Light, airy, and soft as a cloud, this apple cake is a true classic at its best. With just a handful of ingredients, you can fill your home with its warm, inviting aroma. The apples add a lovely tartness, while the cake remains tender and velvety—made for pairing with an afternoon coffee. It’s the perfect treat for everyday indulgence or sharing with loved ones during a cozy gathering.

 

 

Key tips for making the perfect apple cake

The secret to a great apple cake lies in using high-quality ingredients. Flour and fresh eggs play a crucial role in achieving a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Opt for firm, tart apples to balance the cake’s sweetness. And if you want to elevate the flavor, a pinch of cinnamon will complement the apples perfectly.

 

What else should you keep in mind?

A warm slice of apple cake simply calls for a fragrant cup of coffee. Once your cake is out of the oven, let it cool slightly while you prepare your favorite brew. Then, settle into a cozy spot, share a piece with family or friends, and enjoy the moment. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect way to embrace autumn?

 

Fluffy apple cake recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) firm, tart apples
• 2 tbsp butter
• 4 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 250 g (1 cup) softened butter
• 200 g (1 cup) fine sugar
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 5 eggs (room temperature)
• 150 g (1 ¼ cups) cake flour
• 150 g (1 ¼ cups) potato starch
• 1 tsp baking powder

 

 

Step-by-step instructions

1. Prepare the apples – Peel and quarter the apples. Remove the cores, then slice each quarter into 4–5 pieces.
2. Sauté the apples – Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan, add the apples, sugar, and cinnamon. Sauté for about 10 minutes until slightly softened but still holding their shape. Stir in the lemon juice and let them cool.
3. Make the batter – Beat the softened butter with fine sugar until light and fluffy (about 6–7 minutes). Add the lemon zest, then gradually mix in the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Whip the egg whites – In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.
5. Combine the ingredients – Sift the cake flour, potato starch, and baking powder into the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Gently fold in the whipped egg whites using a spatula, ensuring a smooth, airy batter.
6. Prepare the baking pan – Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 21 cm x 28 cm (8 x 11 inches) baking pan with parchment paper.
7. Assemble the cake – Pour half of the batter into the pan, spread the sautéed apples on top, then cover with the remaining batter, smoothing it gently.
8. Bake – Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Enjoy!