Apple draft cake with crunchy oat crumb

Apple Draft Cake with Crunchy Oat Crumb

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 2 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tsp lemon juice)

For the Oat Crumb Topping:

• ½ cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Oat Crumb Topping

1. In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Some larger chunks of butter are fine — they’ll melt into the topping, creating a nice, crunchy texture.
3. Place the topping in the refrigerator while you prepare the cake batter.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Cake Pan

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 9-inch round or square cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Prepare the Cake Batter

1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and finish with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined — do not overmix, as this can make the cake dense.
5. Gently fold in the thinly sliced apples, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

1. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
2. Sprinkle the chilled oat crumb topping generously over the top of the cake. Make sure it covers the batter evenly for a uniform crunch.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

1. Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden and the crumb slightly crispy.
2. If the crumb begins to brown too quickly, cover the cake loosely with aluminum foil in the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

1. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 15 minutes.
2. Once the cake has cooled slightly, run a knife along the edges to loosen it from the pan. Carefully invert the cake onto a plate, remove the parchment paper, and then flip it back onto a serving plate.
3. Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing, although it can also be enjoyed slightly warm.

Serving Suggestions:

This Apple Draft Cake is perfect as a dessert or an afternoon treat with tea or coffee. You can serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence. The tartness of the apples paired with the sweet and crunchy oat crumb topping makes this cake a delightful fall dessert.

Storage:

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you’d like to keep it longer, refrigerate it for up to 5 days, but allow it to come to room temperature or warm it slightly before serving to enjoy the best texture. You can also freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months.

Tips for Success:

1. Choose the right apples: Granny Smith apples provide a tartness that balances the sweetness of the cake. Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples also work well due to their firm texture and balanced flavor.
2. Prevent soggy crumb topping: Chilling the oat crumb topping before adding it to the cake helps keep the butter firm, ensuring that the topping stays crunchy while baking.
3. Even apple distribution: Thinly slicing the apples ensures they cook evenly within the batter. Gently fold them in, so they don’t clump together in one area of the cake.
4. Test for doneness: Ovens can vary, so check your cake by inserting a toothpick or cake tester. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.

This Apple Draft Cake with Crunchy Oat Crumb is a warm, spiced delight that will satisfy your fall dessert cravings!