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Home » sweet things » Sticky Apple and Ginger Cake

Sticky Apple and Ginger Cake

Posted Sep 14, 2019 | Updated Mar 15, 2022 by Helen | 28 Comments |

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Sticky apple and ginger cake

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.

Jump to

  • Why you’ll love it
  • About the ingredients
  • How to make this in just 4 easy steps
  • Expert tips and recipe FAQ
  • More easy snack cake recipes
  • More apple recipes
  • Recipe

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

Sticky Apple and Ginger Cake

Deliciously sticky, fruity easy-to-make cake bars. They’re like a cross between gingerbread and fruit cake, and make a great easier alternative to Christmas cake.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Cuisine British
Servings (click to change) 8
Author Helen

Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)

cups/ounces – grams/ml
  • 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

topping (optional)

  • 2 ounces white chocolate
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat oven to 200C / 390F and line a 8 x 8 inch square baking pan with baking paper.
  • Sift the flour, baking powder and ginger together in a medium bowl.
  • Melt the butter, syrup and sugar together in a saucepan. Add to the flour together with the stem ginger, dried fruit, apple and egg. Stir it all together with a wooden spoon until just combined.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared tin, then bake for 30 minutes until risen and golden. Cover with foil half way through cooking to prevent over-browning.
  • Optional: Melt the white chocolate in a jug in the microwave (in 30-second spurts – I find 3 times does it), then drizzle all over the cake.
  • When cool (and the chocolate – if you’ve used it – is set), slice into 8 bars.

Notes

How long it keeps: for 4 to 5 days in an airtight container. 
Using a different fruit to apple: Rhubarb works as a good substitute for apple. Let me know if you try this recipe with rhubarb!
Substitute for golden syrup: Dark corn syrup works as a decent substitute for golden syrup. Or use 1 part molasses to 3 parts corn syrup, or rice malt syrup, or even honey. Or you can buy golden syrup on Amazon (affiliate link).

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 102mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 1gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 307IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let me know if you liked it!

Comments

  1. Celia McClements says

    11 Jan 22 at 12:51 am

    5 stars
    Why do people even buy cake? This was quick and easy and one of the best tasting gingerbreads I have ever eaten. Thank you for sharing this recipe

    Reply
    • Helen says

      12 Jan 22 at 3:51 pm

      Well, thank you too for taking the time to write a review! I agree that this is a pretty awesome cake – I’m so glad you enjoyed it too! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jill Higgins says

    06 Oct 21 at 5:42 pm

    Great result with this recipe! I wanted to make gluten free so followed the hints in the comments by Sandra. I didn’t have xanthan gum so added an extra egg instead. It turned out fine. One thing – the dried fruit (sultanas) sank to the bottom. Will definitely make again, thank you.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      07 Oct 21 at 10:37 am

      Hello Jill! I’m so happy you enjoyed this cake! It’s super helpful to hear how it went making it gluten free. Interesting that you added an extra egg instead of xanthan gum! Not sure why the fruit sank to the bottom? But anyway, very happy. Thank you for the great feedback.

      Reply
  3. Sandra Amos says

    12 Feb 21 at 6:19 am

    5 stars
    What a lovely cake. Wasn’t sure at first as usually don’t make cakes that just have the one egg and I wanted a deeper cake rather than tray bake style. I decided to make just as is and baked in a small 6″ deep round cake tin. So glad I did and swapped out wheat flour for 105g gluten free all purpose with 20g almond flour plus 1 tsp bp and barely quarter tsp xanthan gum. Added zest of 1 lemon with 1 tsp vanilla extract plus a few drops almond extract. One other addition was about 25g whole almonds chopped very roughly.
    So easy to mix up and a winner.
    I baked on 160 degrees fan and it took 1 and a quarter hours and covered with foil after about 45 mins.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      12 Feb 21 at 3:20 pm

      Hello Sandra! Thank you so much for taking a risk and trying the recipe! I really appreciate your detailed feedback and am very pleased that you enjoyed it. I really like your idea of adding almonds and lemon and will try that myself next time I make these. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Val Clark says

    28 Oct 20 at 4:31 am

    5 stars
    Easy to bake and absolutely delicious. Made with apple and apricot. Would definitely make again…quite soon!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      28 Oct 20 at 3:47 pm

      Hi Val! Thank you so much for the lovely feedback. I’m very happy you think this cake is as yummy as I do! I love the sound of your apple and apricot version! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Lauren says

    21 Oct 20 at 4:41 pm

    I haven’t made this yet. Would it be possible to provide a weight measurement for the butter?
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      21 Oct 20 at 5:50 pm

      Hi Lauren! Yes, sure – you need 85 grams or 3 ounces of butter. Was it the ounces measurement you were looking for? There’s a little button to convert to grams. I hope you enjoy these. They’re one of my favourite cakes! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Liz says

    20 Jul 20 at 7:45 pm

    Hi, looks lovely. Only have ground ginger. Can I increase the amount of ground ginger instead of adding crystallised and if by how much?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Helen says

      20 Jul 20 at 9:21 pm

      Hello Liz! I hope you enjoy these – I think they’re delicious! Try adding another teaspoon of ground ginger instead of the crystallised ginger.

      Reply
  7. Rita says

    09 Oct 17 at 2:29 am

    Just made this, delicious. I’m using up a glut of apples so made double, was a bit short of crystallised ginger so used extra dried, and sultanas as i think go well with apples. No icing. Really quick as no creaming the fat. Cooked the bigger tin for 5 extra mins and then 5 more mins with the oven switched off, worked out fine. Am freezing a few bars for another week.
    Highly recommended.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      09 Oct 17 at 7:47 pm

      So happy you enjoyed these, Rita, and thanks so much for taking the time to leave your feedback. Always makes my day when someone has enjoyed one of my recipes!

      Reply
  8. Emma Claire says

    09 Dec 16 at 1:32 pm

    It’s easy and delicious recipe. My kids will love this :). Thank you very much for your sharing!!!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      11 Dec 16 at 5:42 pm

      Hello Emma. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I really hope you do give these a go – let me know how they turn out if you do!

      Reply
  9. mira says

    03 Dec 16 at 4:49 am

    I always love your desserts Helen! This is a great combination! Pinned to try it!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      03 Dec 16 at 6:33 pm

      Thank you Mira!

      Reply
  10. Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says

    02 Dec 16 at 9:49 pm

    Now this is my kind of cake! I’m not so much into those vanilla/chocolate cakes loaded with frosting (although those are good too), but my favorites are always spiced and/or contain fruit. They smell incredible as they’re baking and they’re always so moist and flavorful! And I love how you’ve taken a cake inspiration and turned them into these lovely little bars. Somehow that makes them more versitle throughout the day, i.e. enjoy with your morning coffee/tea, mid-day snack, or dessert 🙂

    Reply
    • Helen says

      03 Dec 16 at 6:34 pm

      Thank you, Kathleen! I wasn’t sure how popular a twist on fruit cake would be, but I for one have always enjoyed a good fruit cake! Hope you’re doing well!

      Reply
  11. Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says

    01 Dec 16 at 9:51 pm

    I’m getting right into the holiday baking this year and love the looks of this cake! Apple and ginger go so well together 🙂

    Reply
    • Helen says

      03 Dec 16 at 6:35 pm

      Good luck with all that baking, Denise! I bet your kitchen smells wonderful!

      Reply
  12. [email protected] says

    01 Dec 16 at 2:56 pm

    This is the kind of yummy cake I love this time of the year and I love your idea with mulled wine. I can imagine your kitchen smelled so festive and delicious while baking.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      03 Dec 16 at 6:35 pm

      That’s what I love the most about spicy Christmassy cakes – that smell!!

      Reply
  13. Eva says

    01 Dec 16 at 8:23 am

    Moi aussi, je préféré ce type des gâteaux à la traditionnel bûche de Noël. J’aime tous les ingrédients que tu as mis dedans, il a l’air vraiment très très bon! A essayer d’urgence!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      03 Dec 16 at 6:36 pm

      Essaie-les, Eva! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Shashi at RunninSrilankan says

    01 Dec 16 at 2:12 pm

    These simple, easy, finger licking good cake bars sound WONDERFUL, Helen! The dried fruit, the apple, the fresh and candied ginger – wow 0 what a treat each mouthful of this must be – perfect with a cuppa coffee! Looking forward to seeing your Christmas cake recipe someday 🙂

    Reply
    • Helen says

      03 Dec 16 at 6:36 pm

      Thank you dear Shashi!! Really must try to dig that recipe out!

      Reply

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