Description
This easy Jewish apple cake is a nostalgic, dairy-free dessert packed with caramelized apples and warm cinnamon. Moist, tender, and bursting with fruit, it’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or cozy afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil (canola or sunflower)
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced thin
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for apples)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine (for caramelizing; use margarine for dairy-free)
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice 4 large apples. Toss with 1/2 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter or margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Add apple mixture and sauté for 5–7 minutes until soft and caramelized. Let cool slightly.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10-inch tube pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, eggs, orange juice, and vanilla extract.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Pour one-third of the batter into the prepared pan. Add half of the caramelized apples in an even layer. Repeat with another third of the batter, then the rest of the apples, finishing with the final third of batter.
- Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with moist crumbs.
- Let cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edges, invert onto a wire rack, and cool completely before slicing.
- Slice and serve. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze.
Notes
Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture. Sift flour for a lighter crumb. Don’t overmix the batter to keep the cake tender. Grease the pan thoroughly to prevent sticking. The cake is flexible—try gluten-free flour, vegan swaps, or add nuts and raisins for variation. Flavors deepen after a day, making leftovers even better.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Jewish, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
Keywords: Jewish apple cake, dairy-free dessert, caramelized apples, easy cake recipe, autumn baking, holiday dessert, apple cake, traditional cake, moist cake, cinnamon apple cake