party where I served it.

Tips & FAQs

I usually consult my fruit monger when it comes to picking an apple variety that’s good for both baking and eating.  Today’s apples were Zestar and they worked beautifully.  If you’re buying from the grocery store, consider consulting an online guide. 

Apples have been perennially on the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list of most contaminated fruits and vegetables.  So this is a fruit I try to buy organic.

Finally, since (local) apple season doesn’t last forever, I like to be prepared for winter.  I keep a tub of frozen, sliced apples in my freezer.  Every fall, I freeze slices individually (on a rimmed baking sheet) then transfer them to a tub, so I can take out just the amount I need. 

I’ve found that slicing works great for freezing, since they can go directly into many dishes from pies to smoothies.  I usually don’t peel my apples–but you do you. 

More Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes

• Apple Bread Pudding from Creative Cynchronicity
• Apple Puff Pastry Rings from Jen Around the World
• Caramel Apple Pie Lassi from Magical Ingredients
• Chicken Apple Brat Burgers from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Cinnamon Apple Coffee Cake from Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
• Iced Apple Drop Cookies from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Savory Apple Chutney from That Recipe

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Norwegian Apple Cake

Cinnamon spiced, with walnuts and apples, this NorwegianApple Cake is a tasty fall treat that’s a big crowd-pleaser. 

Author: Inger

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Print

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Scandinavian

Servings 12

Calories 291 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup butter
• 2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour or additional all-purpose flour
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 apples sliced
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon sugar

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 F.
• Core and peel the apples then cut into ¼ inch slices (about 12 slices per apple).
• Cream the sugar and butter in a large bowl, then add eggs and vanilla.
• Combine dry ingredients, then add to wet stirring just enough to combine. Fold in the walnuts.
• Grease springform pan and spread batter into pan.
• Top with concentric rings of apple slices and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if desired.
• Bake for about an hour until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Serve with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.

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Notes

For an easier, more casual, method, chop the apples (you can even leave unpeeled and chop in a food processor) then mix into the batter with the walnuts  Spread into a 9 x 13″ cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean .

Nutrition

Calories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 5gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 326mgPotassium: 157mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 424IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg

I am not a health professional and nutrition data is calculated programatically. Accuracy may vary with product selection, calculator accuracy, etc. Consult a professional for the best information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Updated from the original titled Scandinavian Apple Cake and published May 17, 2015.

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