I like to call this apple cake a slice of cardamom heaven.
It’s baking season, and that calls for lots of cozy, sweet smelling recipes, am I right? And since it also happens to be apple season, I’m sharing one of my all time favorite fall time cakes with y’all. You may have seen me posting it on Instagram a few weeks back.
Today’s recipe is actually called Finnish Omenakakku, but since very few of you probably speak Finnish, we’ll just call it apple cake. A simple apple cake like this is very traditional in Finnish baking. I’ve seen my mother whip one up more than once when company is coming. I’ve eaten more than a few slices over tea with my grandmother.
What I love about apple cake is that it isn’t an overly sweet dessert, and the texture is perfectly soft and moist. It’s a solid cake without being too heavy.
But the best part is the cardamom. Finns use cardamom in almost all of our sweet baking. The smell itself evokes so many memories for me. I just adore the way the sweet fragrant cardamom pairs with fresh fall time apples. It really does feel like heaven to me.
The recipe is super easy. Just a few simple ingredients coming together to make a humble cake that you will want to make again and again. We all need those go-to recipes that never fail.
Obviously this is not the OG recipe from my childhood. I took liberties and made it gluten and dairy free. But the feeling is still the same. Warm, cozy, and totally worthy of a chilly fall day and a hot cup of tea.
xo,
Katja
Cardamom Apple Cake (gluten free)
Ingredients
FOR TOPPING:
- 1 large apple, peeled and sliced into 24 slices
- 1 and 1/2 tbsp coconut sugar (like this)
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder (like this)
FOR CAKE:
- 1 and 1/2 cups almond flour (I use THIS blanched brand)
- 1/2 cup arrowroot powder (like this)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
- 1 cup of apple, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup butter, ghee, or coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ACV (I use THIS raw brand)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350’F. Line 10 inch cast iron skillet with parchment paper and oil liberally.
- To make topping, combine apple slices, coconut sugar, and cardamom in a small bowl. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together almond flour, arrowroot, baking soda, salt, and cardamom. Fold in apple cubes.
- In another bowl, whisk together eggs, maple syrup, fat of choice, vanilla, and apple cider vinegar. Add wet to dry and mix until thoroughly incorporated.
- Pour batter into prepared skillet and arrange apple slices over in a circular pattern. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until golden and center is firm. ENJOY!
Notes
- If you don’t have a 10 inch cast iron skillet, you can make this is a 10 inch spring form pan. Bake time will be a bit less ~ 30-35 minutes.
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where is this recipe? it’s not on the page…
Technical difficulties today on the site. My recipe card disappeared, but it has been fixed. Thanks for the heads up. All should be well now. 🙂
I do not see the recipe!
We had technical difficulties with the recipe card on my site. It should all be fixed and visible now. 🙂
hmmmm I don’t see the recipe????
We had technical difficulties with the recipe card on my site. It should all be fixed and visible now. 🙂
This was amazing. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe.
Yay! I’m so happy you liked it. 🙂
Ok that’s it – I was just saying this weekend that I wanted to have something else special at the table for dessert on Thanksgiving other than pumpkin pie and THIS is so beautiful – I think this will be it! Thanks!
Oh, yay! I’m so glad to hear that. ENJOY!
Such an amazing version of apple pie! Looks perfect for the holidays.
Thanks, Jean!
This is so beautiful! I love cardamom, it’s such a special spice and always so delicious with apples.
Thank you , Emily!
It turned out beautifully, and what wonderful healthy ingredients. Perfect for fall!
Thanks, Carrie!
How beautiful! I love cardamom, too. Such a special seasonal treat!
Thanks, Meagan!
I’m trying it without the added maple syrup. I have been sugar free for quit a while. I did add the little bit of coconut sugar on the apples. Cross your fingers
Hope it turned out OK for you. 🙂
I have to admit I don’t think I’ve ever baked with cardamon and I feel like I’m missing out. This cake looks so moist and delicious! What a treat 🙂
Oh, you are so missing out! Cardamom is my fav spice to bake with.
This is the perfect dessert for me as someone whose sweet tooth comes and goes, but never gets too strong. Beautiful presentation xx
I agree! It’s sweet without being overboard.
This looks like a perfect Fall dessert!
I agree! We have so many apples right now. I think I need to make another apple cake today! 🙂
This is a must make for the holidays!
It’s perfect for a holiday dessert. Humble yet super delicious. Enjoy!
So excited to make this for Thanksgiving!!
It’s perfect wth any holiday meal. 🙂 Enjoy!
Ooooooh love it! Just my type of cake – recipe has been saved!
Thanks, Donna! Enjoy!
Looks AMAZING! Will definitely be making this. 🙂
Thanks, Marie!
Cardamom is one of my favorite spices, so I’m always looking for ways to use it, and this cake looks positively scrumptious!
Me, too! I put it in so many things. Current fav is a cashew cardamon smoothie.
Hi! This looks beautiful and delicious. One question: do you have any suggestions of how to swap out the eggs? I know a number of things that can be swapped for eggs but I haven’t tried doing it with anything with this many eggs. Thanks for any help.
Hi, Ines. I do not work much with egg replacements in my baking. You would have to experiment to see what works best for this recipe. I know many folks use flax and chia eggs, but I tolerate eggs so haven’t used them much. Please let me know if you give it a try.
Love this flavor combo. so delicious ! Thanks for sharing your lovely recipe !
Thanks, ChihYu.
YUM!!! Cardamom is my favorite fall spice! Looks so good!
Me, too! Thanks, Cristina.
I love cardamom but somehow rarely cook with it. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
I hope you get to try it, Amanda. 🙂
I just love cardamom–it’s one of my very favorite spices, too! This cake sounds amazing!
Thanks, Becky!
This looks beautiful! Unfortunately we can’t have almond flour in our home. Can I sub with cassava you think? Or maybe just a GF baking blend, like Pamela’s? What is your recommendation? Thanks!!
Hi, Alisa! Almond flour does sub out for other flours pretty well. You just have to experiment to get the texture just right. If you use another flour, it will totally change the texture and feel of this recipe. Cassava can be a bit dry by itself. You may have better luck with Pamela’s. I’d love to hear how it goes.
I made this in a springform pan and it is our new favourite recipe. So good. Thanks
YAY!! This is definitely one of my go-to recipes.
It is a delicious apple cake. Because I can’t have sugar I used Pyure maple syrup keto!! Added a few slivered almonds on top . This recipe is on the top of my list definitely will make again!!! ?
I can’t wait to try!! I want to make a smaller version in smaller cast iron…if I halve the recipe, should I do 1.5 eggs? Do you think 2 eggs is much? Never can do much with half an egg…
I haven’t tried halving the recipe, but I would just add the 2 eggs. I’d love to know how it turns out. 🙂