If you’re looking for a cozy, feel-good dessert that strikes the perfect balance between indulgent and wholesome, this Apple Almond Cake is just the thing. It’s packed with juicy apples, warmly spiced with cinnamon, and finished with a delicate crunch of toasted sliced almonds.
What sets this cake apart is its nourishing ingredient list – made with spelt flour, rich cream cheese, and sweetened entirely with erythritol, it’s a wonderful option for those who want to cut back on refined sugar without sacrificing flavor or texture.
The apples keep the cake incredibly moist, while the cream cheese adds a slight tang and richness that makes every bite satisfying. It’s light, tender, and full of natural fruit flavor, making it just as perfect for an afternoon coffee. Plus, it’s easy to make and requires no fancy equipment – just simple, real ingredients.
Whether you’re baking for your family, prepping for guests, or just want something special to enjoy during the week, this Apple Almond Cake is a recipe you’ll want to make again and again.
Tools & Equipment
- 23cm/9-inch springform pan
- Cutting board
- Large bowl
- Medium bowl
- Paring knife
- Peeler
- Sharp knife
- Silicone spatula
- Small bowl
- Whisk
- Wire rack
Recipe Tips
Apples: Go for apples that hold their shape when baked, like Braeburn, Granny Smith, or Elstar. A mix of sweet and tart varieties adds depth to the flavor. Thin, even slices ensure the apples bake uniformly and blend smoothly into the batter for a tender texture.
Springform Pan: Grease and flour your springform pan well. This prevents sticking and helps the cake release cleanly from the springform – especially important with moist batters like this one.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Let the eggs, and cream cheese come to room temperature. This helps them blend more smoothly, resulting in a more even, lump-free batter. Let them sit on the counter for around 30 minutes before baking for best results.
Lemon Juice: Don’t skip the lemon juice. It prevents the apples from browning and adds a bright note that balances the sweetness of the cake.
Ingredients You Need for an Apple Almond Cake
- Apples are the star of this cake, bringing natural sweetness, juiciness, and a soft texture that keeps the crumb moist and tender. As they bake, they release moisture and meld beautifully with the spices.
- Lemon juice adds brightness and a subtle tang that enhances the apple flavor. It also prevents the apples from browning after cutting, keeping them fresh and vibrant before baking.
- Eggs act as binders and leavening agents, helping to hold the batter together while also providing lift and structure. They contribute richness and help the cake set properly.
- Butter brings in fat, which adds flavor and tenderness. It also helps with moisture retention and creates a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture when combined with the apples and eggs.
- Cream cheese adds a mild tang and creamy texture, enriching the batter and contributing to a moist, slightly dense crumb that balances well with the lighter apple pieces.
- Spelt flour serves as the primary dry ingredient, giving structure to the cake. It has a slightly nutty flavor and is more nutrient-dense than regular wheat flour, offering a wholesome base.
- Cream of tartar is used to activate the leavening process, especially when combined with the eggs, and also stabilizes the egg proteins during mixing and baking, resulting in a more uniform texture.
- Erythritol provides sweetness without the calories or blood sugar spike of traditional sugar. It’s particularly useful in low-sugar baking while maintaining a similar level of sweetness.
- Cinnamon brings warmth and aromatic depth, enhancing the flavor of the apples and creating that comforting, classic apple spice profile.
- Salt might seem small, but it plays a critical role in balancing sweetness and bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients, especially the spices and apples.
- Sliced almonds on top add a delicious crunch and a nutty aroma. As they toast in the oven, they develop a golden color and contribute texture contrast to the soft, moist interior.
Directions – How to Make Apple Almond Cake
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and lightly flour a 23cm/9-inch springform pan and set aside. Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. On a cutting board, peel, core, and slice the apples.
Place the apples in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix Erythritol (15g) with cinnamon (10g). Add the cinnamon-Erythritol mixture and lemon juice to the apples, and toss everything together until well combined.
In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with 50g Erythritol until light and frothy. Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until fully melted. Add the spelt flour, melted butter, cream cheese, cream of tartar, the remaining Erythritol, and salt to the egg mixture. Stir until the batter is smooth and well combined.
Pour the batter over the apples, mix everything thoroughly with a silicone spatula. Transfer the mixture into the prepared springform pan. Smooth out the top with a silicone spatula.
Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly over the batter and finish with a dusting of Erythritol. Bake on the middle rack for about 35 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted int the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Turn off the oven and let the cake sit inside with the door closed for another 5–10 minutes.
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Run a sharp knife around the edge of the springform to loosen the cake, then carefully release the sides. Transfer the cake to a serving plate and finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar, if desired.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
Storing: Store the cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. If refrigerated, allow it to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Freezing: To freeze, wrap the completely cooled cake (whole or in slices) tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a ziplock bag or airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Thawing: Thaw frozen cake in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. If you like it warm, you can briefly reheat individual slices in the microwave or oven before serving.
My Summary for Apple Almond Cake
Difficulty: Simple.
Taste: This cake is gently sweet with warm, cozy notes of cinnamon and a hint of tang from the lemon juice and cream cheese. The apples add a naturally fruity flavor that shines through in every bite, while the Erythritol keeps it light and not overly sweet. The butter and almonds round it out with rich, nutty undertones. It’s a balanced and comforting flavor – sweet, spiced, and slightly tart.
Texture: The texture is wonderfully moist and tender, thanks to the apples and cream cheese, with a soft, almost custard-like crumb in the center. Thin apple slices melt into the batter as it bakes, while the sliced almonds on top add a delicate crunch, offering a nice contrast to the softness below. It’s not too dense, not too airy – just the right in-between.
How Long It Takes to Make an Apple Almond Cake: A Step-by-Step Timeline
- Prep ingredients – 10 minutes
- Prepare batter – 15-20 minutes
- Bake – 35 minutes
- Rest in the oven – 5-10 minutes
- Cool – 1 hour
Total Time Estimate: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Active prep time: 25-30 minutes
- Inactive time (baking, resting & cooling): 1 hour 40 minutes
More Recipes to Try
- Apple Cake with Cinnamon Sugar
- Apple Crumb Cake
- Apple Custard Cake
- Apple Fritters
- Greek Yogurt Lemon Bundt Cake
- Low Carb Seed Bread