Apple Cake Squares

This cake is fast to make and you can serve it for dessert or wrap slices up to take to school or the office.

The bonus of this cake is that it’s fast to make. It’s a moist cake with a mellow cinnamon-apple taste. You can serve it for dessert or you can wrap slices up to take to school or to the office.

Food as Medicine

In extensive studies from the United Kingdom, Finland, and the Netherlands, consuming at least two apples per week has been linked to a lower incidence of asthma and type 2 diabetes, as well as enhanced overall lung health, crucial factors for healthy aging. The protective effects of apples are likely attributed to their high concentration of anti-inflammatory flavonoids like quercetin and catechin.

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons softened butter
2 eggs
2 cups apples, peeled, cored, finely shredded
1/4 cup finely chopped dates
1/4cup confectioners’ sugar

GARNISH (Optional)
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup maple syrup

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix the flour, salt, nutmeg, baking soda, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl and stir thoroughly.
3. Cream the sugar and butter together in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs and whisk until smooth. Stir in the shredded apples and dates until they are completely distributed throughout.
4. Slowly stir in the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly into the batter.
5. Spray the bottom and sides of a 9-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray, or grease it with 1/4 teaspoon of butter and pour in the batter. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes.
6. Put the confectioners’ sugar in a sifter and dust it over the cooled cake a few times until all the sugar is gone. If you want to garnish, mix the walnuts with the maple syrup and drizzle over individual serving plates. Cut the Apple Cake into 9 squares and arrange each one on top of a decorated plate and serve.