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    » Home » Recipes » Einkorn Recipes » Einkorn Apple Cake

    Einkorn Apple Cake

    Posted: May 2, 2022 · Updated: May 2, 2022 by Jenny McGruther · This site earns income from ads, affiliate links, and sponsorships.

    Infused with brandy and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, this simple einkorn apple cake is both delicious and easy to make. Plenty of butter and eggs lend a little richness to the lightly sweet cake, making it just as good for breakfast as it is for dessert.

    Jump to Recipe | What is it? | What's in it? | Tips | Variations | Questions

    Einkorn Apple Cake on a marble board.

    What is it?

    Einkorn is an ancient variety of wheat that has a higher protein and micronutrient content than modern wheat. This rich nutritional profile means that einkorn is arguable a better choice for baking than regular all-purpose flour. For many people, einkorn is easier to digest than modern varieties of wheat, too.

    Einkorn's low gluten content, soft characteristics, and rich flavor make it the perfect choice for baking. And it makes excellent cakes, cookies, and quick breads.

    What's in it?

    In this einkorn apple cake recipe, you combine all-purpose einkorn flour with plenty of eggs and butter to make a luscious cake base. To the base, you'll add cinnamon and nutmeg as well as a good dose of brandy which infuses the batter with an apple-like flavor and complements the fresh apples nestled inside the cake.

    • Einkorn is one of the oldest varieties of wheat, and it has a rich flavor and creamy yellow color. That's because it's rich in micronutrients, such as beta carotene.
    • Apples are nestled inside the einkorn cake batter. They're rich in vitamin C and a phytonutrient called quercetin which is highly anti-inflammatory. Choose good baking apples for this recipe with a nice balance of sweet and tart. Pippins, Kings, Fujis, Honeycrisps, and Granny Smith all work well.
    • Brandy adds a little moisture to the cake and helps complement the flavor of the apples, infusing that flavor into the batter itself.
    • Eggs and butter give the cake much-needed moisture. The protein in the eggs also helps to provide structure to the cake.
    • Cinnamon and nutmeg complement the flavor of apples and lend a warming spice to the cake.

    Recipe Tips

    Einkorn is easy to work with, especially when making cakes and pastries. But, it behaves a little differently than modern varieties of wheat. So, there's a bit of a learning curve when you're first starting to work with the flour.

    • Einkorn absorbs liquid and fat slowly. That means einkorn cakes and other baked goods typically use fewer eggs, less butter, and less liquid than similar recipes made with regular all-purpose flour.
    • It makes a very sticky batter. Most batters and doughs made with einkorn flour will be sticky in comparison to those made with modern wheat. And it can make einkorn a little more difficult to work with if you're unprepared.
    • There's a trick to cutting the apples for this cake. After peeling and coring the apples, slice them thinly without completely cutting through the apple. That is, they should be sliced on top, but leaving about ¼ inch on the bottom intact.
    Rate this Recipe
    8 servings

    Einkorn Apple Cake Recipe

    Delicately infused with nutmeg and cinnamon, this einkorn apple cake is a treat that's just as good for breakfast as it is for dessert. It's easy to make, and the brandy intensifies the flavor of the apples.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time45 mins
    Total Time55 mins
    Print Save RecipeSaved! Click to Remove Ads

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup salted butter (softened)
    • ¾ cup unrefined cane sugar
    • 3 eggs
    • 2 tablespoons brandy
    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose einkorn flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoons finely ground real salt
    • ½ teaspoon finely grated nutmeg
    • 1 teaspoon ground ceylon cinnamon
    • 2 apples
    • powdered sugar (to serve)

    Equipment

    • 10-inch Springform Pan
    • Parchment Paper

    Instructions

    Prepare your pans and preheat the oven.

    • Heat the oven to 350 F, and then line a 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper.

    Make the batter.

    • Toss the butter and sugar into a mixing bowl, and beat them together until the butter becomes light and fluffy. Then drop in the eggs one at a time, beating each egg into the butter mixture thoroughly before adding the next. Whisk in the brandy.
    • In a separate bowl, sift the einkorn, baking powder, salt, and spices together. Next, beat the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. The batter will be thick and sticky.
    • Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.

    Prepare the apples.

    • Peel the apples, and then cut them in half. Scoop out the core, and then turn them cut-side down on your cutting board. Cut them into slices about ¼-inch thick about ¾ down, so that they remain intact at the bottom.
    • Nestle the apples into the batter, and then transfer them to the oven.

    Bake and serve.

    • Bake the cake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool in its pan for 5 minutes, and then transfer it to a baking rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.
    Rate this recipe!If you loved this recipe, give it a rating. Let us know what works, what didn't and whether you made any adjustments that can help other cooks.

    Variations

    Pears work just as well as apples. Use 2 firm pears at the cusp of ripeness. Brandy works just as well for pears as it does for apples, but you can also use pear liqueur or perry instead.

    Peaches are a delicious option for summertime einkorn cakes. Use firm, but ripe peaches and peel. Cinnamon, nutmeg and brandy work well for peaches, but so does a combination of amaretto or homemade almond extract instead.

    Apricots and raspberries are a brilliant option for early summer. Use about 4 to 6 apricots and a ½ cup of raspberries. Leave out the cinnamon and nutmeg and try a ½ teaspoonful of cardamom or a few tablespoons of ginger purée instead. Alternatively, you could leave out the spices altogether and add a little rosewater and vanilla extract instead.

    Recipe Questions

    What can I substitute for the brandy?

    Add 2 tablespoons of apple juice or soft apple cider in place of the brandy.

    Why doesn't the recipe call for any liquid?

    There's enough existing moisture in the apples and eggs that it doesn't need additional liquid.

    Can I use a whole wheat einkorn or sprouted einkorn flour instead?

    You can substitute up to ½ cup of all-purpose einkorn flour with whole wheat einkorn or sprouted einkorn flour. Too much whole grain flour can change the texture of the cake, and can also change how much liquid, fat and other ingredients you need to add.

    Can I substitute regular all-purpose flour?

    Yes, you can use regular all-purpose flour in this recipe. Add 2 tablespoons more butter to the recipe, and 1 more egg yolk.

    How long does it keep?

    The cake will keep at room temperature in a tightly-sealed container for about 3 days.

    Can I freeze it?

    You can freeze the baked cake for up to 3 months. Wrap the fully cooled cake in plastic wrap, and store it in a resealable freezer-safe bag.


    More einkorn recipes you'll love

    • Einkorn Banana Bread
    • Maple Shortbread
    • Blueberry Clafoutis
    • Apple Dutch Baby Pancake

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