The Ultimate Autumn Apple Crumble Cake Recipe

Apple crumble cake combines a soft sponge cake packed with fresh fruit and a buttery oat topping, according to culinary recipes published by Clodagh McKenna. The dessert yields 10 to 12 slices from a 23-centimeter round cake tin and requires a baking time of 55 to 65 minutes at an oven temperature of 180°C fan or 200°C conventional, based on specifications from clodaghmckenna.com.

Ingredients and Preparation for the Apple Filling

The apple filling utilizes four medium eating apples, such as the Pink Lady variety, prepared by peeling, coring, and cutting them into small chunks roughly 1 to 1.5 centimeters in size, according to clodaghmckenna.com. The fruit is then tossed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, and 1 tablespoon of plain flour. The added flour acts to catch the apple juices during the cooking process, ensuring the middle of the cake stays soft rather than wet, as noted in the recipe details.

Crumble Topping and Sponge Batter Specifications

The crumble topping requires 90 grams of plain flour, 90 grams of rolled oats, 75 grams of light brown sugar, 90 grams of cold unsalted butter diced into pieces, a pinch of fine salt, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 40 grams of roughly chopped hazelnuts, almonds, or walnuts, according to clodaghmckenna.com. Cooks rub the cold butter into the dry mixture until fine crumbs and a few larger clumps form, then refrigerate the mixture while preparing the batter. The sponge base calls for 175 grams of softened unsalted butter and 175 grams of caster sugar beaten together for 3 to 4 minutes until pale and fluffy, followed by three large eggs added one at a time and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, as stated by clodaghmckenna.com. Bakers then fold in 175 grams of self-raising flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, a pinch of fine salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk to create a thick, easily spreadable batter.

Assembly and Baking Instructions

To assemble the dessert, the cake batter is spooned into a buttered 23-centimeter loose-bottomed cake tin, smoothed on top, and sprinkled with 60 grams of golden sultanas, according to clodaghmckenna.com. The prepared apple mixture is scattered evenly across the batter, followed by the chilled crumble topping, which should not be pressed down in order to maintain a loose texture for a crisp finish. The cake bakes for 55 to 65 minutes until the crumble turns golden and a skewer inserted into the cake portion comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, with a loose sheet of foil added during the final 10 to 15 minutes if the top colors too quickly, per instructions on clodaghmckenna.com. After baking, the cake rests in the tin for 20 minutes before release and is recommended to be served warm alongside cold pouring cream, custard, or crème fraîche.