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Wow your guests with this simple and impressive Apple Rose Cake made with SweeTango apples. It’s far easier to make then it actually looks and so eye popping gorgeous that you’ll almost wish you didn’t have to slice into it. Well…almost!
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My husband just recently introduced me to the most incredibly sweet and crisp apple ever…the SweeTango apple! He came home one evening and diligently pulled out one single apple from his briefcase. A friend had given him the apple with very clear instructions that I was to be the taste tester of this remarkably delicious fruit.
After one bite it was quite evident that the SweetTango apple was indeed the best apple we’ve ever tasted.
I can truly say that we’ve been having our fair share of sweet tangos since!
A little About The SweeTango Apple
There is much to love about this tangy apple with its citrusy and honey taste.
The star child of the Honeycrisp and Zestar apple, this SweeTango inherited its crimson red hue with yellowish tinge from both parents. And… among other delicious attributes!
It’s crisp and snappy to the bite and also has the creamiest white flesh I’ve yet to see in any apple.
Can You Bake With SweeTango Apples?
Coincidently, I was making my way to redoing an older recipe in my archives, this Rustic Italian Apple Cake.
It totally needed a redo since the photos were not so flattering to the actual cake. And so, inspired by the creamy white flesh of the SweeTango apple I thought it would be wonderful to showcase the thin slices of apples by crowning them in a rosette fashion over the cake.
This would also test the theory if they actually held up well to baking.
So after a few miner tweaks to my original recipe, I must say it far surpassed my expectations. Except now it no longer looked rustic but rather quite elegant.
Deliciously elegant!
And oh so pretty!
With a little maple syrup gently brushed over the warm cake to give it a little sheen.
Then a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving and you’ve got one very eye popping gorgeous Apple Rose Cake.
How To Shape And Form The Apple Slices Into A Rose
We start with thinly sliced apples, tossed in a large bowl with freshly squeezed lemon juice, melted butter and some brown sugar.
The apple mixture is then heated in the microwave to render them soft and pliable. The lemon juice will keep the apples from browning and the slices will absorb the melted butter with sugar. This helps to keep the apples hydrated during the baking time.
Start at the outer edge of the cake and place the apple slices upright while overlapping them and pressing them slightly into the batter.
Finish one full round circle then on the second round start placing the apples in front of two joined slices. Continue overlapping the apple slices till you’ve reached the center.
For one big centre rose, you’ll want to line up 6 apple slices, one overlapping the other. Take one end and gently roll to the opposite end while keeping them tightly together.
Place in the centre of the cake and your done!
Bake it for a special occasion or simply an anytime treat and enjoy with your favourite cup of coffee or tea!
Happy baking dear friends!
Another impressive Apple Cake to enjoy:
If you make this recipe remember to tag @marisasitaliankitchen on Instagram so I can see your creation!
Apple Rose Cake
Ingredients
FOR THE APPLE ROSETTE TOPPING
- 4 apples, halved, cored and thinly sliced about 1/8 inch thin (I used SweeTango apples)
- freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 medium lemon)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
FOR THE CAKE BATTER
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- lemon zest (from 1 medium lemon)
- 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- pinch of salt (I used fine sea salt)
- 1/2 cup almond milk (or whole milk)
- 1 medium apple (grated, I used Sweetango apple)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup, warmed (for brushing over the cake)
- powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
FOR THE APPLE ROSETTE TOPPING
- Slice the apples in half, remove the core and slice each half into very thin slices. About 1/8 inch thin.
- Toss together the sliced apples, lemon juice, melted butter and brown sugar in a medium sized microwave safe bowl.
- Zap in the microwave for 2 minutes, turning to toss again half way through and set aside while you prepare the cake.
FOR THE CAKE BATTER
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a 9 inch springform pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until creamy for about 1 minute.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time until well combined.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and the lemon zest.
- In a separate medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
- With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the almond milk while making 3 additions of dry and two of wet.
- Fold in the grated apple pieces
- Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and level the top with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
- Starting at the outer edges of the cake, place the apples slices upright while pressing down a little into the batter. Do this for 1 whole circle and on the next round place the slices in front of two joined slices. Continue overlapping the slices till you reach the center
- If you want to add an apple rosette in the middle leave a little space and do this...line 6 slices of apples lengthwise while overlapping them slightly and start rolling from one end to the opposite end while shaping a rose then place in the center top of the cake.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 40 minutes or until a cake inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While still warm gently brush the top of the cake with the warm maple syrup and allow to cool. This will give the apples a pretty sheen.
- Dust the cake with the powdered sugar just before serving
Notes
Wow! Apple rose cake looks too beautiful to eat. 🙂
We thought so too but could not resist too long…it disappeared quickly! Thanks Megala😊
I have never seen this particular apply variety however will keep my eyes peeled. Marisa, your instructions are impeccable as at first glance this cake looks impossible to put together. A perfect addition to our US Thanksgiving table in the coming weeks.
I hope you do come across them Paula they’re wonderful! Oh, it’s not difficult to put together really and I’m glad my instructions are clear enough. I went over them a few times…. I really wanted to be as clear as possible. And yes this cake would make a simple yet stunning Thanksgiving dessert!
Incredibly gorgeous. 🍃🌸🌿🍎
Thank you! As a bonus it’s really not difficult to put together!
The most beautiful cake of the year! Just fabulous Marisa.
Thank you Teresa! I was quite impressed with it myself and made it twice in one week. We just love it!
Delish!
Thank you ladies! It’s really quite fun to make!
Beautiful rose cake!😍
Thank you! I was quite pleased with it myself and would definitely grace any holiday table quite beautifully!
I seriously don’t think I could cut into this–it’s way too beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration. Must try!
Ha yes I know the feeling but the lure of this aromatic Rose Cake was too irresistible 😉
I am in love with these apples too. 🙂 You’ve inspired me to make this cake- it is so beautiful!
Thank you Josette! We’ve been so enjoying them these last few weeks and I must say that I was really excited how well they stood up to baking. Enjoy!
This is such a stunning dessert and beautifully photographed! Well done Marisa!
Thank you Yvonne! This cake was so much fun to put together and makes a gorgeous dessert for any special occasion!
This is just beautiful!
Thanks so much Alexandra! I was quite pleased with the final results and actually made a second one for my husband’s birthday! He loved it!
This is such a gorgeous and impressive dessert, Marisa! I have made tiny apple rose pastries before but never a cake. I cannot wait to try this! Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely recipe.
Thanks Denise! I’m forever baking…I so enjoy a lazy afternoon just whipping up a sweet treat for my family and it’s especially wonderful when it passes the taste test! Enjoy😊
First I have to find those apples, then I want to bake this gorgeous cake! I can just imagine the wonderful sweet buttery crunch of those apples paired with the soft crumb of the cake underneath, Yum!
Although they’re season is almost over I do hope you come across these apples. Sadly they’re not available year round! They have all the characteristics I love in an apple especially that unmistakable crunchy bite! I was beyond happy to see that they held up well to baking! So worth the extra splurge…thanks so much!
Wow! Such a gorgeous looking beautiful cake! You have transformed a rustic cake into a beautiful masterpiece with the apple rosette crown. I’ve never seen these sweet tango apples in the grocery stores. But I sure want to try out your recipe. Thanks for sharing.
I never knew they existed till this season but know that they’re gaining in popularity! I have to say I kept my fingers crossed that the rosette crown would not sink into the batter but it worked like a charm every time! Enjoy and thanks so much!
Wow is this ever beautiful Marisa! It’s a work of art, I wouldn’t be able to dig in. But looks super delicious as well though. I love the apple design on top of the cake!
Ahh, thank you! Yes it’s almost too pretty to eat but at the same time I couldn’t wait to dive right in! The mound of fruity apples is a lovely contrast to the moist and citrus crumble of the cake. It screams special occasion!
Oh my goodness. What a gorgeous cake. I definitely want to try this one. pinning.
Thank you Linda! It makes a lovely presentation especially with the holidays fast approaching and really not complicated to make. Enjoy!
It looked really pretty but unfortunately the centre just wouldn’t cook. Tried it twice and both time it failed.
Hey Mel! Sorry to hear this! It’s one cake I’ve made countless times and with never an issue! You may just have had to adjust the baking time. Or might it have been the type of baking pan? Oven temperature?
Help! Apple slices sank into the cake!!!
Sorry to hear this but I’m not sure how I can be of help at this point and it has never happened to me…rest assured that cake will be just as yummy! Simply dust it with powdered sugar before serving!