This Jewish apple loaf cake is an easy and healthy loaf cake that’s perfect to make on a lazy Sunday. I scoured the web for tons of Jewish apple loaf cakes, and decided I wanted to make my own version. I spiced this loaf cake up by infusing it with lemon zest and grated carrots (I did not include the 1/2 cup of grated carrots in the recipe below, so it’s your choice!). It turned out lovely and I specifically like how the lemon zest gave it a refreshing taste and not to mention, beautiful aroma. So easy to make and delicious!

So what exactly is Jewish apple loaf cake and where does this simple, yet tasty recipe come from? Jewish apple cake is a dense cake made with apples and it is sold mostly in Pennsylvania. This recipe has limited known connection to Jewish cuisine and is actually a recipe from the Dutch population in Pennsylvania. It was mistakenly attributed to Jews because it seemed “old war” and also because it contains no dairy, and can be eaten with meat in accordance with Jewish laws of kashrut. Besides this, there are tons of science backed health benefits of apples – so why not give this delicious treat a try?

* The recipe below has been improved and edited from the original one.

*If you would like to share my recipe and photos please provide proper credit and a link back to this original post. Thanks!

Jewish Apple Loaf Cake

Soft, moist, healthy Jewish loaf cake loaded with apples.

5 apples
2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups sugar (You can definitely minimize the sugar to 1 cup if you do not like it too sweet!)
Few tablespoons brown sugar and cinnamon for sprinkling on top (I do this approximately)
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tsp vanilla
1 grated lemon for zest
4 tbsp sugar for apples

1. Preheat oven to 350 F, and grease and line a medium sized loaf pan.
2. Peel and core apples, then thinly slice and toss in a mixing bowl with cinnamon and sugar.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt. In another mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredients. Slowly add in the dry ingredients and mix well.
4. Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan and add apple slices on top. Then pour the rest of the batter onto the apple slices. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on top and bake for about 1 hour until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.