Name: Danish Apple Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg (slightly beaten); 1 cup diced apple (not peeled, from about 1 large apple); 1/2 cup chopped pecans

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Easy Danish apple cake is loaded with apples and pecans. This recipe comes together in a matter of minutes for your new go-to fall cake.

This post was originally sponsored by Diamond of California.

Sometimes you find yourself in need of a dessert without much advance notice.

Perhaps your spouse announces that their boss is coming over for dinner. Maybe your neighbor gets sick and you want to take them something nice. Or perchance your best friend is going through an emotional crisis and you know that you’re both going to need dessert STAT.

It is in these moments that you need a quick and easy go-to dessert. Consider Danish apple cake to be that dessert.

This is yet another one of my great-grandmother’s recipes. Much like the beloved refrigerator roll recipe, this recipe came from a friend who lived in town. I can see why my Ma-Ma asked for the recipe – it uses only a handful of ingredients, comes together in a snap, and is always a hit.

Table of Contents

Quick and easy Danish apple cake

I know you’re gonna ask me: “Stephie, why is this called a Danish apple cake?”

I have to be so real with you right now: I genuinely have no idea. Remember, this came from my great-grandmother’s recipe box, so it’s an old recipe and the source is long gone.

I did do some research and it seems that there is a huge variety in apple cakes in Denmark. There’s everything from a trifle-like dessert made with stewed apples to tart-like cakes to cakes that more closely resemble this one.

So is this a “traditional” Danish dessert? I honestly have no idea. But what I can tell you is that this simple cake is incredibly delicious and bound to be a hit at your house.

The cake batter comes together in one bowl, bakes in about 30 minutes, and makes an 8×8-inch cake. It’s the perfect fall “snacking cake” if you ask me!

How to make this easy apple cake

To make my great-grandmother’s Danish apple cake, you will need:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 cup diced apple (not peeled – from about 1 large apple)
1/2 cup chopped pecans

A simple list, right? In fact, you probably have most, if not all, of what you need in your pantry right now.

You’re probably noticing that the ingredients don’t call for any liquid aside from the 1 egg. I know this is weird, but it’s not a mistake!

The apple gives off just enough moisture that the batter comes together and the cake bakes up perfectly.

To make the apple cake, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

Add the egg and stir until mostly combined. The batter is going to be thick!

Fold in the diced apple and the chopped pecans and stir until the batter forms. Again, it’s going to be thick so don’t be alarmed.

Press the batter into a greased 8-inch cake or pie pan. Bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes; the cake is done when it’s golden brown and the edges of the cake pull away slightly from the edges of the pan.

Storage and serving suggestions

You can serve this Danish apple cake warm or at room temperature. Try dusting the top with a bit of powdered sugar and serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even a drizzle of salted caramel sauce.

This cake will store well at room temperature, covered in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. It becomes even more moist as it sits, so it’s even better on day two!