Danish Apple Cake (Æblekage)
So it’s officially Autumn and my mind automatically turns to apples. I was recently lucky enough to be given a couple of carrier bags of Bramleys from a neighbour and also managed to forage some dessert apples from a recent trip out kayaking! So what to make?
Well for some time now I have been meaning to make my mother’s Danish Apple Cake (Æblekage) which translated from Danish mean Apple Cake. It’s not really a cake though as there is no baking involved, it’s more like a trifle type dessert minus the cake and custard! But it is often served in the afternoon with coffee and does solidify like a cake when left in the fridge.
My mum has been making Æblekage for as long as I can remember and I think most Danes have their own way of making it.
Some use bread crumbs or even crushed macaroons in the layers but this version uses toasted oats which are coated in butter and sugar.
Many versions also use all dessert apples but there is a nice contrast to be had when using Bramleys too, in both texture and flavour. The stewed apple doesn’t want to be sweet but the sugar is just there to take away the tartness from the Bramley apples.
The crunchy sweet layer of oats contrasted with the apples and cream make for a delicious dessert and the grated chocolate is just my mum’s indulgent addition.
This recipe makes enough for about 6 – 8 servings as personally I like to have enough dessert for the next day (and it’s so good) but you could always halve the quantity.
Traditionally Danish Apple Cake is served in a crystal bowl but can also be made in individual goblets if you prefer (fab for dinner parties). This is a very budget friendly dessert especially at this time of year when apples are in plentiful supply and there are lots of offers out there!
I don’t think my mum has ever measured anything out for her Danish Apple Cake as most of her recipes are just done from her head and by eye. This is therefore my interpretation and after asking my son to compare the 2 versions he said mine was spot on – job done!
I have now made a Cheat’s Danish Apple Cake (Gammeldags Æblekage) served in individual glasses which you should check out if you’re pushed for time!
Cheat’s Danish Apple Cake (Gammeldags Æblekage)
More Apple Cakes & Desserts
- Quick Apple Puddings
- Apple Meringue
- Lilian’s Apple Cake – Danish
- Apple & Marzipan Dumplings
- Apple & Blueberry Tarte Tatin
- Eve’s Pudding
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
I’m sure you’ll love this Danish Apple Cake so please leave a comment and rating when you make it. If you’re on social media you can tag @FabFood4All with you pictures as I love seeing my recipes come to life!
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Danish Apple Cake (Æblekage)
Ingredients
- 500 g Bramley apples (about 3 apples)
- 500 g dessert apples (about 5 apples)
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla sugar
- 50 g unsalted butter (2 oz)
- 200 g rolled oats (2 cups)
- 125 g granulated sugar (1 cup + 2 tbsp)
- 300 ml whipping cream (1.3 cups)
- 1 tbsp grated plain chocolate
Instructions
- Fill a large pan with water.
- Peel, core and finely slice apples and drop into water.
- Drain water, leaving 1 tbsp and stew apples with 3 tbsp sugar and vanilla sugar under a lid until tender. (About 10 – 15 minutes).
- Transfer cooked apple slices to a bowl and allow to cool.
- In a large frying pan melt butter over a gentle heat, then add 125g sugar, stirring with a wooden spoon.
- Once sugar has turned into a caramel with butter (this will take a few minutes) stir in the oats until they are golden and toasted. (Be careful not to burn).
- Allow to cool.
- Finally whip cream and place half the apple mixture into a bowl followed by half the toasted oats, then repeat and finish off with a layer of cream and decorate with grated chocolate.
- Serve straight away or chill until needed.
Laura
My husbands family used zwebak toast crumbs and apple sauce. Your recipe sounds much better! I’m trying it asap! Thank you
Camilla
Fresh ingredients always taste better, I’m sure you’ll love this:-)
Karen Jespersen
Do you have American amount of ingredients please?
My husband is Danish and his mother use to make this for him.
Thank you!!!
Camilla
Hi Karen, I don’t usually do conversions but as this is a recipe where you don’t have to be too precise (like in my jam recipes) I have Googled for conversion to cups and also weighed the apples in my kitchen to gauge how many you needed. Please see the updated recipe:-)
Vibeke Østergaard
Bread crums …that’s the right thing to use for an original Danish Apple Cake
Apples should be with a flavour of lemons.
Vibeke Østergaard
Denmark
Camilla
My mormor was a passionate foodie and moved over to using oats which became fashionable and my mum preferred this too although her sisters would make it with breadcrumbs. Recipes evolve and change with time and taste, nothing ever stands still. I’m in enough Danish Facebook groups to know that there is no one way of doing recipes, each family had and has their own way of doing things. I also have a cheat’s version where I crush up oat biscuits and serve in individual glasses which is my spin on it. But this is very much a Danish recipe although the grated chocolate was my mum’s addition.
Vibeke Østergaard
My family’s dessert. My mother always made this on our farm in Jutland in Denmark. Your recipe is perfect, and I’ m going to send it to Bob in Arkanss, who was an exchange student with. my family for the summer of 1959.
He has just contacted me again at the age of 80
Vibeke Østergarrd
Denmark
Camilla
Wonderful Vibeke, where was your farm? My mum is from Aahus originally.
Tanya
I think I’d like it using oatmeal better than bread crumbs….thank you!