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Meringue Apple Square Cake
Updated: Oct 1
by Feli Chic'Cuisine
A soft apple cake with a layer of cinnamon-scented apples and a light, golden meringue on top. It’s made with simple ingredients and comes together easily, with the apples adding lovely moisture and the meringue giving the cake a delicate sweetness and a beautiful finish.
This cake is a cherished family recipe that's been passed down for years. Every autumn, when the air turns crisp and the leaves start to change, I can't resist making this classic dessert that my family loves so much.
The cake has a soft, biscuit-like base made with simple ingredients like eggs, sugar, and flour. On top of the base sits a layer of sweet, cinnamon-spiced apples that bring a warm, cozy flavor.
The finishing touch is a light and airy meringue made from whipped egg whites. As it bakes, the meringue turns golden and slightly crispy, adding a nice texture to the soft apples and cake below.
Tips - A Quick and Easy Recipe
This recipe is wonderfully simple and quick, made with just a handful of everyday ingredients.
Most of them are measured with a tablespoon, which makes the recipe particularly easy to remember: 4 tablespoons of sugar, oil, sour cream and flour, along with two eggs and a little baking powder.
I like to use Jonathan apples for this cake. Their naturally sweet-tart flavour works beautifully with the soft cake and meringue, and you may find that they need little or no extra sugar. If you prefer a sweeter filling, simply add 2–3 teaspoons of sugar, to taste.
How to Prepare Meringue Apple Cake
Prepare the filling
1. Begin by peeling the apples, grating them with a coarse grater.
2. Then squeeze out the juice before sautéing them. In a saucepan set over medium heat, add the prepared apples. Sauté them until they become soft, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the cinnamon.
Prepare the Biscuit
3. Cream 2 egg yolks with 4 tablespoons of sugar until the mixture becomes pale. Gradually add 4 tablespoons of oil, gently mixing in the same direction. Stir in the sour cream.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Gradually add them to the wet mixture, stirring gently until you have a soft, smooth batter. If the batter seems too loose, add the extra tablespoon of flour.
Pour the batter into the prepared tin and spread it evenly. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the surface is lightly golden and the cake is just set.
Prepare the Meringue
5. Meanwhile, whisk the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the sugar and continue whisking until the meringue is thick, glossy and holds stiff peaks.
Bake
6. Remove the partially baked cake from the oven and spread the cooked apples evenly over the surface.
Spread the meringue gently over the apples, then return the cake to the oven for another 3–4 minutes, until the meringue is lightly golden.
How to Serve
Allow the cake to cool completely before cutting it into squares. It is lovely served at room temperature, when the apple layer is soft and fragrant and the meringue has a light, delicate texture.
Enjoy it with a cup of coffee or tea, as an afternoon treat or a simple dessert after dinner.
Step-by-Step Guided Video:
Love this recipe? Please leave a comment. Your feedback, suggestions, and adaptations are very helpful to other bakers!
Meringue Apple Cake
Each bite is a delicious mix of fluffy meringue, spiced apples, and tender cake, making it a dessert everyone will enjoy.
Prep time: 20 min. Cook time: 35 min.
Total time: 55 min. Servings: 8
Ingredients
Apple Filling
● 8–10 apples
● 2 tbsp sugar, optional
● 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Cake Layer
● 2 egg yolks
● 4 tbsp sugar
● 4 tbsp neutral-flavoured oil
● 4 tbsp sour cream
● 4 tbsp plain flour, plus 1 tbsp if needed
● 1 level tsp baking powder
Meringue
● 2 egg whites, from the eggs above
● 2–3 tbsp sugar
Method
Prepare the Apple Filling
1. Peel and core the apples, then grate them using the large holes of a box grater. Take handfuls of the grated apples and gently squeeze out the excess juice.
2. Place the grated apples in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar if you prefer a sweeter filling and cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften. Remove from the heat, stir in the cinnamon and set aside to cool.
Prepare the Cake Layer
3. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), conventional heat. Grease and line a 20 × 30 cm rectangular baking tin with baking paper.
4. In a bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until pale and creamy. Gradually add the oil, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the sour cream.
5. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Gradually add them to the wet mixture, stirring gently until you have a soft, smooth batter. If the batter seems too loose, add the extra tablespoon of flour.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and spread it evenly. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the surface is lightly golden and the cake is just set.
Prepare the Meringue
7. Meanwhile, whisk the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the sugar and continue whisking until the meringue is thick, glossy and holds stiff peaks.
Assemble and Finish Baking
8. Remove the partially baked cake from the oven and spread the cooked apples evenly over the surface.
9. Spread the meringue gently over the apples, then return the cake to the oven for another 3–4 minutes, until the meringue is lightly golden.
10. Allow the cake to cool before cutting into squares and serving.
Enjoy!
“Give me juicy autumnal fruit, ripe and red from the orchard." ― Walt Whitman
Have you tried making this Meringue Apple Cake? I'd love to hear about your experience! Share your thoughts and any creative twists you added to the recipe in the comments below. Or, tag me on Instagram (@FeliChic'Cuisine) when you post your recipe creations. Let's inspire each other. Thank You!
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