This Christmas, discover the spirit of Åland with a dessert that blends tradition and modern flair — the Åland Winter Apple Cake with Cardamom Custard.

Located quietly in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Finland, Åland feels like a postcard from another era. Red farmhouses, frost-dusted forests, and tranquil harbors set a peaceful winter scene.

This autonomous Finnish archipelago, home to Swedish-speaking islanders, maritime heritage, and thriving apple orchards, takes on a storybook charm in December. Windows glow with candlelight, tables fill with festive bakes, and age-old customs come alive.

Åland’s dessert traditions are anchored by the beloved Ålandspannkaka, a thick, cardamom-scented oven pancake served with prune jam and whipped cream. Apple-based sweets are equally iconic, thanks to the islands’ fertile soil and mild, sea-tempered climate.

Inspired by this heritage, the Åland Winter Apple Cake features stewed local apples, a vibrant blackcurrant compote, and a rustic rye-almond streusel. Warm spices — clove, cinnamon, and a hint of cardamom — evoke the depth of Nordic winter.

Served with a silky cardamom custard and a snowy dusting of powdered sugar, the dessert feels both humble and refined.

Table of Contents

Why This Åland Winter Apple Cake Is Truly Unique

This dessert stands out by deeply honoring Åland’s local ingredients and seasonal traditions, while offering a fresh twist on the familiar. Here’s what sets it apart:

Åland-Grown Apples: The cake highlights the sharp, aromatic apples grown in the island’s cold coastal climate, picked late in the season when their flavor is most intense.
Rye and Almond Streusel: Incorporating traditional Nordic grains like rye along with almonds gives the topping a hearty, earthy crunch that reflects Åland’s farming heritage.
Blackcurrant Compote Accent: A nod to the classic use of forest berries in Scandinavian cuisine, the subtle blackcurrant layer adds tang and depth beneath the apples.
Nordic Spice Palette: Clove and cinnamon create warmth and depth, while cardamom — beloved across the Nordic region — infuses both the custard and the cake with a signature festive aroma.

Recipe: Åland Winter Apple Cake with Cardamom Custard

This dessert is the perfect blend of rustic charm and refined taste, making it a great choice for cozy family dinners or festive holiday tables. It brings a little piece of Åland’s spirit to our winter celebrations, creating sweet memories together.

Serves: 8
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Calories: ~370 kcal per serving (estimated, including custard)
Recipe Cuisine: Nordic / Scandinavian
Recipe Keywords: Åland apple cake, Scandinavian Christmas dessert, cardamom custard, Nordic baking, holiday fruit cake, rye almond streusel, Åland recipes, winter apple dessert, Åland winter apple cake

Ingredients

For the Apple Filling:

5 Åland (or tart, crisp) apples – peeled, cored, and sliced
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp brown sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
2 tbsp blackcurrant jam or compote (optional but traditional)

For the Cake:

150 g (1¼ cups) all-purpose flour
50 g (½ cup) rye flour
100 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
2 eggs
100 ml (scant ½ cup) plain yogurt or sour cream
100 ml (scant ½ cup) melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Rye-Almond Streusel Topping:

50 g (½ cup) rye flour
50 g (½ cup) ground almonds
50 g (¼ cup) brown sugar
50 g (¼ cup) cold butter, cubed
Pinch of salt

For the Cardamom Custard:

400 ml (1¾ cups) whole milk
100 ml (scant ½ cup) heavy cream
4 egg yolks
80 g (½ cup) sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp freshly ground cardamom

Instructions

1. Prepare the Apple Filling:

In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter.
Add sliced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.
Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened but not mushy.
Stir in blackcurrant jam (if using) and let cool.

2. Make the Cake Batter:

Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 23-cm (9-inch) springform pan.
In a large bowl, mix flours, sugar, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, and salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, yogurt, melted butter, and vanilla.
Fold wet ingredients into the dry until just combined.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
Evenly layer the stewed apples on top.

3. Make the Streusel:

Combine rye flour, almonds, brown sugar, and salt in a bowl.
Cut in cold butter with fingers or pastry cutter until crumbly.
Sprinkle evenly over the apples.

4. Bake:

Bake for 40–45 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool slightly before serving.

Prepare the Cardamom Custard:

In a saucepan, whisk together milk, cream, sugar, cornstarch, and cardamom.
In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks.
Heat the milk mixture until just steaming, then slowly whisk it into the yolks.
Return everything to the pan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (don’t boil!).
Strain if desired for a smoother texture.

To Serve:

Slice warm apple cake and serve with a generous spoonful of warm cardamom custard. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with a few red currants or a sprig of fir for a festive touch.

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Åland Winter Apple Cake with Cardamom Custard: An Irresistible Nordic Treat