An Apple Cake for the Last Days of Winter

As the winter is coming to it's end with half-melted snow everywhere and a hint of spring in the air, in the middle of March, you would not really make an apple cake, which reminds of the colorful autumn. But I made it. Maybe because I do not really associate apple cake with autumn, or maybe I do not really think you need an excuse to bake something as good as an moist apple cake! No seasonal boundries, no thoughts of apples being typical autumn. What do I need to make an apple cake? Apples ofcourse!

  

Apples in the fridge and there one hour later, a perfectly moist and soft apple cake with marzipan, cinnamon and chopped almonds. What an favorful combination of smells coming from the oven!

I always uses the same recipe when baking apple cake, a recipe that I found in a old norwegian baking book and it is amazing, so I have never thought of trying any other recipe. The marzipan was not included in the recipe, but rather an idea of mine as I was inspired by other apple cake recipes and believe me, when you first have tried with marzipan, you will never make without again.

What I love with apple cake is that it is almost self-made. I mean you put everything in and on the cake before it is baked, and when it comes out of the oven you only have to add a spoonful of whipped cream, vanilla sauce or vanilla ice cream. And there 5 minutes later you can enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee!

I n g r e d i e n t s

3 eggs

2 dl sugar
3 dl all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
100 g butter

Topping

2-3 apples
1 dl almonds, chopped
2-3 tbsp sugar
1-2 ts cinnamon, ground
100 g marzipan or almond paste, grated
* Grease a deep oblong cake tin, about 20 x 30 cm / 8 x 12 inches OR a deep round cake tin 24cm diameter / 9,5 inches

Start by preparing the topping as it will take a little time!


Topping

1. Peel the apples and cut them into small slices
2. Make a mixture of sugar and cinnamon and coat the apples, let stand while you prepare the cake
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Cake

1. Melt the butter and leave it to cool
2. Beat egg and sugar together to eggnog (about 3-4 min)
3. Sift flour and baking powder together and add into the eggnog
4. Add the melted and cooled butter and mix until just combined
5. Pour the batter into prepared pan. Grate the marzipan all over the batter. Stick the apples in a row closely to eachother in the cake mixture and sprinkle the liquid from the apples on the top
7. Sprinkle chopped almonds all over the cake


Bake in a moderately pre-heated oven, at 175C / 347F for about 40 minutes (lowest slot) until firm to the touch and the cake pin comes out dry


Enjoy with a spoonful of whipped cream, vanilla sauce or vanilla ice cream!