Why You'll Love It

Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, it’s a festive dessert that feels indulgent but stays on the healthier side — ideal for gatherings, brunches, or a comforting winter treat.

The holidays are the perfect time to embrace simple, feel-good baking — the kind that fills your home with warmth, comfort, and the nostalgic aroma of apples and vanilla.

 This Holiday Apple Custard Cake is exactly that kind of recipe: uncomplicated, cozy, and surprisingly light. Instead of heavy frostings or sugar-packed desserts, this cake celebrates whole ingredients like fresh apples, eggs, and a touch of naturally sweet vanilla.

Soft, custardy, and beautifully tender, it’s a dessert that looks impressive but comes together with minimal effort. And the best part? It’s healthier than your average holiday treat while still tasting like something you’d savor around the fireplace.

Ingredients

• 3 medium apples, peeled and sliced
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 3 tbsp melted coconut oil or butter
• 1/3 cup maple syrup or coconut sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup flour (oat flour works great for a healthier boost)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. Prep the oven
   Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8-inch baking dish.
2. Arrange the apples
   Spread your sliced apples evenly across the bottom of your baking dish.
3. Make the custard batter
   In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, melted coconut oil (or butter), maple syrup, and vanilla.
4. Add dry ingredients
   Stir in flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until just combined. The batter will be thinner than a typical cake batter — that’s what makes it custardy!
5. Pour and smooth
   Pour the batter over the apples, gently tapping the dish to remove air bubbles.
6. Bake
   Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
7. Cool and serve
   Let the cake cool slightly before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar if you’d like!

Enjoy warm, chilled, or at room temperature.

Why This Cake Is Healthier

• Uses whole apples, rich in fiber + antioxidants
• Sweetened with maple syrup or coconut sugar
• Lower in fat due to the custard-style batter
• Can be made with oat flour for extra nutrients
• Light, simple ingredients — no heavy creams or overly rich frostings

Holiday desserts don’t have to be complicated or overly sweet to feel special. This Apple Custard Cake brings together the best parts of the season: warmth, comfort, whole ingredients, and a little bit of magic. Whether you serve it for brunch, Christmas morning, or as a lighter after-dinner treat, it’s a dish that invites everyone to slow down and savor the moment.

If you enjoyed this recipe, check out more wholesome, holiday-inspired treats on Hopegrown — your home for nature-rooted wellness and seasonal cooking that nourishes both body and soul. 🌿✨