The Best Jewish Apple Cake Recipe (2024)

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This really is The Best Jewish Apple Cake Recipe! It features the texture of moist pound cake, plus the ribbons of gooey cinnamon sugar you'd find in coffee cake. This is my family's favorite dessert!

Hands down, this Jewish apple cake is the most beloved dessert that's ever come out of my kitchen. This is no run-of-the-mill apple cake, people.

It features the texture of moist pound cake, plus the ribbons of gooey cinnamon sugar you'd find in coffee cake. A hint of fresh orange juice flavor shines through, and a brown, crunchy crust wraps its sweet goodness around the edges.

I've made this fresh apple cake nearly 75 times over many years, and to say it's a family favorite is an understatement.

I first saw the recipe published in the Plain Dealer, and the article described how it came from Columbus caterers Paula Levine Weinstein and Julie Komerofsky Remer, who claimed it was their customers' favorite dessert.

That point really struck me, because I never thought apple cake was anything to write home about. I mean, out of all possible desserts, for people to say this was their favorite...well I just had to investigate.

I'm so glad I did. This is the best-ever apple cake!

Recipe ingredients

Jewish apple cakes are parve, which is Hebrew for kosher food that doesn't contain dairy or meat. So there is no milk and no butter. But this does have eggs, and oil replaces the butter.

The original recipe didn't specify the types of oil, apples or flour to use, but through experimentation, I've arrived at my preferred varieties of each. If you want to replicate this cake as it comes from my kitchen, here's what you need to know.

Use olive oil (not extra virgin). While vegetable oil is typically found in a Jewish apple cake recipe, I use plain olive oil instead. It elevates the cake to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Use Fuji apples. I'm not a fan of tart apples, soft apples or apples that smell like perfume. So, the sweet, crisp and sturdy Fuji is my go-to apple for all snacking and baking.

In the past, I've subbed in Gala apples when I couldn't find Fuji, but always was a bit disappointed. Now, if I can't find Fujis, I just don't make the cake.

I know, so picky! But trust me.

Use King Arthur Flour. You might be thinking, "Flour is flour." To that, I say, bake a cake with King Arthur Flour (affiliate link), and you'll never go back.

After my mother-in-law tipped me off to this years ago, I made the switch. The apple cake's texture improved noticeably, to the point that family members were commenting this cake was better than ever.

The crusty edges are to die for!

Slicing the apples

Peel, core and slice the apples into half circles about ¼-inch thick. I use an apple peeler/corer/slicer (affiliate link) for this, but you can use a knife.

Tip: Tossing the apples with a little flour helps to absorb excess moisture so you don't have a soggy cake.

How to assemble Jewish apple cake

  1. Add half the batter to a greased 10-inch tube pan (affiliate link).
  2. Sprinkle on a fourth of the cinnamon sugar.
  3. Place half of the apple slices in the pan.
  4. Sprinkle on a fourth of the cinnamon sugar.
  5. Repeat steps 1-4, so you have two full layers of batter and apples.

Time to bake!

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to use Fuji apples?

I like Fuji apples best, but if you enjoy the taste and texture of another variety, you can substitute them.

Why not use extra-virgin olive oil for the cake?

Extra-virgin olive oil has a strong flavor that will be overpowering here. You need a mild-tasting oil. If you don't have regular olive oil, substitute vegetable or canola oil.

Can you freeze Jewish apple cake?

Yes! You can freeze it by the slice or freeze a whole or partial cake.

So, there you have it. This really is the best Jewish apple cake recipe, and the best apple cake recipe, period.

Children will request this cake for their birthdays, and teenagers will cut themselves huge slabs for servings. Guests will line up for seconds (or fourths) and relatives will ask you when you're going to make it next.

I hope you give it a try!

And if you love apple desserts but want something guilt free, don't miss this Cinnamon Apple Smoothie. You also might light this easy Gluten-Free Pear Crisp with Oats. Oh, and you have to try this Easy Apple Pie Moonshine!

More desserts to try

  • Amaretto Pear Cake with Canned Pears
  • Chinese Chews (Date-Nut Bars)
  • Torta Caprese
  • Single-Layer Carrot Cake without Nuts
  • Angel Food Cake with Raspberries and Cream
  • Italian Panettone

Enjoy!

The Best Jewish Apple Cake Recipe (8)

The Best Jewish Apple Cake Recipe

This really is The Best Jewish Apple Cake! It has the texture of moist pound cake, a crunchy crust, plus ribbons of gooey cinnamon sugar. Adapted from Paula Levine Weinstein & Julie Komerofsky Remer.

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Jewish

Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 2 hours hours 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 -16

Calories: 358kcal

Author: Mamma C

Ingredients

Apples

  • 3 Fuji apples (peeled, cored & sliced ¼-inch thick)
  • 1 heaping teaspoon all-purpose flour

Cinnamon Sugar

  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Batter

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (preferably King Arthur)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup olive oil (not extra-virgin)
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup orange juice

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Peel, core, and slice the apples into crescent moon shapes that are ¼-inch thick. (If using an apple peeler-corer-slicer, make sure to remove any stray peel or parts of the core remaining on the slices.) In a medium bowl, gently toss the apples with the heaping teaspoon of flour to absorb any moisture and prevent sogginess.

  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Use baking spray to grease a 10-inch tube pan (that ideally has a removable bottom), making sure to grease the tube as well. In a small bowl, prepare the cinnamon sugar by tossing together the ¾ cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.

  • In a large mixing bowl, place all of the batter ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, olive oil, eggs, vanilla and orange juice). Beat until smooth. (If using a stand mixer, you will need to stop and scrape the bottom of the bowl halfway during the process to make sure everything gets mixed in.)

  • To assemble the cake, pour half of the batter into the greased pan. Use a spoon to divide the cinnamon sugar into four equal quadrants in your bowl. Sprinkle a fourth of the cinnamon sugar evenly onto the batter, making sure to reach all the way to the edges of the pan.

  • Arrange half of the apple slices in a circular pattern on the batter, overlapping as needed. Sprinkle another fourth of the cinnamon sugar evenly onto the apples. Pour the rest of the batter on top.

  • Sprinkle on another fourth of the cinnamon sugar, again making sure to reach the edges of the pan. Arrange most of the remaining apples (pick the best slices) in a circular pattern on top of the batter. You also can arrange a few of the broken slices around the hole in the center. Sprinkle on the remaining cinnamon sugar evenly.

  • Bake at 300 degrees F for 90 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes. (Check after 90 minutes for doneness by inserting a cake tester or toothpick into the cake to see if it comes out clean. If not, continue baking until it is done.)

  • Let the cake rest for 20 minutes on a stove rack or wire rack before trying to remove it from the pan (or else it will stick and crack). Then, place a dinner plate face down on top of the cake. Wearing oven mitts, carefully invert the cake onto the plate (using one hand to firmly hold the plate in place and the other hand to flip the pan over, onto the plate). If the pan has a removable bottom, carefully remove it.

  • The cake will be upside down at this point. Place a wire cooling rack on the cake surface and invert it again, so that the cake is right-side up and can finish cooling on the rack. When the cake reaches room temperature, transfer it to a serving platter or cake stand by inverting it onto a plate and then inverting it again onto your serving platter or cake stand.

  • Store the apple cake at room temperature, covered with foil (plastic will create too much moisture.) The cake should keep well for up to four days. The apple cake also freezes well.

Video

Notes

I only use Fuji apples for this cake, but if you enjoy the taste and texture of another variety, you can substitute them.

Regular olive oil provides the best flavor for this cake. Do not use extra virgin, because the flavor will be too strong. You can substitute vegetable oil or canola oil, and the cake will be good. The olive oil takes it to the next level though!

King Arthur Flour is the best for cakes. It really makes a difference in the texture!

Nutrition

Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 213mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 51g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 4.7mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1.9mg

Tried this Recipe? Mention @cookingwithmammac or tag #CookingWithMammaC!

(Recipe Source: Adapted from Paula Levine Weinstein and Julie Komerofsky Remer. Originally published on November 20, 2014 and updated now with new photos and additional text.)

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The Best Jewish Apple Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do they call it Jewish apple cake? ›

Why is it called a Jewish Apple Cake? This apple cake is often made on Rosh Hashana to celebrate the eating of a new fruit such as apples. The use of oil makes the cake pareve, meaning Jewish families who observe Jewish dietary laws can serve it at either meat or dairy meals.

Why does my apple cake fall apart? ›

Why Did My Apple Cake Fall Apart? There are two main reasons why an apple cake would fall apart: (1) it was simply too warm when you were trying to cut and serve it or (2) you used too many/the wrong kind of apple.

Does apple cake need to be refrigerated? ›

I've found that fresh apple cake does need to be refrigerated for freshness, particularly with the addition of the cream cheese frosting. To Store. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 5 days. Let come close to room temperature prior to serving.

What is the Hebrew word for cake? ›

עוּגָה The Hebrew word for cake – עוגה – appears in as early a text as the biblical Book of Genesis, though there it may not refer to a sweet dessert. Since the word itself is related to מעגל – circle, it referred originally to a circular baked good.

What do apples symbolize in Judaism? ›

It is a symbol of beauty, sweetness and the hope for prosperity, and the hardiness of the fruit and its durability represents strength and growth. At Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, Jewish people dip apples into honey to symbolise their hopes for a sweet year ahead.

Why is my fruitcake crumbly but moist? ›

This can happen for a variety of reasons ranging from type of flour, not enough eggs/wrong size eggs, not enough liquid or fats and even storage. 'Causes of crumbly fruit cake'.

Why is my apple cake dense? ›

Problem: My cake is very dense.

This could be because the cake mixture didn't have enough air beaten into it or perhaps eggs were added too quickly and curdled. Another reason could be that there wasn't enough raising agent.

Can I leave apple cake out overnight? ›

How long can cake sit out unrefrigerated? If your cake is frosted with buttercream, it will last covered at room temperature for up to four days. However, it is best to refrigerate cakes with other frostings such as cream cheese or ganache. A fully covered unfrosted cake will last for up to 2 days at room temperature.

Can I freeze homemade apple cake? ›

It is quite large, so if you want to keep yourself from being tempted to eat too much, you could cut the cake into quarters and freeze some for another time. Wrapped tightly, it will freeze well for 3 months. Defrost the cake fully before serving and warm it through in a low oven or a microwave if you like.

Can you freeze raw apple cake? ›

Yes! Apple cake freezes well. Simply wrap the cooled cake in a layer of storage wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.

What if I forgot to butter my cake pan? ›

Forgetting to grease or flour a cake pan can put you on a fast track to dessert disaster. Kimball has a simple fix -- fill a larger pan with hot water and set your cake pan inside. Let it sit for three minutes, then remove the cake from the pan -- it should come out easily!

How long should a cake cool in a tube pan before removing? ›

It's important to pay attention to the specifics called for in a recipe, but in general, most cakes are best removed from the pan after cooling for 10 to 20 minutes. Try it too soon, and it may fall apart. Wait too long, and it may stick.

How do you keep a cake from falling apart? ›

Overbeating can add too much additional air and/or large air bubbles which the cake can't support, causing it to collapse in the oven. Beat your butter and sugar gradually at medium to medium-high speed. Don't beat too aggressively; creaming can't be rushed, as the air needs to be incorporated gradually.

How do you keep fruit cake from crumbling when cutting? ›

Fruit cake needs care and patience to cut into small portions, or it will crumble! A sharp serrated knife with a long blade is essential; a good SHARP bread knife is usually suitable. Ornamental knives used for the cake cutting ceremony are not sharp enough. USING A BLUNT KNIFE WILL MAKE THE CAKE CRUMBLE!

How do you save a cake that is falling apart? ›

7 Smart Pivots for When You've Broken a Cake
  1. Use your frosting as cake “glue.” ...
  2. Turn your cake into tres leches cake. ...
  3. Make mini cakes (or petit fours). ...
  4. Make like the Brits and trifle. ...
  5. Admit defeat and make cake pops or balls. ...
  6. Make cake-based bread pudding. ...
  7. Make cake croutons or crumbs.
Dec 2, 2022

How do you keep a cake from crumbling? ›

Using the right flour with a lower gluten content will help with your crumbly cake fix. Cake flour that's milled only from soft wheat contains anywhere from 7 to 9 percent protein, which results in a light cake.

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