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Aeblekage, also known as Danish apple cake is a great, traditional no-bake dessert. It translates directly to “apple cake”, but unlike most takes this is something that can be assembled oven-free! If you’re looking for a quick, simple recipe, this is definitely the dessert to go to. For being such a simple dessert, it’s surprisingly heavy so it makes the perfect end to a lighter meal.

Aeblekage is a layered dessert of apple, oats, and a few other toppings. Some prefer it with a whipped cream topping, but as someone raised with apple crumble I’ve actually grown at least somewhat partial to a custard topping. Keep reading below for this fantastic recipe…

Danish Apple Cake (Aeblekage)

(makes 4 servings)

Ingredients

APPLE CAKE

  • 2 cups apple puree
  • 1/2 cup diced apples
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 10 almond macaroons or Italian amaretti biscuits crushed
  • 4 tablespoons port wine
  • chocolate shavings

CUSTARD

  • 1 3/4 cup milk
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Melt the butter and honey in a pan over medium heat.
  2. Add the rolled oats and roast until they turn golden and smell slightly nutty. Remove from the heat and let cool.
  3. Meanwhile, make the custard. Heat the milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Meanwhile, whisk together the yolks, sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium bowl.
  4. Add the hot milk to the egg mixture in a slow stream, whisking constantly. Pour the custard back into the saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until thickened and it registers 170F. Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and stir in the butter and vanilla. Place a round of parchment paper over the top and chill until cold (about an hour and a half to 2 hours).
  5. Just before assembling, mix together the apple puree and the diced apples. Mix together the crushed macaroons and rolled oats.
  6. To assemble the dish, first place down a layer of the rolled oats mixture into a serving glass (this should serve about 4 so use 4 individual glasses). Sprinkle with a could of drops of the port wine, then add the apple mixture. Repeat again until you run out of apple and rolled oats (should make about 5 layers). Top the final layer with the custard and sprinkle with copped dark chocolate.
  7. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted fromHonest Cooking