Fall will officially arrive later today. That’s means it’s time to start baking with apples. 

This Olive Oil Apple Cake With Spiced Sugar hits all the right notes. It is earthy thanks to the olive oil and warm thanks to the spices.  It is warm, comforting, sweet and spicy. There’s also some earthiness thanks to the olive oil. Slice into a deliciously moist interior with crispy edges. 

I’ve started baking for our upcoming New Year Rosh Hashana celebrations on Sunday. This spiced apple cake is going to be one of the sweet treats that I will be serving. 

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Olive Oil Apple Cake With Spiced Sugar

Course Dessert

Ingredients

• 1 cup mild extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for pan
• ½ cup plus 2 tsp (100g plus 10g) granulated sugar, plus more for pan
• 2 apples, Golden Delicious or Gala
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• 1 ½ cups (185g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 large eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp kosher salt

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Pour about 1 tbsp oil into a 9×5″ loaf pan and coat bottom and sides with a brush.
• Sprinkle granulated sugar on the sides and bottom of pan to lightly coat.
• Grate unpeeled apples on the large holes of a box grater.
• Gather apples in a clean kitchen towel and wring out excess liquid. Get them as dry as possible before they go into the batter.
• Whisk cinnamon, pepper, cardamom and ginger in a medium bowl.
• Transfer ¼ tsp spice mixture to a small bowl and set aside.
• Add flour and baking powder to remaining spice mixture and whisk to combine.
• Whisk together eggs, egg yolks, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and ½ cup granulated sugar in a large bowl. Continue whisking vigorously until lightened in colour and thickened.
• Whisking with one hand and pouring with the other, slowly stream 1 cup oil into egg mixture until combined.
• Gently fold flour mixture into whipped eggs with a rubber spatula until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
• Fluff up grated apples and scatter over batter. Gently fold to incorporate.
• Transfer batter to prepared pan and smooth top.
• Add 2 tsp granulated sugar to reserved spice mixture and mix to combine. Sprinkle spiced sugar evenly over top of batter.
• Bake until deep golden brown and a tester inserted into the centre comes out clean, 60–70 minutes.
• Let cake cool in pan. Run an offset spatula along edge of cake to loosen and invert onto a platter.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

Recipe inspired by Epicurious