Inspired by the rustic and hearty apple tarts sampled during a journey through Holland and Germany, this Dutch-Inspired Apple Streusel recipe captures the essence of traditional European baking. The recipe features a crisp, buttery base topped with a generous layer of spiced apple filling and crowned with a crunchy, crumbly streusel topping. This dessert combines the simplicity of its components to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that’s both comforting and indulgent.
Why You’ll Love This: The charm of this apple streusel lies in its contrast between the soft, cinnamon-spiced apples and the crunchy streusel topping, offering a satisfying texture with each bite. The buttery base adds depth, while the lemon juice and spices within the filling brighten the flavors, making this dessert a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. It’s an inviting treat that’s sure to warm the heart and delight the palate, ideal for any occasion that calls for a touch of sweetness.
Perfect Occasion: This Dutch-Inspired Apple Streusel is perfect for autumn gatherings, holiday celebrations, or as a comforting treat on a chilly evening. It’s a fantastic way to showcase seasonal apples and can be served as a splendid finale to a family dinner, a special brunch, or enjoyed as a delightful afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or tea. Its rustic appearance and delicious flavor make it a hit at any table.
Decoration Tips: For an extra touch of elegance, dust the cooled streusel with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple icing glaze. Serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side elevates it to a decadent dessert, while a dollop of whipped cream adds a creamy contrast to the crunchy topping. Fresh mint leaves or a sprinkle of extra cinnamon can also enhance its visual appeal and add a fresh twist to the flavors.
Base Dough:
- 90g cold butter
- 125g ultra-fine flour
- A pinch of salt
- 4 tablespoons ice water
Streusel Topping:
- 100g very cold butter
- 80g brown or white sugar
- 180g flour
Filling:
- 5 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of ground ginger
- A dash of vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).
- For the filling, mix apples with lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla. Set aside.
- For the base, combine cold butter, flour, and salt in a bowl. Chill, then add ice water and gently combine. Chill again.
- For the streusel, pulse butter, sugar, and flour in a food processor until crumbly. Freeze until ready to use.
- Roll out the base dough and fit into a tart pan. Add the apple mixture and sprinkle with the frozen streusel.
- Bake for 40 minutes, covering with foil if the topping browns too quickly.
- Cool before demolding. Warm before serving if desired.
Enjoy the delightful combination of textures and flavors in this Dutch-Inspired Apple Streusel, a recipe that brings a piece of European baking tradition into your home. Whether served warm or at room temperature, it promises to be a memorable treat for all who taste it.
