This Apple Cake with Vanilla Pudding Cream and Honey Almonds is a delightful twist on traditional apple desserts. It combines a buttery shortcrust pastry with a rich layer of vanilla pudding and fresh apple slices, topped off with crunchy honey-glazed almonds. This recipe offers a wonderful texture and flavor contrast, perfect for those who love a mix of creamy and crisp in their desserts.
Why You'll Love This: This cake brings together the comforting flavors of vanilla and apple with the sweet crunch of almonds, making it a sophisticated yet homey treat. It's perfect for those who appreciate a dessert that is not too sweet but rich in traditional flavors. The pudding cream adds a smooth texture that complements the tender apples and the flaky pastry base.
Perfect Occasion: Ideal for autumn gatherings, holiday celebrations, or as a weekend baking project. It's also great for bringing to potlucks or serving at afternoon tea. This cake is sure to impress with its layered beauty and delicious taste.
Decoration Tips: For an added touch of elegance, you can sprinkle powdered sugar over the top before serving or arrange some extra thinly sliced apples in a decorative pattern on top of the pudding layer before baking. Adding a few whole almonds along with the flaked ones will enhance the texture and appearance.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
For the Shortcrust Pastry:
- 100g cold butter, cubed
- 70g sugar
- 15g vanilla sugar
- 1 medium to large egg
- 230g flour
- 1/2 packet baking powder
For the Pudding Cream:
- 550 ml whole milk (3.8% fat)
- 50 ml liquid cream
- 2 packets vanilla pudding powder (38g each)
- 60g sugar
- 15g vanilla sugar
For the Apple Filling:
- 800g apples (about 5 medium-sized), peeled, cored, and cut into wedges
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
For the Topping:
- 30g flaked almonds
- Liquid honey for drizzling
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pastry:
- In a food processor or using a stand mixer (like a Thermomix), combine the cold butter, sugar, vanilla sugar, egg, flour, and baking powder. Knead until the dough is smooth.
- Butter a 26cm springform pan, press the dough into the bottom and up the sides halfway. Refrigerate the prepared pan.
- Make the Pudding Cream:
- In the Thermomix or a saucepan, combine milk, cream, pudding powder, sugar, and vanilla sugar. Cook the mixture until it thickens (about 7 minutes at 90°C on reverse function setting 3 in the Thermomix).
- Allow the pudding to cool slightly, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Toss the apple wedges with sugar, vanilla sugar, and lemon juice.
- Take the crust out of the fridge, prick the base with a fork, and layer the apple slices on top.
- Mix the still-warm pudding cream with 2 eggs and 30g butter (mix for 20 seconds in the Thermomix at level 4).
- Pour the pudding cream over the apples and smooth the top.
- Sprinkle with flaked almonds and drizzle with honey.
- Bake the Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).
- Bake on the second lowest rack for about 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden and set.
- Let the cake cool completely in the pan. For best results, refrigerate overnight before removing from the mold. This helps the cake set and makes it easier to slice.
Enjoy this luxurious Apple Cake with Vanilla Pudding Cream and Honey Almonds as a delightful end to a meal or as a special treat with your afternoon coffee. Its combination of flavors and textures will surely make it a favorite!