Rustic Apple Cake with Crispy Oat and Butter Crumble

This rustic apple cake combines the sweet, spiced flavors of apples with the crunch of a buttery oat crumble, creating a dessert that’s both comforting and deliciously satisfying. A base of tender, buttery dough cradles a rich apple filling, enhanced by a touch of vanilla and crunchy almonds. The topping—a mix of oats, brown sugar, and cold butter—bakes into a perfectly crisp layer that contrasts beautifully with the soft, juicy apples underneath. This apple cake is sure to become your go-to for autumnal baking, offering a mix of warmth and texture that feels like a hug on a chilly day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this apple cake for its balance of flavors and textures. The smooth vanilla apple filling, combined with the crisp oat crumble, gives each bite a delightful contrast of softness and crunch. The blanched almonds add a subtle nutty flavor, elevating the dessert from a simple fruit cake to something more refined. Whether you’re an experienced baker or new to the kitchen, this recipe is easy to follow and results in a cake that’s both visually appealing and irresistible to taste. It’s a dessert that feels homemade in the best way, offering a sense of nostalgia while delivering big on flavor.

Perfect Occasion to Make This Recipe

This apple cake is perfect for any occasion that calls for comfort and coziness. Bake it for family gatherings, fall celebrations, or weekend treats. It’s also a great addition to potlucks or brunches, where its homey flavors and rustic appearance are sure to impress. If you have guests staying overnight, make it a day in advance—it actually becomes easier to slice and serve the next day after it has had time to firm up. Pair it with a cup of tea or coffee for an afternoon snack, or serve it as dessert after a hearty meal to end on a sweet note.

Decoration Tips

For a rustic yet elegant look, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar just before serving. This will highlight the golden crumble and give the cake a touch of visual appeal. You can also garnish each slice with a few toasted almond slices or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an added layer of indulgence. If you want to elevate the presentation further, serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The contrast between the warm cake and the cold cream will make the dessert even more irresistible.

Ingredients:

For the apple filling:

• 500 ml clear apple juice
• 1 1/2 packs vanilla pudding powder (60 g)
• 90 g granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar (20 g)
• 6 apples (about 800 g), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 50 g sliced, blanched almonds

For the base:

• 125 g cold butter
• 80 g sugar
• 200 g flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar
• 1/2 pack baking powder

For the oat crumble:

• 100 g cold butter
• 100 g flour
• 70 g rolled oats
• 70 g brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar

Method:

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 190°C (top and bottom heat). Prepare a 26 cm springform pan by lining the bottom with baking paper and buttering the sides to ensure easy removal later.
2. Make the apple filling: In a saucepan, mix the apple juice, vanilla pudding powder, granulated sugar, and vanilla sugar. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a pudding-like consistency. Once thickened, set it aside to cool slightly.Peel, core, and slice your apples thinly, then transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Add the cooked pudding mixture and 50 g of sliced almonds to the apples, stirring everything together gently until the apples are fully coated. Allow the filling to cool while you prepare the base.
3. Prepare the base: In a large bowl, combine the cold butter, sugar, flour, vanilla sugar, and baking powder. Using your hands or a pastry cutter, knead the ingredients together until you have a smooth dough. Press this dough into the prepared springform pan, making sure to push it up the sides of the pan about halfway to create a sturdy base. Prick the dough several times with a fork to prevent air pockets during baking.
4. Assemble the cake: Pour the cooled apple filling into the dough-lined pan, spreading it evenly.
5. Make the oat crumble topping: In a separate bowl, combine the cold butter, flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and vanilla sugar. Knead the ingredients together until they form a crumbly texture. Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the top of the apple filling.
6. Bake the cake: Place the cake in the preheated oven on the middle rack and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and crisp. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely. For best results, let the cake sit overnight to firm up, making it easier to slice.

Enjoy!