Mary Berry's Apple Crumble Cake

Mary Berry's Apple Crumble Cake is a delightful and comforting dessert that combines the tender sweetness of spiced apples with a golden, crumbly topping. This classic dessert is perfect for any occasion, providing a cozy indulgence with its baked warmth.

Ingredients List

For the cake:

• Cooking apples (1.5kg, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped)
• Butter (30g)
• Light muscovado sugar (175g)

For the crumble topping:

• Plain flour (175g)
• Butter (115g, cut into cubes)
• Demerara sugar (55g, plus extra for sprinkling)

Preparation Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (180°C fan, Gas 6). Prepare a 25 cm deep ovenproof pie plate.
2. Cook Apples: In a wide-based skillet, melt butter and add apples with a bit of water. Cook until tender (about 6 minutes), then stir in the sugar and set aside to cool.
3. Make Crumble Topping: In a large bowl, combine the flour, cubed butter, and demerara sugar. Rub the mixture with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs.
4. Assemble Cake: Spoon the cooled apples evenly into the pie plate. Cover with the crumble topping and sprinkle some extra demerara sugar.
5. Bake: Place in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 180°C (160°C fan, Gas 4) and bake until golden and bubbling.

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store the leftover apple crumble cake in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Wrap the cake tightly and freeze for 3 to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheating: In the oven, bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, microwave slices for 30-40 seconds on medium heat.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 190 per serving
• Total Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 15mg
• Sodium: 105mg
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 12g
• Protein: 2g

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Difference Between Apple Crumble Cake and Apple Crisp?
   Apple crumble cake does not contain oats in its topping, unlike apple crisp.
2. Why Might the Topping Not Be Crunchy?
   Insufficient butter in the crumble mixture can lead to a less crunchy topping.
3. What Should the Topping Look Like?
   The crumble topping should be a golden, crumbly mixture of flour, butter, and sugar.
4. Why Does My Topping Look Like Dough?
   This could happen if the butter is too warm or if the mixture is over-mixed.

Mary Berry's Apple Crumble Cake is a timeless treat that blends the warmth of baked apples with a crunchy, sweet topping. Serve it warm with a dollop of ice cream, crème fraîche, custard, or whipped cream for a delightful dessert experience. This recipe is an adaptation of Mary Berry's original recipe.

This recipe is an adaptation of Mary Berry's original recipe.