Traditional Norwegian Eplekake (Apple Cake)

I first learned of eplekake on a trip to Norway. My husband’s cousin served it for dessert with fresh whipped cream. And I fell in love! I think this traditional Norwegian cake is the perfect autumn treat.

A few weeks back, my husband and I went to our favorite local U-Pick farm near our home. I love being able to go there to get the things we don’t have growing on our own homestead. I prefer to support small scale local farms whenever possible. And it is especially nice because this farm does not spray any chemicals on their produce!

We were able to get a bushel of apples of different kinds (about 40 pounds). We picked Red Delicious, Granny Smith and several heirloom varieties.

I am planning to make apple butter (recipe in my Autumn Living Journal) and apple sauce to can and store for winter. But I also reserved a few apples for making this traditional Norwegian eplekake. I make it every year for my husband’s birthday, which is in the last week of September.

Eplekake, or apple cake, instantly transports me back to Norway. A few years ago my husband Nils and I were blessed with a chance to visit his distant family who still live on the family farm. We sat around the table in the old house my husband’s ancestor had built himself. We ate Eplekake made with apples from the farm. Topped with fresh whipped cream. And I absolutely fell in love with this cake!

My recipe for traditional Norwegian eplekake is based on the recipe from Nevada Berg’s wonderful cookbook North Wild Kitchen. I highly recommend it if you are into traditional Norwegian food!

Tips For Making Traditional Norwegian Eplekake:

• I like to use a variety of apples in this recipe. For example, this time I used one Red Delicious, one Granny Smith and two different heirloom varieties. I think this helps to create a richer flavor.
  
• Don’t skimp on the apples, or the cinnamon! It will seem like a lot at first, but the apples cook down into the cake, making it really moist and flavorful.
  
• I always bake this in a deep dish glass pie pan. But I would think you could also use a springform cake pan or a 9×9 glass casserole dish (I haven’t tried it though!)
• If you have one, an apple corer/peeler can make the process quicker. I do not have one, so I just use a knife and vegetable peeler.

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Tools:

• Deep Dish Pie Pan (9.5”) or Cake Pan
• Mixing Bowl (This is a similar bowl to the one I am using, from the beloved Mason Cash)
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Cutting Board
• Knife

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup lightly salted butter (if using unsalted butter, add a dash of salt)
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup cream
• 4 apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup slivered almonds
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. cinnamon

How to Make Traditional Norwegian Eplekake (Apple Cake):

First, pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Second, butter your baking dish.

Third, combine the flour and baking soda in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Next, beat the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.

Then add in the eggs, one at a time.

Now add in the flour and baking soda mixture and blend well.

Slowly add in the cream and mix just until incorporated.

Pour the batter into your buttered baking dish.

Now arrange the apple slices on top of the batter, starting in the center and moving outward in a circle.

Sprinkle with cinnamon, brown sugar and slivered almonds. Scatter a few pats of butter on top too.

Bake for about one hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool in the pan before serving.

I like to serve this with hand churned homemade vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream!

Have you ever had Eplekake? What are some of your treasured family recipes that are rich with memories, stories, songs? Please share down below!

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