I was quite distracted with work and other commitments over the past week so I felt I was ignoring John’s dad. Normally I try to spoil him a little bit every day so he knows how special he is to both of us. When you get to 92, people should look after you but he’s been on his own for much of the past week.
I got some sleep last night and my feet are no longer sore so today I decided to spoil him with a dessert. Rob’s mother was from Norway and he’s been there to visit several times. He’s close to many of his relatives there and even has many of them on his Facebook friends (and so do I).
After scouring the net for Norwegian recipe ideas that a. I could understand and b. I knew what the ingredients were and c. actually had the ingredients in my pantry, I found a few for apple cake and came up with this one.
It took no time at all to put together. The longest time was whisking the butter and sugar (five minutes) and peeling an apple. When I took it out of the oven I brought it to him and said, “Does this look familiar?”
“No, should it?” he said. “It looks really good.”
“It’s a Norwegian apple cake,” I said, and then tried to say it in Norwegian. I got just a bit of an eyeroll and he said it for me. I think my pronunciation was close enough for anyone to understand me. (my opinion, mind you)
I’m pretty sure he felt spoiled because he had two pieces – with cream.
- 125 grams butter, melted
- 130 grams granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons vanilla sugar or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 125 grams all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 large apple (you can use any apple you like)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon demerara sugar
- Preheat oven to 200C/400F
- Grease and flour an 8-inch cake pan (with removeable bottom) and set aside. (I had a 9-inch tart pan and that's what I used. The cake came out with some coaxing.
- In a small bowl combine the vanilla sugar, flour and baking powder and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk, cream the melted butter and sugar with until light and fluffy and the sugar has dissolved. It will take about 5 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each egg.
- If you're using vanilla extract, add it after the eggs.
- Add half the flour mixture and all of the milk.
- Mix thoroughly and then add the remaining flour. Combine until no streaks of flour remain.
- Spread batter in the prepared cake pan.
- Core and cut the apple in half. Cut each half in to ⅛" slices and arrange on top of the cake batter in a decorative pattern.
- Sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon and demerara sugar.
- Bake for about 35 minutes or until golden brown and cake is thoroughly cooked by testing with a toothpick.
- Serve warm or at room temperature and it's very good with whipped cream or ice cream.
Great post!
My Mom just turned 90 and I understand so well what you are going through with your Father in Law! Wonderful that you can spoil him, and who cares about the eye rolls? Actually I find myself doing the same for poor Phil when he says something in Portuguese that is just a little off… shame on me!
Beautiful cake!
this looks almost too lovely to eat
This is a beautiful Norwegian apple cake. I can’t think of a better way to show someone you care than with a special dish or dessert.
Velva
You are all so blessed to have each other. I hope I can still cook when I’m 92. But if not I hope I know somebody that does and hope they enjoy having me around! You are a wonderful daughter-in-law and the apple cake looks amazing!
He’s a lovely man who has lived to be 92 and is still “with it”. He can talk about anything from what’s going on today to the scientific development of optics (his field) and he’s happy to tell you about things that were “before the electron was discovered.” He’s a treat to be around.
It looks very elegant but sounds simple to put together. A winner all around.
I love apple desserts, what a fabulous cake! Love the idea to serve with whipped cream or ice cream :).
If I make it to 92 I’m coming to live with you so you can spoil me! Nice dessert, no matter how you pronounce it.
That is such a beautiful apple cake!
You are the bestest (is there such a word?) daughter-in-law. I am sure John appreciates all that you are doing for his father.
Your father-in law is blessed to have you around 🙂
This cake looks so good…perfect for fall . Loved it
You are awesome, taking such great care of a lovely elderly gentleman. When I’m 92, can I come to your place and you can bake me one of these xox
I’m not awesome at all. It’s what you do. You don’t have to wait til you’re 92, I’ll cook for you and Peter anytime! Just name the day!
I know it’s what you do, but I still think you are awesome! I wish I had a 92 year old to cook for. Hugs xox
You’d spoil him too. He makes it so easy 🙂
Oh my, this looks fantastic Maureen. I am a HUGE sucker for apple desserts. I love how each nationality has it’s own special apple treat!
I love Scandinavian desserts because they are not sickly sweet and they really showcase the star ingredient. Your recipe looks wonderful and just the right amount of cake perfectly proportioned to the fruit. I’ve made three Swedish desserts and they have all impressed me so I have no doubt that this would too. I wish I had seen this recipe yesterday when I was planning my baking for the weekend at the cottage with our friends from Illinois Paul and T, I think they would have loved it! I just finished all the baking: cinnamon sticky buns, peanut butter and chocolate squares and cheez-itz! One more thing would be OTT. But you know I want to ;)!
Wow, Eva, what a lot of cooking! You’re going to eat well!
A perfect way to spoil anyone my friend, this looks and would taste heavenly 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
We all like to be spoiled, don’t we?
Two pieces with cream sounds just perfect to me. I’m impressed that he’s on Facebook! What a good daughter-in-law you are.
Oh I’m not so good, I promise. Mostly I work and ignore him. 🙂
That’s so sweet you want to spoil him!! I think you succeeded. This cake is marvelous!
yes, apple in every bite and the cinnamon and demerara made wonderful caramelization on the apples too.
You are so sweet to look after him, I can imagine how much he appreciates it. What a thoughtful gesture to cook him something Norwegian too 🙂
Dear Maureen, It looks like a delicious way to spoil your father-in-law. It is nice that he has you to do that for him and that he knows how loved he is.
You are a good person.
I am sure that this cake was wonderful.
Blessings dear. Catherine xo
I agree with everyone, YOU ARE THE BEST daughter-in-law ever.
I am sure John loved this cake, it looks delicious.
You are so sweet Maureen…and this apple cake looks fabulous, I like the fact that you get apple in every bite of this cake…
Thanks for the recipe and have a wonderful week ahead 😀
There was apple in every bite and lovely caramelization on the apples from the demerara sugar and cinnamon.
That is one gorgeous cake, Maureen. Sometimes I feel like I should make more specialties for Marion. I do, but I should do so more often. Thanks for the inspiration. I’m sure your father-in-law was glowing inside:)
Thanks for sharing…
He felt good that I made something just for him 🙂
Aww but the apple cake surely made up no? Looks wonderful btw! How interesting Norway! So he can speak the language? I can’t pronounce it, is it a phonetic language?
I don’t know, Helene. He understands some of it and speaks a little. Rob was born in India and moved to Australia when he was 3. His father was from Scotland and was in the army. When things got dicey in India in 1923, they migrated to Australia.
If this represents Norwegian desserts, I am very in favour of the cuisine! What a beautiful looking cake.
I know. I was ready to start speaking Norwegian 🙂
Oh how I love anything apple. I must make this cake soon…. mmmmm 😀
I bet you could easily translate this into Thermomix-ese. 🙂
That was such a sweet gesture from you! The cake looks really awesome and deliciously moist.
It was (past tense) good and he liked it a lot. 🙂
That va-va-voom cake is screaming, “Eat Me!”
And I’d like to eat a boatload of that golden cinnamon-y cake 🙂
This is a cake worth stealing.
I’ve never stolen a cake but I’ll follow your lead! 🙂
He is very lucky indeed to be spoiled like this. This cake looks so wonderful and quite seasonal here too. I love google translate in such cases lol.
People who scold me for pinning a “non-English” recipe crack me up. It’s as if nobody who doesn’t speak English can cook. :eyeroll: There are great recipes from every corner of the world and this internet thing is a great way to share.
This is a wonderful cake, Maureen, and I agree with Eva. It seems like it’s not overly sweet, which is a big plus in my book. Apples are sweet enough on their own and need little embellishment. I’m pinning this recipe for later on. Thanks!
Thanks, John, it’s simple and really good. More rustic and more like a coffee cake than a light fluffy cake.
it looks dainty! It looks delicious! It looks beautiful and it is driving me mad that I can’t take a bite of it! LOVE LOVE Maureen!
woo… I hope you make one so I can see what you did to it. 🙂
Oh my…this looks simply gorgeous! And so delicious!! I am bookmarking this recipe. I’m sure he was adequately spoiled!
Thanks so much for visiting, Kathy. I’m not so sure it was gorgeous but it tasted pretty darned good!
Wow, two pieces- must be good indeed Maureen! My Nan lived to 92, and I was always astonished at how much sweet stuff she could pack away 🙂
It’s the twinkle in his eye when asked if he wants more, “I could have a little more if you don’t mind,” he says. 🙂
Oh my…I love apples in desserts!
Me too! I tell myself it’s healthy. 🙂
Maureen, I know I would really enjoy this apple cake . It looks so moist and flavorful. Makes me want to run out to the kitchen and whip one up right now!
Eileen, I bet your cake would be prettier than mine 🙂
This looks like the perfect breakfast with a big cup of black coffee.
You’ve got that right!
That is so wonderfully nice of you – today I’ve had a bad experience with a person who doesn’t appreciate other people and their efforts.. Its gesture like yours that make me believe that there are good people in this world too!
That cake looks really good !especially with cream.
I’m sorry to hear you had an unfortunate experience today. My advice? “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” Works for me 🙂
I am sure he always feels very spoiled by you Maureen!
What a lovely gesture 🙂 The Apple Cake looks so yummy, and I love that it is quick to make 🙂
He LOVES being spoiled. 🙂
You are the dearest, sweetest, most thoughtful daughter-in-law. I’m so glad you have him and he has you to make your days loving and special. This cake is wonderful and reminds me of Danish apple cake my Danish grandmother would make. 🙂
I doubt I’m the sweetest, most thoughtful. I think he’s a very special man who deserves to be spoiled (finally) at 92. 🙂
That sure is a beautiful looking apple cake. I’m sure John’s dad isn’t the slightest bit neglected. How many kilos has he acquired since he moved in? I bet he hasn’t stopped grinning – no where else would he be able to relish in such treats xx
Oh he’s slightly rounder than when he arrived 🙂 His wife kept him really trim. LOL
2 pieces with cream, at 92!! I think that must be the secret to his youthfulness! Eat well 🙂
I don’t think he’s eaten like this in the past. His wife kept him on a strict diet so he wouldn’t get fat. Here he eats what he wants. Yeah, he’s put on a little weight but not much.
2 pieces with cream, at 92!! I think that must be the secret to his youthfulness! Eat well!!
This sounds like my favorite type of tart: fruit, low added sugar, delicious!
I’m glad you liked it, Mireya !
The thing with cakes with fruit is that they totally make a perfect breakfast, in addition to snacks and desserts. 🙂
They’re not too bad on the bedside table while you watch the Daily Show either 🙂
You may have missed your calling, Maureen. You should have a bakery shop. That cake looks divine!
Hi Maureen – lovely to see the Norwegian take on this classic. Do you remember the Swedish version I posted a while back (äppelkaka) – it’s surprisingly different. Will have to give that a try!
Yes, I should try that again and compare. 🙂
What a nice treat for your FIL. I would not have even attempted the Norwegian pronunciation! I adore apple desserts and my stomach is now doing flip flops as I really could use a big slice right now!!!
Another apple dessert to keep! love this one
Awwww, I agree, at 92 he deserves to be spoiled! What a perfect treat to spoil him with! I love your pics, the cake looks so delicious, wish I could dig right in! Yum, Hugs, Terra
Goodness, I would like a few slices of this cake! YUM!
You’d better be quick around here! 🙂
You may not be able to pronounce it correctly but you can make one stunning looking apple cake. Save a slice for me! Take Care, BAM
Oh my, this cake is looking so yummy. Being an apple lover, I like each cuisine related to an apple. I would definitely try this at home. Thanks for sharing this experience.
I’m glad you liked it, Mellisa! I had a peek at your site – you’ve got some lovely rental properties, I want to go!
This cake looks simple and delicious, my kind of cake! I keep seeing all the apples in baked goods and I’m finally realizing Summer is over 🙁 so its time to start baking up the lovely dishes like this one.
Wow! This looks wonderful! It looks and sounds delicious. Cooking for those we care about makes it even better. What thoughtful thing to do!
Such a beautiful and unbelievably delicious cake! And the perfect fall dessert! What a great way to spoil your father-in-law. I’m sure he loved it 🙂
I think he liked feeling spoiled more than anything. 🙂 I don’t think he’s ever been spoiled before.
Maureen – this is beautiful and looks delicious!! On my to do list!
I’m gonna make this for my boyfriend who is coming to visit. He is from Norway and this is like his favorite desert. I’m gonna surprise him <3
My father-in-law loved this cake, Courtney, I hope your boyfriend does too!
It looks excellent and my mouth is watering.I dont take eggs so can you pls advice on how i could make it eggless.
Sorry, I haven’t tried this without eggs and I couldn’t be 100% sure it would work.
Just made this cake for the second time as it went down with my family so well the first time. We all love this cake and I like how simple it is to make. Thanks for the great recipe 🙂
Lucy, you will make my father-in-law proud. He loves this Norwegian cake, probably because his mother came from Norway but he always asks for it. 🙂 Thanks heaps for coming by!
I used this recepie to make apple cake! such a delicious cake! thanks a lot! my husband loved it.
I just made this for my Norwegian exchange student and she said it was authentic.
It’s delicious and easy to make. I’m glad that I found it and will add this recipe to our family’s favorites.