Sticky Apple and Ginger Cake

Name: Sticky Apple and Ginger Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 cup self-raising flour; 1 pinch baking powder; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; ¾ stick butter; ¼ cup soft brown sugar; ¼ cup golden syrup ((dark corn syrup in USA)); 1.5 ounces crystallized ginger (chopped (either in syrup or crystallized is fine)); ½ cup dried fruit (e.g. prunes, apricots, cranberries, raisins (chopped)); 1 apple (peeled and diced); 1 egg (whisked); 2 ounces white chocolate

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A cross between an easy gingerbread recipe and an apple tray bake, this apple and ginger cake is deliciously sticky. It’s one of those quick and easy one bowl cake recipes that the whole family will love. You can even make it as a simpler alternative to a Christmas cake!

sticky apple ginger cake bars on baking paper with apples and other ingredients in the background

This recipe started out with a simple but delicious spiced apple cake recipe sent to me by a work colleague. This of course is one of the many perks of being a food blogger – people sometimes want to share their yummiest recipes with you!

I was very happy because I once followed a Christmas cake recipe that contained apple, dried fruit and ginger. After I lost it, I searched online until my eyes ached, but I never found it.

I adapted my colleague’s apple cake recipe and came up with this similar but a bit stickier and more ginger-y cake.

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Why you’ll love it

It’s a one bowl cake recipe. Very quick and easy to throw together! (Melt the wet ingredients together in a saucepan, and then briefly stir in the dry ingredients.)
It tastes something like a cross between gingerbread, a spiced apple cake, and a light fruit cake. It’s lighter and fluffier than gingerbread, but still moist, sticky, and ginger-y. In other words, delicious!
You can make it for your family any day of the year, or drizzle white chocolate over the top and make it your favourite easy Christmas cake recipe! It’s got a warming quality that’s perfect for handing around with cups of tea (or sneaky glasses of mulled wine at Christmas).
It’s a small batch recipe. There are pros and cons to this, of course. You may not have any cake leftovers to take into work, but you won’t be tempted to overindulge!

This ginger cake has got a warming quality that’s perfect for handing around with cups of tea (or sneaky glasses of mulled wine at Christmas)!

About the ingredients

Flour: Use self-raising flour. If you can’t get hold of this easily, just use plain flour with a teaspoon and a half of baking powder added. Don’t use self-rising flour instead. It isn’t the same!

Ginger: This cake contains both a teaspoon of ground ginger and some chopped candied ginger. You can either use crystallized ginger, or stem ginger in syrup – whichever you can find.

Butter: Melted! Yep, no creaming of butter and sugar necessary. Just melt it in a saucepan or bowl in the microwave with the syrup and sugar.

Brown sugar: For extra deep flavour and sticky-ness. Yum.

Golden syrup: Golden syrup is what you usually find in gingerbread and other traditional cakes and slices (try these gingerbread muffins or Anzac biscuits!). It’s very easy to find in the UK and Australia, but if you’re elsewhere and can’t find it easily, don’t worry – just use 1 part molasses to 3 parts corn syrup. Or even rice malt syrup or honey.

Dried fruit: Any type or a mixture works well.

Apple: Any type, grated. Rhubarb works well, too!

How to make this in just 4 easy steps

Step 1: Sift the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, ground ginger) together.

Step 2: Melt the ‘wet’ ingredients (so butter, syrup, sugar) in a saucepan. Stir through the ‘dry’ ingredients plus stem ginger, apple and other dried fruit, plus a whisked egg.

Step 3: Pour into a small baking tin and bake for just 30 minutes.

Step 4: If you like, drizzle over a little white chocolate to make it look fancy!

Whole sticky apple ginger cake bars on baking paper with apples and other ingredients in the background

A close up of sticky apple ginger cake bars on baking paper with apples and other ingredients in the background

Try this recipe with rhubarb instead of apple. Sticky apple and rhubarb cake… Mmmm…

Expert tips and recipe FAQ

What’s a good substitute for golden syrup?

Don’t worry – if Golden Syrup is difficult to get hold of where you live, 1 part molasses to 3 parts dark corn syrup is a good alternative. Or just the corn syrup or even honey in a pinch.

Alternatively, you can find it in on Amazon (affiliate link).

What can I make with the leftover golden syrup?

Ever tried Australian Anzac biscuits? They’re made every year (or any time really!) to commemorate Anzac Day, the date of the Australian and New Zealand army’s first major military campaign during WWI. They’re quick and easy to make, and this recipe’s lower in sugar than average.

These gingerbread muffins with salted caramel icing also come highly recommended. They’re perfect for special occasions… and of course for Christmas!

How long will this cake keep and can I freeze it?

This ginger cake keeps pretty well in an airtight container – for about 4 to 5 days. Like most cakes, it also freezes exceptionally well. Simply wrap well and freeze in sealed containers for up to 3 months.

More easy snack cake recipes

Addictive peanut butter cheerio bars
Lemon bakewell slices (a slice of English tradition!)
No bowl chocolate pecan bars
Banana sheet cake with peanut butter fudge frosting
Rhubarb and ginger oat slices (healthy flapjacks!)
Or see all of my cakes!

More apple recipes

Easy apple cake (torta di mele) – for a SUPER quick and easy apple dessert!
Healthy broccoli salad with apple and bacon (delicious!)
Toffee apple chocolate bark (makes a perfect homemade gift!)
Easy apple crumble pie (Dutch apple pie)

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