Apple cake is one of my favorite Autumn desserts, and one of the best recipes is found in my tattered and stained copy of the first edition printing of the Kalona Historical Village Cookbook. I treasure this book to this day since that book brings back wonderful memories of my Mom.
Both Mom and I helped to compile and proofread the recipes in the book…and my copy is even signed by Mom.
I’m sure you are beginning to understand how recipes and cooking bring a family together and create lasting memories…especially for me.
This apple cake recipe was submitted by Mrs. Plank, the mother of one of our high school classmates.
Recently I added a twist to the old fashioned recipe. I substituted one cup of coconut oil for the one cup of butter listed in the original recipe…and it was absolutely delish!
It’s a very simple cake to whip up.
By now I’m sure you all know the basics of combining sugar and butter (or coconut oil) together before adding the eggs.
And the dry ingredients are mixed separately before combining with the “wet” ingredients.
Even though the recipe calls for two cups of apples…I always add more. More is better, right?
This apple cake is a hit at every gathering. You can serve it “as is”, or you can top it with whipped cream, or serve it with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup shortening or butter (I use butter...or try coconut oil.. DELISH!)
- 2 eggs
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 Tblsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 2 cups diced apples (I add more...peeled or unpeeled-your choice)
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (I use walnuts)
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES
- Cream together the white sugar, brown sugar and butter. Add the eggs and mix well. In a separate bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, salt and baking powder. In a one cup measuring cup, put the tablespoon of vinegar and fill the cup with milk to the one cup mark. Let the mixture sit until it begins to curdle. (That's a GOOD thing!) Then stir in the tsp of baking soda. While the milk mixture is "resting", dice the apples and set aside. Next, combine the wet and the dry ingredients and fold in the apples with a spatula. Place the mixture in a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch cake pan. In a small bowl combine the topping ingredients. Mix well and sprinkle evenly over the top of the cake batter. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Mine usually takes about 35 minutes, but it will depend on your oven. Allow to cool...and serve!
- This cake is delicious by itself...or you can "doctor it up" with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. So pour yourself a cup of coffee, cut a slice, and ENJOY!
Thanks for putting this one out there. Looks delicious. Going to try it soon!
You’re welcome Bonnie! I think you’ll love it. And your kitchen will smell HEAVENLY while it bakes! Who doesn’t love the smell of baking apples and cinnamon?? 🙂
XOXO
Meemaw
This sounds exactly like the Apple cake my Aunt Elsie from Germany used to make. I helped her make it once and it was so delicious. I never did get her recipe for it and have regretted it since. This sounds like the ingredients she used. I remember her mixing the vinegar into the milk and how amazed I was that it cuddled and thickened. She would whip cream with sugar, vanilla and a sprinkle of cinnamon to serve on top. I’m going to make this for company this weekend. Thank you for sharing the recipe and bringing back such fond memories!
I’m so glad it sounds like a similar recipe to the one you’ve been searching for! Please let me know how you like it! I use any kind of red “pie” type apple for this. In the good old days Mom always used Jonathan apples because that’s what grew in our orchard. There is NOTHING like the taste of a Jonathan apple pulled right off the tree and popped into your mouth! 🙂
(Just don’t use one like a Delicious apple for baking purposes.) Get back to me with your results!
XOXO
Meemaw
Greetings Meemaw!
I just wanted to let you know that the Apple cake was absolutely divine! It is exactly like my Aunt Elsie’s and brought back such warm memories of her and our time in the kitchen. I used Jonathan Apple’s, and they were the perfect choice. Thank you again for sharing your recipes, stories and memories. I always look forward to each new entry! Sending love and hugs!!!
Awwww…I am SO HAPPY that the cake brought back such wonderful memories of your Aunt Elsie! (I’m sure she was smiling down on you as you tasted that first bite.) And I’m glad you found some Jonathan apples to use. (They can be rather hard to find these days!) Thank you again for your kind comments…and I’m sending love and hugs right back to you!
XOXO
Meemaw
This is my favorite go to apple cake recipe! Can use as a “coffee cake ” too. This cookbook is my
favorite too! Yours is in better condition than mine. lololol
I agree…this is a very versatile recipe! Morning, Noon or Night…it’s DELISH! (Thanks again for your comment!)
XOXO
Meemaw
OH MY LORD!!!!!
I have never made anything amish in my life, but i thought i would give it a try with this cake. Thank you so much for posting this recipe cause it is the best thing i have evr tasted. Between my mom, 2 of my sisters, my daughter, and my niece we ate the whole cake in 1 day. IT IS THE BEST
LOL! And THANK YOU Dawn for your kind and glowing comments about my Roman Apple Cake! (It’s one of MY favorites too.)It’s actually not an Amish recipe, but it’s from a small town cookbook in Kalona, Iowa…the heart of Amish country. I’m not Amish, but my dad was Amish when he was a small boy, and I grew up on our family farm surrounded by Amish owned farms. I even attended a one room country school! I’ve written many stories and I’ve shared many Amish recipes on my website, so check it out. I’m guessing you may find some more recipes you’ll enjoy. And THANKS AGAIN Dawn for taking the time to let me know how much you and your family loved the cake…and I’ll be sure to share your comments with Mrs. Plank’s daughter Linda. She’ll be thrilled to know her mother’s recipe made such a great impression almost fifty years after she shared it in that Heartland cookbook! 🙂 So keep in touch and keep testing my recipes. I loved hearing from you!
XOXO
Meemaw
this is such a good recipe did it for a class project thank you so much you have a very kind heart.😁😁😁
Thank you so much for your kind words Oliva! I’m glad your class liked the cake!
XOXO
Meemaw
Thanks for sharing this recipe. My husband and I were just in Kalona, IA yesterday for a meal made by a sweet Mennonite lady. Roman Apple Cake was one of the dessert options that we could have chosen. I picked cherry pie because my husband likes that, but I wondered what the Roman apple cake was.
You’re so very welcome Julie! My mom used to make that cake every Autumn. Let me know how you like it!
XOXO
Meemaw
i made this for a world banquet and loved it
thank you meemaw
You’re very welcome! So glad you liked it! 🙂
XOXO
Meemaw
When I did a search for Roman Apple Cake the smart search offered the choice of “Roman Apple Cake Sheboygan WI”. I couldn’t believe it! I grew up in Plymouth, WI, just inland from Lake Michigan and the city of Sheboygan. The recipe is exactly the one my mom made while a child in Plymouth, except that mom made the cake with McIntosh apples, as that was the apple tree in our backyard. I need to take a “coffee cake” to church tomorrow for the breakfast buffet and thought Roman Apple Cake the perfect choice. Time to peel and chop the apples. 🙂
Pam, formerly of Plymouth, now of Cincinnati
Thanks for your comment Pam! And I’me glad you found my recipe. I hope your church crowd liked the cake as much as I do!
XOXO
Meemaw
Thanks for the Shout Out Kevin! And ATTN Meemaw’s Dear Readers! If you’d like to know what’s cookin’ in Amish settlements all around the country…Please head over to Kevin’s wonderful website at http://www.Amish365.com (Your taste buds will be glad you did!)
XOXO
Meemaw