Simple Apple Cake
There is so much to love about this apple cake….and you can think of it as a cake, or perhaps just an apple loaf, because it’s easy to make (just one bowl!) and comes together in less than an hour. The tart apples and the rich olive oil cake base make such a winning combo! All you need are 8 simple ingredients and one big bowl. You don’t even need to peel the apples! It’s almost like cheating…but you aren’t! You are perfect - you’re doing it exactly right!
I am so excited to be kicking off a fall baking series. There is just so much to love about the flavours, smells and yes, tastes, from autumnal baking. It’s the ultimate baking season! This easy, apple coffee cake needs to be added to your list to bake this fall. It's sure to become a family favourite.
Whether you serve it at room temperature, warmed slightly for dessert (add some cream or ice-cream for the ultimate indulgence, or for breakfast, you are going to love this one.
You could even make this nut-free by omitting the almonds and substituting vanilla extract for the almond extract.
Simple Apple Cake
Ingredients:
For the cake:
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs at room temp
2/3 cup good-quality extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon almond extract
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sea salt
12/3 cups all-purpose flour
For the topping:
2 medium apples, cored and cut into thin slices
¼ cup sliced almonds
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line with parchment paper, greasing the parchment paper as well.
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until thick and frothy, about 2 minutes. Add in the olive oil, almond extract, baking powder, baking soda and salt and whisk for 1 minute more. Add in the flour and mix until just combined.
Pour into the prepared baking dish. Starting on the outside of the pan, lay the apple slices one next to the other, slightly overlapping, and work your way to the middle. Sprinkle the almond slices evenly over the top, drizzle the lemon juice and then sprinkle the cinnamon (do this from up high, pinching some between your thumb and index finger). Finally, dust the top with sugar.
Bake in the center of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until it’s puffed, lightly bronzed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with some crumbs but no wet batter. Let cool on a rack for 20 minutes before taking out of the pan to finish cooling on a rack.
If you bake this cake and share it on social, would you please tag me @christies.lovestory? I love to see your creations!
Don’t have any apples on hand? No biggie! Try swapping out pears or even nectarines! Use this as a fool-proof base for any delicious coffee cake!