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Ultimate Moist and Tender Jewish Apple Cake (Dairy-Free & Perfect for Holidays)

Close-up of a moist slice of Jewish apple cake with visible apple chunks and a light sugar glaze.
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This heirloom Jewish Apple Cake recipe yields a moist, tender cake packed with apples and cinnamon flavor. It is naturally dairy-free and perfect for Rosh Hashanah, Thanksgiving, or any family gathering.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup orange juice (optional, for glaze)
  • 3 cups peeled, cored, and diced apples (about 4 medium apples, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for apple mixture)
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan or a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and vegetable oil until combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix the batter.
  5. In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with the brown sugar and the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. If using nuts, mix them in now.
  6. Gently fold the apple mixture into the cake batter until evenly distributed.
  7. Pour the batter into your prepared pan.
  8. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes for a tube pan, or 40 to 45 minutes for a 9×13 pan, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes before inverting it onto the rack to cool completely.
  10. If making the optional glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake before serving.

Notes

  • For the best texture, use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith.
  • This is an heirloom cake recipe that is naturally dairy-free, making it suitable for serving with meat meals.
  • For an Apple Loaf Cake, divide the batter between two standard loaf pans and reduce the baking time by about 10-15 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/jewish-apple-cake-recipe-moist-traditional/