Imagine a dessert that transports you straight to a cozy French countryside kitchen, where the aroma of warm apples, buttery crumble, and sweet vanilla fills the air. This French Apple Crumble Cake is not just a recipe; it's a culinary journey that promises to tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul. Whether you're a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this irresistible cake will become your new go-to dessert that's guaranteed to impress family and friends with its perfect balance of tender cake, juicy apples, and crispy crumble topping.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: French
Serves: 10 servings
Ingredients
- 4 apples, peeled and chopped
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 150g sugar
- 100g butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 50g rolled oats
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter or line with parchment paper.
- Peel and core the apples, then chop them into small, uniform chunks approximately 1-2 cm in size.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer or whisk.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually fold this dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Gently fold the chopped apples and rolled oats into the cake batter, ensuring even distribution.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- For the crumble topping, mix additional flour, butter, and oats in a small bowl until it forms a coarse, crumbly texture.
- Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally dusted with powdered sugar or accompanied by vanilla ice cream.
Tips
- Choose the right apples: Use firm, slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking.
- Room temperature ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
- Don't overmix the batter: Fold ingredients gently to keep the cake light and fluffy. Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough cake.
- Even apple distribution: Toss chopped apples in a little flour before adding to the batter to prevent them from sinking.
- Check for doneness: Use the toothpick test - it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cooling is crucial: Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes to set the structure before transferring to a wire rack.
- Serving suggestion: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent experience.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 55mg
