Jewish Apple Cake – The Lemon Bowl®

A traditional Jewish apple cake, my Ema Ljuba would frequently make this dessert on Friday for Shabbat, and it would stay moist all week long. A parev (kosher) dessert, this cake can be eaten with either meat or dairy. A huge family favorite among all of Ljuba’s seven children and many grandchildren.

Hanukkah is quickly approaching, and with it comes my craving for my Ema Ljuba’s delicious Apple Cake. While she now lives in Israel, and I won’t be able to celebrate the holiday with her, I love how food and family recipes can make us feel close to loved ones even when they are far away. If you aren’t familiar with Apple Cake, it’s a traditional Jewish dessert, and my bubbe’s recipe is the best. I may be biased, but I stand by it!

This holiday season, I’m partnering with America’s egg farming families to share favorite global holiday food traditions featuring eggs! Whether you’re celebrating the holidays at home or across the globe, gather around the table and start a new holiday recipe tradition this season.

Importance of Eggs

• Eggs add moisture, color, flavor, and nutritional value to recipes.
• Eggs are a holiday staple. In fact, more eggs are consumed during the winter holiday season than any other time of the year.
• Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse, with one egg containing 6 grams of high-quality protein and 8 essential nutrients, all for 70 calories. Plus, eggs are naturally free of sugars and carbohydrates.
• Eggs are one of the few foods that are a naturally good source of vitamin D.
• There’s a good chance the eggs you’ll use for holiday baking came from an egg farm in your state! Nationwide, the United States produces over 75 billion eggs per year.
• America’s egg farmers are proud to work hard 365 days a year to ensure that grocery store shelves remain stocked with affordable, nutritious eggs.

Ingredients

• Apples: I usually use granny smith apples, but you could use a mix, like honeycrisp or gala apples as well!
• Sugar: Coats and sweetens the apples before being baked.
• Cinnamon: Adds some warmth to balance out the sweet flavors.
• Flour: An essential ingredient to make the batter.
• Baking powder: Helps the cake to get the necessary rise.
• Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients and adds balance.
• Eggs: Add moisture and help to bind the cake together.
• Canola oil: You could also use vegetable oil.
• Orange juice: Adds some acidity as well as delicious citrus notes.
• Vanilla: Sweet and flavor enhancing.
• Brown sugar: Creates a delicious glaze around the cake when baked.
• Butter: Along with the brown sugar, glazes the cake.

How to Make Jewish Apple Cake

Start by peeling and thinly slicing your apples. I like to use Granny Smiths for my apple cake.

Then put your apples slices in a large bowl, and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.

Give your apples a good toss so they’re evenly coated and set them aside.

In another large bowl, pour in your flour.

Then stir in the salt and baking powder.

Finish by mixing in the remaining sugar, and set this bowl aside as well.

In another bowl or a large measuring cup (I prefer a measuring cup), measure out your canola oil.

Next add the 4 large eggs and vanilla extract.

Finish off your wet ingredients with the orange juice.

Whisk it all together until the egg yolks are broken and it’s all incorporated.

Slowly mix your wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

Mix until the flour is fully mixed in. It’ll be a very thick, almost dough like batter.

Next, assemble your cake! In your prepared angel food tube pan, pour 1/3 of the batter, and top with 1/2 of the apple slices. Continue with batter, apples, then batter again until it’s all used up.

Sprinkle the with the brown sugar and remaining flour, and top with your bits and cubes of butter.

Bake at 375 for a little over an hour, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Serve and enjoy your Jewish Apple Cake!

Frequently Asked Questions:

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Like It, Eat It, Share It!

Did you try this dessert? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials. Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your cake.

This delicious Jewish Apple Cake represents warmth and Hanukkah to me, but most importantly, the love of my family. What will it mean to you?

Your fork is waiting.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by America’s egg farming families, who are proud to provide safe, healthy eggs for holiday celebrations around the world. Thoughts are my own.