Are you craving a comforting, warm dessert that's surprisingly simple to make? Then look no further! This Apple Mortgage Cake recipe is a delightful blend of sweet apples, tender cake, and a irresistible crumble topping. Perfect for a cozy night in, a weekend bake, or even a casual weeknight treat, this recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite. It's one of those easy recipes that delivers big on flavor without demanding hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
For the Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Get started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. This simple prep step ensures your cake releases easily.
Make the cake batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don't overmix. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
Fold in apples: Gently fold in the sliced apples.
Prepare the crumble: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, nuts (if using), and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Assemble and bake: Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the batter.
Bake to perfection: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before serving.
Cooking Tips for a Perfect Apple Mortgage Cake:
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Use cold butter for the crumble: Cold butter creates a flakier crumble topping.
- Let the cake cool completely: This allows the cake to set and makes it easier to serve.
- Adjust sweetness to your liking: If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the sugar by ¼ cup.
Variations:
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to the cake batter for a warmer flavor.
- Add different nuts: Try using chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds in the crumble topping.
- Use different apples: Experiment with different apple varieties for a unique flavor profile.
- Make it a streusel topping: For a more uniform topping, mix all crumble ingredients until well combined and use a spoon to spread over the cake batter.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
- Calories: Approximately 300-350
- Fat: Approximately 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 40-45g
- Protein: Approximately 4-5g
This Apple Mortgage Cake is a simple yet delicious dessert that's perfect for any occasion. Enjoy this easy recipe and the delightful homemade cooking experience! It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for quick dinner ideas or a special treat. Try it today and discover why it's one of the best recipes for a comforting and flavorful dessert.