This recipe is, as my mom would say, as old as the hills. I got it from my mom and she probably got it from her mom. And you probably have a Jewish Apple Cake recipe in your file box.Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We will only recommend products we use, love or think are informative and helpful.
Editor’s note: This is an updated version of an article originally posted February 2010 with better photos and additional information.
Jewish apple cake is an exceptionally moist cake with apples that are layered both in the center of the cake and on the top. It is a dense, yet tender cake full of apple goodness. I make it frequently because so many people like it.
Why this cake is called Jewish apple cake
I never questioned the name of this cake that my mom made and gifted frequently through the years. I assumed since she grew up in a section of the city that included many Jewish families, someone in that community shared the recipe with her or her mom.
During an internet search, I came across some information about the name. Jewish apple cake is made with vegetable oil rather than butter like many American cakes of this type. Using vegetable oil, makes the cake acceptable after a meat meal under the Jewish dietary laws that prohibit mixing meat and milk.
Whether this is an important element in your baking or not, I know you will enjoy this classic cake.
Here’s how to make Jewish apple cake
As mentioned, Jewish apple cake is a heavy cake much like a pound cake. Using an angel food pan, begin by greasing or spraying the pan with Baker’s Secret so the cake does not stick when being removed. To add a bit of caramelizing to the outside of the cake, lightly sprinkle a little sugar around the sides and center post. Preparing the apples for Jewish apple cake
Arrange half of the apples over the batter. There will be more apples than appear in this photo.
Mini loaf cakes
- Since they freeze well, it is easy to pop one out of the freezer to thaw quickly when a friend stops in for a visit.
- The smaller loaves help with portion control if you are like me and might be tempted to eat from a whole cake, just a slice or two more than I should. 😉
How to freeze Jewish apple cake
If freezing, you will want to cool the cake(s) completely then wrap well to prevent freezer burn or taste changes. I place each loaf into a cellophane bag and secure with a tie and then place several loaves into a freezer-safe bag. Double wrapping with plastic wrap or foil is also a good choice.
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Here is my handed-down recipe:
Jewish Apple Cake
- 5 or 6 apples, pared, cored & sliced about 1/4-inch thick
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 5 tablespoons Sugar
- 3 cups Flour
- 2 cups Sugar
- 1 cup salad Oil
- 4 Eggs
- ¼ cup Orange Juice
- 3 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 2½ teaspoons Vanilla
- 1 teaspoon salt
Grease or spray an angel food pan. If desired, sprinkle the inside with a little granulated sugar.
In a small bowl, combine 5 tablespoons of sugar with 2 tsp. cinnamon
Sprinkle the cinnamon/sugar mixture over the sliced apples.
In the bowl of the stand or handheld mixer, add 3 cups of flour, 2 cups of sugar, 1 cup salad oil, 4 eggs, 1/4 cup of orange juice, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, 2 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix until well combined.
Pour half of the batter into the prepared angel food cake pan.
Arrange half of the apples over batter.
Cover the apples with the remaining batter.
Top with the rest of the apples.
Bake for 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool in pan 10-15 minutes. Run a knife around edge of the pan to loosen. Turn out of pan to a plate or cooling rack.
Recipe Note
To make mini-loaf cakes, I used six 5 x 3-inch pans and bake 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Jewish apple cakes packaged and ready to be delivered to friends.
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My family has been making this cake for 50 years. I carry on the tradition now. I took a chance and added 1 cup of sour cream to the exact recipe. OMG do it! This will be the new tradition!
Simply delicious!
aww, so happy that you like the Jewish Apple Cake. The cake is a favorite for sure and the reason the recipe has been around for so long. Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comment! Hope you have a great week!
Kindly, Lorraine
I have never heard of this recipe. It looks amazing!! With an abundance of apples this year…I'm seriously thinking of making this. As I won't be making mini loaves…should I bake it in a 9×13 cake pan or something else. Now I'm off to pin it!! I love Pinterest for recipes!!
Blessings!
~Diane
Hi your website & your energy so nice!
best wishes from Turkey
Thank you so much for linking this recipe in our Star Recipes Collection. I think you're right about this one appealing more to our readers, though, I really appreciate you including the link to the other one in the comments! That was a beautiful butterfly cake and it looks like they had so much fun with it.
That looks so good.
Oh my goodness – YUM! I thought I wanted to make a chocolte cake this weekend but now I think this is what I want. Hey! If you are interested I have a Vegetarian Foodie Fridays linky at my blog right now. I would love if you would link this up there.
This apple cake looks fantastic!
I have never heard of Jewish Apple Cake, but it sure sounds, looks, -and I'll bet- smells delicious.
Thank you for the recipe and the inspiration to bake something today…
Michelle
This is the second apple cake recipe I've seen tonight in my blog hopping. I must take a note of this one too, it looks great.
I know I'm gaining weight just looking at this beautiful cake!
This is mouth-watering delicious!!! Thanks for this fabulous recipe and for your visit! Have a great day! Coralie
Looks and sounds delicious! I hadn't heard of this before, but I see it in my future!:)
Thanks for the recipe!
Linda C
I've actually never heard of Jewish apple cake. Now that I have I must make it. It looks delicious
Oh that looks so yummy – I have to try making it this morning!
Your cake looks so delicious! Too bad I am being good right now…and trying to lose 10 pounds. (too much Valentine candy and cupcakes) it was worth it all though…grin. btw, I am now making the folded German stars….but am having troubles posting pictures. When my son comes home from his trip he'll figure things out for me.