Cheat’s Danish Apple Cake (Gammeldags Æblekage) comprises of layers of stewed apple & crushed oat cookies topped with whipped cream & grated dark chocolate. My easy twist on this traditional Danish dessert!
Table of contents
Why I Developed Cheat’s Danish Apple Cake
Today I’m sharing my delicious Cheat’s Danish Apple Cake (Gammeldags Æblekage) with you which despite the name has nothing to do with cake but is more like an apple trifle!
When I think of autumn, I think of apples and one of my favourite apple desserts, a traditional Danish Apple Cake (linked further down) which I posted a few years ago.
This is usually layers of sweetened (not overly) stewed apple with vanilla, sweetened toasted oats (or breadcrumbs) topped with whipped cream and I like to finish with a grating of dark chocolate.
I think the contrast between the slight tartness of the apple, the sweetness of the crumb layer and the creaminess of the whipped cream topping is what makes this dessert such a winner.
The grated chocolate isn’t traditional but my Danish mum added it and so it’s become an integral part of the recipe!
I have to admit that as much as I enjoy eating Danish Apple Cake, (usually courtesy of my mum at Christmas and other special occasions), I rarely make it myself.
It’s the making of the toasted oats with sugar and butter that can sometimes be a bit tricky as they can catch and burn, plus it’s just another bit of fiddle and an extra pan to wash up.
Hence, it was time to give this traditional Danish dessert recipe a modern time-saving twist I felt!
For some time I’ve thought I should cheat and substitute the toasted oats for something else. So I decided to use crushed oat cookies (eg McVities Hobnobs but I used a supermarket’s own brand).
You could also use granola, Amarettini biscuits or any other crunchy biscuit eg Gingernuts would be great to ring the changes!
Ingredients
- Bramley Apples (cooking apples) – go nice and mushy on cooking.
- Dessert Apples – hold their shape and so a good contrast in texture to the cooking apples.
- Granulated Sugar – for subtly sweetening the apples.
- Vanilla Sugar – again for sweetening and adding flavour to the apples.
- Oat Cookies (eg Hobnobs) – for added crunch and sweetness.
- Whipping Cream – I prefer this to double cream which can easily be overwhipped.
- Dark Chocolate – adds flavour and decoration.
How to Make Cheat’s Danish Apple Cake
Here’s a summary, the full recipe is at the bottom of the post.
- Peel, quarter, core, and slice apples and place in a pan of water.
- Drain the water and add 1 tbsp of water, vanilla sugar and granulated sugar.
- Bring the pan to a simmer under a lid and stew apple until tender.
- Transfer the stewed apples to a bowl to cool.
- Whip the cream into soft peaks.
- Place oat cookies in a bowl and crush with a rolling pin.
- Then add a layer of stewed apple into 6 serving glasses or one large bowl followed by a layer of crumbled oat cookies, repeat and top with a layer of whipped cream and grated chocolate.
How Do You Serve Cheat’s Danish Apple Cake?
I’ve usually served it in one large serving bowl but this time opted for individual glasses/goblets.
You could even make miniature dessert shots in tiny glasses which would be great if you’re having a buffet and want to serve various desserts!
My mother has started using crushed Digestive biscuits (similar to Graham Crackers) and serves a deconstructed version whereby everyone can assemble the dessert in their own dish at the table!
This a great idea if you have people of different ages or dietary needs, they can just take as much or as little as they want of each component!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, use gluten-free oat cookies which are readily available in supermarkets.
It’s best eaten within 3 days, but the sooner the better as the cookie crumb will soften.
More Apple Desserts
Here are some more really delicious apple desserts for you to try from me and other food bloggers:
- Original Danish Apple Cake (Æblekage)
- Eve’s Pudding
- Quick Apple Puddings
- Apple & Marzipan Dumplings
- Apple Meringue
- Rustic Apple Galettes with Honey & Thyme
- Homemade Caramel Apple Ice Cream
- Open Face Apple Pie
- Apple Rose Puffed Pastries
- Apple Rhubarb Crisp
- Peanut Butter Apple Cheesecake
- Blackcurrant and Apple Steamed Pudding
I’m sure you’ll love my delicious Cheat’s Danish Apple Cake so do give it a try! It’s the stress free, easy dessert you can make ahead for the festive period or any special occasion!
Pin my easy Danish Apple Cake recipe for later!
Do leave a comment and rating below when you’ve made this recipe as I love getting your feedback! You can also share your pictures by tagging @FabFood4All over on Instagram.
Cheat’s Danish Apple Cake (Gammeldags Æblekage)
Equipment
- 1 set of Digital scales
- 1 Set of measuring spoons
- 1 Rolling Pin
- 2 Bowls medium sized
- 1 Paring knife
- 1 Vegetable peeler
- 1 Chopping Board
- 1 Measuring jug
- 1 Dessert spoon
- 1 Whisk manual or electric
- 1 Saucepan with lid medium sized
- 6 Glass dessert dishes or large glass bowl
Ingredients
- 500 g Bramley apples
- 500 g dessert apples
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla sugar
- 200 g oat cookies eg Hobnobs
- 300 ml whipping cream
- 15 g grated dark chocolate
Instructions
- Peel, quarter, core and finely slice apples dropping them into a pan filled with water as you prepare (to prevent browning).
- Drain the apples and add 1 tablespoon water, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and, 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar to the pan.
- Bring pan to a simmer and stew apples gently under a lid until tender (about 10 – 15 minutes).
- Transfer stewed apples to a bowl and allow to cool.
- Whip the cream in a bowl until softly stiff, then refrigerate.
- Put the oat cookies in a bowl and crush with the back of a rolling pin until you have irregular crumbs. (Using a food processor just turns them into too fine a crumb).
- Spoon a layer of cooled stewed apple into 6 serving glasses/goblets or one large bowl followed by a layer of crushed cookies, then repeat and top with a layer of whipped cream and grated chocolate.
- Serve straight away or chill in the fridge until serving.
Video
Notes
- Instead of oat cookies, you can also use Amarettini biscuits, granola, or another biscuit of your choice! Ginger biscuits would be fab to ring the changes. For ease, you can prepare all the elements of this dessert the day before you need it and just put it together at the last minute before serving!
- To grate the chocolate I find a potato peeler does the best job!
- If you can’t get hold of Bramley apples (cooking apples) then just use all dessert apples and add a little less sugar.
- You can easily make this dessert gluten-free by using gluten-free oat cookies which are available in supermarkets.
Ninja
Hmmm. No currant jelly? I grew up with it too, but Zweibach crumbs were used for the layers. The red layers and the contrast in textures is part of what makes it wonderful. The chocolate seems out of place.
Camilla
If that’s the way you like it then great. Not something I’ve ever seen in Denmark and wouldn’t imagine any of my relatives using a German ingredient in their aeblekage although some did use breadcrumbs toasted in a frying pan. My mor always added grated chocolate to the cream and it’s a tradition I carry on. You can make a recipe to your own liking, there are no rules once you’re in your kitchen. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts:-)
Sunil Dogra
Looks so delicious and perfect for parties! Pure comfort food for sure! Thanks for sharing.
Camilla
Thank you Sunil:-)
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
Such a clever idea – I love an individual dessert! This sounds beautiful.
Camilla
Thank you, it’s simple yet so effective and delicious:-)
Sisley White
These look amazing. Your photography is so beautiful I could just reach out and grab it.
Camilla
Thank you so much Sisley:-)
glenn hutton
These look fab, the only apple dessert where I eat apples is in a pie, thanks for this option!