Delight in the rustic charm of a Portuguese Apple Cake, a timeless dessert that’s as comforting as it is irresistible. This moist and tender cake is infused with the warm spices of cinnamon and the fragrant sweetness of vanilla, making it a perfect treat for any season. Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples are thinly sliced and layered into the batter, creating pockets of fruity goodness in every bite. Enhanced with a hint of lemon zest to balance the flavors, this cake is baked to golden perfection and optionally dusted with powdered sugar for an elegant finish. With just 20 minutes of prep time and simple pantry ingredients, this crowd-pleaser is ideal for cozy family gatherings or an afternoon tea indulgence. Whether you serve it warm or at room temperature, this Portuguese Apple Cake is sure to impress.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a round 9-inch (23 cm) cake pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Toss the apple slices with the lemon juice to prevent browning and set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
Pour half of the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly. Arrange half of the apple slices on top of the batter in a single layer.
Pour the remaining batter over the apples and gently spread it out. Arrange the remaining apple slices over the top in a decorative pattern.
Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar if desired. Slice and serve. Enjoy!
Calories |
2638 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 104.7 g | 134% | |
| Saturated Fat | 56.1 g | 280% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 786 mg | 262% | |
| Sodium | 1232 mg | 54% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 405.3 g | 147% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.0 g | 71% | |
| Total Sugars | 223.5 g | ||
| Protein | 43.7 g | 87% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.6 mcg | 18% | |
| Calcium | 256 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 12.7 mg | 71% | |
| Potassium | 1131 mg | 24% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.