LEAN SYRUP CAKE WITH APPLES AND WALNUTS (no oil)

There’s something deeply comforting about the smell of apples and cinnamon spreading through the home. This cake is one of those old-fashioned desserts that takes you back to childhood, when cakes were mixed with a spoon, baked in large pans, and shared with neighbors. It’s a typical Macedonian lean dessert, made without eggs, butter, or milk, yet it tastes rich, juicy, and full of warmth. The apples themselves make it moist, so even without syrup, it melts in your mouth. Perfect for fasting periods or simply when you want a sweet reminder of tradition.

This delicious apple cake doesn’t feel lean at all! It’s simple, quick, and made without eggs, butter, or milk. You can mix all ingredients with a spoon, and the result is a soft, moist cake full of apple aroma. The apples themselves give it juiciness, so you can even skip the syrup if you want it lighter. This cake is perfect for fasting days or whenever you want something sweet but simple.

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 15 tablespoons sugar

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 20 tablespoons mineral water

• 6 grated apples

• 250 g semolina (8.8 oz)

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 20 flat tablespoons flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 100 g chopped walnuts (3.5 oz)

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the syrup (optional):

• 500 g sugar (17.5 oz)

• 500 ml water (2 cups)

Preparation

1. Mix all ingredients with a mixer (or spoon) in a large bowl, adding them one by one.

2. Pour the mixture into a floured 30×40 cm baking tray. For a taller cake, use a smaller tray.

3. Bake at 200 °C (390 °F) for about 30 minutes.

4. If you don’t want it too sweet, skip the syrup and just dust with powdered sugar.

5. For the syrup, boil sugar and water for 10 minutes.

6. When both syrup and cake are lukewarm, cut the cake into cubes and pour syrup evenly.

7. Sprinkle with coconut flakes and walnuts on top.