Welp, we had our first snow here in Chicago…not ready for this. Albeit it was flurries and wet and didn’t stick ( and back in the 50s this weekend), but just a cruel reminder of what’s to come for what’s going to be a long dark winter for many more reasons than the cold. Sorry that was ominous, but I have a not ominous and extremely delicious recipe to wipe those winter blues (and any other blues) away. My apple cider crumb coffee cake!
Just days away from a pivotal election, the pandemic rages on, our first taste of winter…has been a heavy burden on a lot of our minds. I say this often, you can feel all the feels, the good, the bad and everything in-between. So, a little cake therapy here we come. That’s right, I have my degree cake therapy. Studying for that was delicious! 😉 Any who, time to warm your bellies and your hearts with some apple spice and everything nice crumb coffee cake. I don’t know about you, but a crumb topping on anything makes everything better!
It’s a couple different components, but nothing we can’t handle (and we have all shown we can handle a lot), just the batter, filling and of course the aforementioned crumb topping. One pan and about an hour of cook time that fills your house with the most comforting delicious smells that alone will elicit good thoughts, warmth and a grumble in your tummy in anticipation. And as I always, or I have said at least a couple times, anticipation is the key to happiness!
Apple butter, brown sugar and cinnamon filling sandwiched in-between batter layers. Not too shabby!
Top batter layer then topped with that delectable crumb topping!
I mean, butter, cinnamon, sugar, King Arthur Jammy Bits…it’s not even a question how good a crumb topping is!
Fresh out of the oven and all golden brown and delicious. Refrain yourself and don’t pick all the topping off before it’s cooled!
Mmm, caramelized sugar and apple butter crust!
Tender crumb, apple butter filling swirled in, crumb top calling your name…eat me, eat me. An you will and you will enjoy it!
Elicit happiness with me this weekend. This baby is perfect any time of the day and with any beverage of choice (pairs well with a nice cab 😊) Fill your heart and your home with anticipation and bake my Apple Cider Crumb Coffee Cake. Your heart, home and belly will thank you.
Happy Weekending & Apple Cider Crumbing It!
Diane
- For the Crumb Topping:
- 6 tbsp. cold cubed butter
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- pinch of mace (can sub nutmeg)
- ¼ cup King Arthur Flour's Apple Jammy Bits
- Filling:
- ⅓ cup apple butter
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 tbsp. melted butter
- ½ tsp. salt
- 3 tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 tsp. flour
- For the Cake:
- 2.5 cups AP flour
- 3 tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1½ tsp. cinnamon
- ½ tsp. cardamom
- ¼ tsp. nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp. allspice
- 1 stick unsalted butter - room temp
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk
- ¼ cup apple butter
- ½ cup whole milk room temp
- ¼ cup of King Arthur's boiled apple cider
- ¼ cup almond oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- For the Crumble:
- Combine the flour, sugar, spices and cubed butter in a medium bowl. Using a pastry cutter or your hands combine until the flour is incorporated and small clumps form. Pop in the fridge while you prepare the other components.
- For the Filling:
- In small bowl add all the filling ingredients and mix to combine. Set aside.
- For the Cake:
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 inch spring form pan with non-stick cooking or baking spray and line with a parchment round. Lightly spray again and set aside.
- In a large bowl add all of the dry ingredients and whisk to combine.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugars until lighter and fluffy, around 4-5 minutes. Next add the apple butter and mix to combine. Add the egg and mix and then the yolk and beat to incorporate.
- Mix the milk, vanilla extract and boiled apple cider in a measure cup and set aside.
- Add half of the dry ingredients to the stand mixer and beat until just incorporated. Add the milk, boiled apple cider mixture and beat to combine. Next add the rest of the dry ingredients and mix until no flour bits remain, scraping down side and bottom of the bowl.
- Last add the the almond oil and mix until fully incorporated.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and even out with off-set spatula or knife. Pour the filling over the top of the batter and gently spread out to cover the first layer of batter.
- Pour the second half of the batter over the filling and gently spread out with off-set spatula to cover filling. Sprinkle all of the crumb topping evenly over the top of the batter.
- Place pan on baking sheet. Bake in the middle rack for 50 to 60 minutes rotating halfway through. Towards the end of the bake time if the crumb top is getting too dark, gently place a sheet of foil over the top.
- Remove from oven when cake tester or toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely on wire rack. Once cooled remove sides of spring-form pan and gently slide off the bottom of pan onto your serving platter (parchment paper should easily slide out from under once on platter). Serve warm or room temp.
- Store leftovers in airtight container at room temp for 3 days, in the fridge for 5 or wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Enjoy!
Hello my name is Kate and am anxious to make this recipe. Just a couple of questions,, (1) is the almond oil a special oil and where can I purchase it? (2) what can I use as a substitute for apple jammies since King Arthur is all sold out?
Hi Kate!
Glad you want to make this, you won’t regret it! I bought the almond oil at Plum Market and you can also find at Whole Foods. You can also purchase sweet almond oil on Amazon. For the jammy bits, stinks that King Arthur is sold out! I haven’t tried this but I would substitute with gently dried apples (still soft, not freeze dried). You can get those on Amazon as well. Just chop them up into bits and mix in with the crumble. Will give it that tang of apple and added texture. Let me know how it turns out!!