Description
Apple Gingerbread Cake is a rich, moist, and warmly spiced dessert that brings together the bold flavors of traditional gingerbread with the sweet, tender juiciness of apples. This cozy dessert is perfect for autumn, winter, or any festive gathering when you want something that feels like a hug on a plate. With the zest of lemon, the zing of ginger, and the deep molasses undertone, it’s a cake that tells a story in every bite.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1½ cups (195g) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- ½ cup (120ml) flavorless oil (vegetable, canola, or light olive oil)
- ¾ cup (180ml) plain yogurt (Greek-style preferred)
- 2 tbsp (30g) unsulphured molasses or honey
- ⅔ cup (135g) granulated sugar
Topping:
- 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- ½ tbsp granulated sugar
Optional Glaze:
- ¼ cup (70g) apricot preserves
- 1 tsp water or Grand Marnier
- ¼ cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
Instructions
- Prep the Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter and line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and lemon zest.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk eggs, oil, yogurt, molasses, and sugar until smooth.
- Combine: Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Assemble: Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Arrange apple slices over the batter, slightly overlapping. Sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake: Bake for 35–45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Glaze (Optional): Heat apricot preserves until boiling, strain, and mix with water or liqueur. Brush over warm cake and apples.
- Serve: Cool slightly and serve warm or at room temperature. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.
Notes
Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra cozy touch. You can also drizzle with a light caramel sauce or dust with powdered sugar for a festive finish. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a comforting treat on chilly evenings!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Apple Gingerbread Cake Recipe