My Danish Grandma’s Apple Cake

Written by Kajsa IngelssonNovember 22, 2017

Moma bear told me that the first snow fell over Sweden last week. She hurried into the kitchen and made this apple cake, based on a old family recipe from our danish side and adapted to be more in time. I think that’s a pretty awesome response to snow.

My Danish Grandma’s Apple Cake

About 1 hour, serves 4

Red Apple Sauce

  • 1 kg (2 lb) apples
  • 250 ml (1 cup) water
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, (or cardamom)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Date and Nut Crumble

  • 100 g (1 cup) almonds
  • 100 g (1 cup) hazelnuts
  • 8 dates

Whipped Coconut Cream

  • 1 can coconut milk or coconut cream. If you are using milk, place it in the fridge for a few hours before whipping it.

How to do it:

  • Rinse the apples and chop them in bite size pieces, discarding the core.
  • Place in a large pan along with water, fresh ginger, vanilla powder and cinnamon.
  • Let simmer on low heat until soft (about 20 min).
  • Meanwhile, place the nuts on a tray and roast at 150C (300F) for approx 15 min.
  • Remove the pits from the dates and chop them into smaller pieces, then mash them with a fork. (you might want to soak then for a while in water before doing this)
  • Chop the nuts medium fine, make sure to reserve a handful nuts to use as topping, and mix the rest with the date paste so it forms a crumble. Set aside.
  • When the apples are done, use a blender (I used a hand blender) to mix into a smooth applesauce. If you prefer larger pieces of apples in your sauce, just blend it briefly.
  • Stir lemon juice into the sauce.
  • Leave out to cool down or scoop up into large jars and place in the fridge.
  • Scoop out the solid cream from 1 can of chilled coconut milk.
  • Mix (use a mixer to whip) until its fluffy and forms soft pekas.
  • Place apple sauce in the bottom layer in 4 glasses or jars, top with nut and date crumble and then scoop over whipped cream.
  • Sprinkle chopped nuts on top and njoy.