Stewed Apple and Cinnamon Cake (Tray Bake)

Published by: Adina February 13, 2020 · Last modified: January 27, 2023 42 Comments

Moist apple and cinnamon cake with stewed apples. Probably your new favorite apple traybake cake recipe.

Stewed Apple Cake

Prajitura cu mere – a deliciously tender European apple cake, easily made and loved by everyone.

When it comes to apple cakes, I think you really have a choice on Where Is My Spoon. Several Romanian apple cakes, some German ones, some really quick and easy ones, muffins, desserts, and so on.

Table of Contents

[show]

European Apple Cake

And we love each of these cakes! I make so many apple cakes because my kids love them in any form and are always happy when I am baking with apples. Of course, they would refuse the best chocolate cake (my son), but they would never say no to a nice piece of apple traybake cake.

And as you see, although all full of apples, they are so different; I could not say that two of the apple cakes I make taste the same; they all have their particular flavor and consistency, something that sets them apart from the rest.

And what sets this moist apple and cinnamon cake apart from the rest? Its tenderness. It is unbelievably soft and tender, sweet and full of stewed apples, comforting and satisfying.

What is the best apple for apple cake?

I used winter apples, the sort stored in the cellar for a while before being ready for cooking and baking; they are the best sort for this apple traybake cake recipe, as they are not very juicy.
These cellar or winter apples are also called cooking apples, meaning they are used primarily for cooking and are not so suitable to be eaten raw.
They are the kind of apples coming from somebody's garden apple tree, somebody who happened to plant an apple tree once without checking the sort of apple they were growing... The result: apples that nobody wants to eat, apples that are only used to make compote, cakes, or desserts.
They are a bit floury and sour and don't release much liquid when stewed.
If you use fresher, juicier apples, increase the stewing time until most of the released cooking liquid has evaporated.

What can you do with old cooking apples?

Apple sauce: Homemade apple sauce is the best kind, as it allows you to choose how much sugar you add. I make a rather large batch of apple sauce every autumn and freeze the jars; over the years, I concluded that that is the best way to keep apple sauce fresh and delicious.

Apple butter: Making it will allow you to use many older apples.

Spicy apple jam: Apple jam is not for everyone; it can be rather bland, but if you choose the right sort and spices, you will get a delicious apple jam. Try adding cloves, cinnamon, allspice, and ground ginger.

Baked apples: You can fill them with nuts and spices before baking or leave them plain and serve them sprinkled with some sugar or drizzled with honey. Add whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or vanilla sauce for a real treat.

Savory dishes: Try this Vegan Apple Curry (with Chickpeas) served over rice or this amazing Roast Chicken with Apples; they are recipes I make at least 2 or 3 times every autumn and winter using those cooking apples.

Desserts: Make an apple crumble; it is probably the best apple dessert ever! Here is a variation, a Rhubarb Apple Crumble, but you can leave out the rhubarb and only use apples. You can also make apple pancakes, apple compote for serving with regular pancakes or crepes, apple crisp, French toast with apples, and so on.
- Or try our fantastic Stewed Rhubarb and Apples.

Apple cakes: There must be a gazillion apple cake recipes worldwide. My favorites are the German Almond Apple Cake, the Spicy Toffee Apple Cake, or simple muffins like the Apple Cinnamon Muffins or the Cinnamon Donut Muffins (with Apples).

Recipe ingredients

listed ingredients in bowls for making stewed apple cake.

Apples: Preferably cooking, lightly mealy ones. However, fresh apples are fine; just increase the stewing time accordingly; the liquid released by the fruit should be almost completely evaporated (See images).
Wet ingredients: Large eggs, milk, and neutral-tasting oil like canola (at room temperature).
Dry ingredients: All-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, granulated sugar, and icing sugar (confectioners/ powdered sugar) for sprinkling over the dessert before serving.

How to make apple traybake cake?

This is a Romanian or European apple cake very similar to those my great-grandmother and my great-aunts used to make. So, if you feel like having one of the most delightful cakes on Earth this weekend, don't hesitate to try this moist apple traybake cake recipe.

The recipe makes a large baking tray, but it is easily halved.

Prepare the apples

Peel, core them, and process them coarsely, in batches, in the food processor. You could grate them coarsely, but it takes much longer.
Stew apples: Place them in a wide pan, and add the granulated sugar (1). Stew the apples gently until they are soft and almost all the released liquid is evaporated (2).
It took me about 15 minutes, but you might need a bit longer if your apples are juicier. Add the cinnamon and the cloves (if you like cloves) and stir well. Leave to cool while you prepare the rest.
Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Line a rectangular baking tray with parchment paper.

collage of two pictures of stewing apples with sugar and cinnamon in a saucepan.

Batter

Beat eggs and sugar until pale and frothy. Add the oil and incorporate it (3).
In another bowl, mix flour and baking powder.
Add the flour mixture and the milk to the egg mixture; alternating, start with the flour and finish with the milk. The batter will be pretty runny, so don't worry about it (4).

Pour half the mixture onto the prepared baking tray (5) and bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden (6).
Remove from the oven.

collage of two pictures of unbaked and baked cake batter on a baking sheet.

At this point, I prefer using a baking frame because my baking tray is very shallow (Amazon affiliate link). If your baking tray is a bit deeper, you will not need the frame; otherwise, I recommend using it to ensure your batter will not end up all over the place.
Spread the stew onto the cake (7), even them nicely, and pour the remaining batter on top (8). Even it very lightly and continue baking the cake at the same temperature for about 40 minutes or until nicely browned.
Leave to cool completely, then slice and dust with icing sugar before serving.

collage of two pictures of adding apples stew and cake batter to a baking sheet.

Expert Tips

Always use a digital kitchen scale in baking; it guarantees for best results (Amazon affiliate link).
Ensure that the ingredients (eggs, oil, milk) are at room temperature.
Baking powder: Some people have wondered if the required 2 tablespoons are right. Yes, the recipe is correct; that's exactly how much you need.
Stewed apples cooking time: Older, mealy cooking apples will not release much juice, so they will need to be stewed for about 15 minutes. Fresher, juicier apples are juicy; increase the stewing time until most of the released cooking liquid has evaporated.
Baking frame: You will need one if the rim of your baking sheet is very low, less than 2 inches/ 5 cm. My baking sheet’s rim is only about 0.5/ 1 cm tall, so I need a frame to prevent the batter from running off the tray (Amazon affiliate link).
Serve the apple traybake cake with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Recipe FAQ

What to do with stewed apples?

If you have a glut of apples, make a larger batch of stewed apples. The leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container or a jar for 2-3 days, or you can freeze them in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Serve them with oatmeal, porridge, over pancakes, rice pudding, or with serve them hot with vanilla ice cream. Use them to make other apple cakes or muffins.

How to store?

Refrigerate the stewed apple cake in an airtight container for about 3 days.
Freeze for up to 2 months and defrost in the fridge.

More apple cakes

Apple Streusel Cheesecake
Apple and Hazelnut Cake
Apple Caramel Cake - Upside Down Cake
Healthy Apple Cake
Apple Crumble Cake - German
Vegan Apple Cake

Do you like this recipe?

Please leave a good rating in the recipe card below. Stay in touch through social media: Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Don’t forget to tag me #whereismyspoon when you try a recipe!

More OUR FAVORITE CAKE RECIPES