I’m thrilled to share with you my perfected recipe for Apple Slab Cake. This isn’t just any cake; it’s a delightful combination of moist, tender crumb and juicy apple pieces, all topped with a beautifully caramelized sugar crust. This cake embodies the essence of home baking – simple ingredients transformed into something truly special.
The concept of slab cakes has its roots in traditional European home baking, where practical, easily shareable desserts were favored for family gatherings and celebrations. This recipe takes that homey comfort and elevates it with a few special touches that make it truly extraordinary.
What sets this Apple Slab Cake apart is its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The cake batter, enriched with melted butter and flavored with vanilla and lemon zest, provides a tender base for the star of the show – the apples. The ingenious step of adding a sugar and butter topping in the final minutes of baking creates a deliciously crisp, caramelized crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake beneath.
As we dive into this recipe, I’ll guide you through each step, sharing insider tips and techniques I’ve honed over years of perfecting this dish. By the end, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to create an apple cake that will have your family and friends begging for the recipe.
Ingredients
For this scrumptious Apple Slab Cake that serves 12-16, you’ll need:
For the cake batter:
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- Pinch of salt
- 150g (5.3 oz or 3/4 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 150ml (5 fl oz or 3/4 cup) whole milk
- 100g (3.5 oz or 7 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 240g (8.5 oz or 2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 10g (0.35 oz or 2 teaspoons) baking powder
- 2 large apples (about 400g or 14 oz total), peeled and chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
For the topping:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 20g (1 tablespoon) unsalted butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan
Let’s start by setting up our baking environment:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (360°F). If you have a fan-forced oven, reduce the temperature to 160°C (320°F).
- Grease a 27×18 cm (10×7 inch) baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. This will make it easier to remove the cake later.
2. Prepare the Apples
Fresh, juicy apples are the star of this cake:
- Peel and core 2 large apples.
- Chop the apples into small, roughly 1 cm (1/2 inch) pieces.
- In a bowl, toss the chopped apples with the zest of 1 lemon and the juice of 1/2 lemon. This not only adds flavor but also prevents the apples from browning.
3. Make the Cake Batter
Now, let’s create our luscious cake batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, crack 3 eggs and add a pinch of salt.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually add 150g of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the mixture is pale and creamy. This process, known as “ribbon stage,” creates a light, airy texture in the final cake.
- In a separate bowl or jug, combine 150ml of milk and 100g of melted, cooled butter.
- Slowly pour this milk-butter mixture into the egg mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- In another bowl, sift together 240g of all-purpose flour and 10g of baking powder.
- Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula. Be gentle and mix just until no dry flour is visible. Overmixing at this stage can lead to a tough cake.
- Finally, gently fold in the prepared apple mixture. The batter will be quite thick, which is perfect for suspending the apple pieces throughout the cake.
4. Bake the Cake
Time to transform our batter into a delicious cake:
- Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
5. Add the Caramelized Topping
This final step elevates our cake from delicious to irresistible:
- Remove the cake from the oven and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar evenly over the top.
- Cut 20g of butter into small pieces and dot them over the sugar.
- Return the cake to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes. This creates a deliciously crisp, caramelized top layer.
6. Cool and Serve
Proper cooling ensures the best texture:
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Using the parchment paper overhang, carefully lift the cake out of the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cool, dust with powdered sugar if desired, then cut into squares and serve.
Nutrition Information
This Apple Slab Cake recipe yields approximately 12-16 servings. Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving (assuming 16 servings):
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 60mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 25g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 13g
- Protein: 3g
Please note that these values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve just created an Apple Slab Cake that’s sure to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. This cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a perfect balance of comforting flavors and textures that will make any occasion feel special.
What sets this Apple Slab Cake apart is the attention to detail in every component. The tender, vanilla-scented cake batter provides the perfect base for juicy apple pieces. The lemon zest and juice not only prevent the apples from browning but also add a bright note that balances the sweetness. And that final touch of sugar and butter on top? It creates a deliciously crisp, caramelized crust that takes this cake from good to extraordinary.
Remember, the key to a great slab cake lies in not overmixing the batter and in evenly distributing the apple pieces. This ensures a tender crumb and that every bite contains a perfect balance of cake and fruit.
This Apple Slab Cake is incredibly versatile. It’s perfect for a casual family dessert, but it’s also impressive enough to serve at a dinner party. It travels well, making it ideal for potlucks or bake sales. And if you’re feeling indulgent, try serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
As you enjoy a slice of this delightful cake, take a moment to appreciate the layers of flavor and texture you’ve created. The crisp, caramelized top gives way to a moist, tender crumb studded with juicy apple pieces. It’s a beautiful representation of the magic that can happen in your kitchen with simple, quality ingredients and a little bit of love.
So gather your loved ones, brew a pot of coffee or tea, and enjoy your homemade Apple Slab Cake. It’s not just a treat for the taste buds, but a warm, comforting reminder of the joys of home baking. Happy baking and even happier eating!
