Hey there, fellow food enthusiasts! As Halloween approaches, it's time to get into the spooky spirit and whip up some delightful treats that will enchant your taste buds. One such treat that perfectly combines the flavors of fall with the fun of Halloween is our Apple Crumble Cake. It's not only delicious but also super easy to make. So, let's dive right into this sweet Halloween dessert idea!
Ingredients:
For the Apple Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 2 medium-sized apples)
For the Crumble Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prep:
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) square baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Make the Crumble Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon for the crumble topping. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a fork or pastry cutter to blend everything together until it resembles coarse crumbs. Set this aside.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Set this dry mixture aside.
4. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
5. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Then, add the pure vanilla extract and mix well.
6. Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Don't overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine.
7. Add Sour Cream and Apples:
- Gently fold in the sour cream until it's fully integrated into the batter. Then, add the diced apples and stir until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
8. Layer and Crumble:
- Pour half of the cake batter into your prepared baking pan. Sprinkle about half of the crumble topping over the batter. Now, add the remaining batter and finish with the rest of the crumble topping.
9. Bake to Perfection:
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and the top is beautifully golden brown.
10. Cool and Serve:
- Once your Apple Crumble Cake is done baking, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Spooky Decor:
- To give this cake a Halloween twist, consider using Halloween-themed cake toppers, orange and black sprinkles, or even a light dusting of powdered sugar to mimic a spider's web.
This Apple Crumble Cake is a fantastic addition to your Halloween dessert spread. It combines the flavors of fall with a comforting crumbly texture, making it an irresistible treat for both kids and adults. So, whip up this delicious cake, and let the Halloween festivities begin! 🍎🎃