A good balance between tart and sweet as well as buttery and crispy. If that sounds like your dream apple crumble cake, you’ll love this recipe.
Apple crumble cake has long been one of the things that bring a sense of comfort and joy to many people, myself included. I’m sure if we were to take a poll, apple crumble cake would make it into many people’s list of ultimate comfort food. It’s perfect whenever you want to sit back and relax with a cup of tea or coffee. You could enjoy it alone or with guests.
For this reason, there are many recipes scattered about the Internet. I’ve tried a fair few of them in a bid to find the best one out there. Truthfully, I never thought I’d be able to find the best recipe.
Apple crumble cake is such an easy dish to make. However, it’s hard to get right. Some recipes result to too much cake and too little crumble, or vice versa. Other recipes pay more attention to the sweetness of the cake that the tartness of the apple is lost.
Taking all of that into consideration, I set out to create my own variation that anybody will be able to make. This recipe I’m about to share is the perfect apple crumble cake that balances all of those factors. It’s practically foolproof.
Apple Crumble Cake Recipe
Ingredients for Apple Crumble Cake
For the Crumb:
3/4 Cups all-purpose flour (100 grams)
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar (100 grams)
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup melted butter (85 grams)
For the Apples:
2-3 Apples of choice (I used Granny Smith and Gala)
2 Tbsp granulated sugar (25 grams)
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
For the Cake:
1 ¼ Cup All-purpose Flour (177 grams)
1 tsp Baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup granulated sugar (142 grams)
1 large egg
¼ cup plain yoghurt (57 grams)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil (15 ml)
¼ cup milk (55 ml)
Instructions to make Apple Crumble Cake:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a 20cm springform pan and line it with baking paper.
For the Crumb:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
2. Add in the melted butter, and whisk until a crumbly dough forms. Place it in the fridge.
For the Apples:
- Cut the apples into thin slices, and place them in a bowl.
- Add in the lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon. Mix well then place in the fridge.
For the Cake:
1. In a medium bowl mix together the flour, cinnamon, and salt.
2. In a larger bowl, whisk the sugar and egg together, then add the yoghurt and vanilla extract.
3. Add in the oil and milk. Whisk until well combined.
4. Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix with a spatula or a wooden spoon until just combined. Don’t overmix, some lumps are okay.
5. Pour the cake batter into the pan and arrange the apple slices on top.
6. Take the crumble out of the fridge, and use a fork to break up the dough into chunks.
7. Distribute the crumble on top of the apples.
8. Bake it for 35-45 minute, or until a tooth pick come out clean.
9. Let it completely cool down before serving.
Now, I know making this apple crumble cake took a lot of steps. But just take a look at your work. You can’t tell me it wasn’t worth it. The resulting crumble cake is not only picture perfect, but also mouthwateringly delectable. You have perfectly crisp crumble toppings with a cake that’s moist and fluffy. To add to that, you get the perfect balance of tart and sweet.
Tips
Baking apple crumb cake may have a lot of steps, but it’s still really easy. That being said, below are a few tips to make the process more seamless:
Use melted butter for the crumb
There is a reason I specified melted butter in the instructions. This will make your crumb extra crisp. If you use softened butter instead, you’ll end up with squishy. On the other hand, cold butter will give you soft crumbs.
Don’t forget to preheat your oven
Preheating your oven is an important step if you don’t want to end up with an undercooked mess. This will ensure you have the correct temperature once you start to put your cake inside.
Check on your crumb
You may have a preference for how crunchy your crumb should be. If that’s the case, it’s a good idea to check on the color every now and then. If you think it’s browning too much, feel free to cover the top loosely with aluminum foil.
Prep your pans properly
Make sure to grease your pans and line them with parchment paper. These steps will make sure the apple crumble cake stays intact it gets baked and you’re trying to take it out of the pan.
Rotate the pan midway
Same with baking cookies, make sure to rotate the pan midway through the baking process to ensure all sides cook evenly. You wouldn’t want half of your cake to be crispier than the other half, right?
FAQs
Does Apple Crumble Cake need to be refrigerated?
It’s generally a good idea to refrigerate your apple crumble cake if you won’t be able to consume it in one sitting. You can probably keep it out overnight, but anything more than that? I wouldn’t recommend it because of food safety concerns. This is especially important if you will be feeding it to other people.
Can you freeze apple crumble cake?
Yes, absolutely. Of course, nothing beats an apple crumble cake straight out of the oven. However, if for whatever reason you have to store it, using your freezer to prolong its shelf life is a great idea. In fact, it can last up to three months in a freezer.
Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Once you’re ready to take it out for consumption, let it defrost at room temperature. Once it’s thawed, you can eat it as is.
Take note that while the flavor will still be there, the crumble topping will not be as crispy as it once was. To remedy this, you can pop it in the oven for 20-25 minutes at 320 °F. Check if the center is warm. This should be an indication that your topping is once again crispy.
Is apple crumble eaten hot or cold?
You can eat it however you wish. Hot or cold, apple crumble cake still tastes delicious. It’s just a matter of preference. That being said, most people prefer their apple crumble cake warm for that melts in your mouth experience.
How to store apple crumble cake?
You can store it either in your refrigerator or freezer. After taking it out of the oven, let it cool to room temperature. Only then can you store it in your ref or freezer. Just make sure you use an airtight container.
How long does apple crumble cake last
Without refrigeration, it can last two days. But that’s still dependent on your location and climate. For example, there is a higher chance of your apple crumble cake turning moldy in a tropical country. With refrigeration, you can possibly extend this to three days or five days. If you freeze it, it can last up to three months.
