Dutch-style apple cake marries the light, fluffy crumb of an old-fashioned coffee cake with the comforting flavors of cinnamon-kissed apples. Thought to have crossed the Atlantic with early Dutch settlers, the formula is simple: a tender batter bound with shortening, a strata of thinly-sliced tart apples, and a quick streusel that bakes into a crackly crust. Home bakers prized it for pantry-staple ingredients and its ability to go from mixing bowl to table in under an hour, ideal for afternoon “koffietijd,” school lunches, or a last-minute dessert when company called. The result is a golden, buttery square that’s just sweet enough to let the fruit shine and sturdy enough to travel well in picnic baskets or lunch pails.
Ingredients
Batter:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
- 3 tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp salt
- 6 tbsp shortening (or unsalted butter)
- 1 egg (well beaten)
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup granulated sugar
Streusel & Finish:
- 2 cups apples (peeled, thinly sliced, tart)
- 1 ½ tbsp butter (melted)
- 4 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
- Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
Step 3: Cut in Shortening
- Using a pastry blender or fingers, work shortening into the dry mix until fine, pea-sized crumbs form.
Step 4: Add Wet Mixture
- In a separate bowl beat egg, milk, and sugar until blended. Pour into flour mixture; stir just until a thick batter forms.
Step 5: Fill Pan
- Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan.
Step 6: Arrange Apples
- Overlap apple slices over the surface, pressing lightly so they adhere.
Step 7: Butter & Streusel
- Brush apples with melted butter. In a small cup combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon; sprinkle evenly over apples.
Step 8: Bake
- Bake 35–40 minutes until apples are tender and a toothpick in the cake comes out clean.
Step 9: Cool & Serve
- Cool in pan 15 minutes; serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Add thinly sliced apples between batter and topping for a more pronounced “apple cake.”
- Mix in a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for deeper warm-spice flavor.
- Swap shortening for unsalted butter for richer taste.
- Add 1 tsp vanilla to the batter for aroma and depth.
- Replace part of the milk with buttermilk for a tender crumb.
- Use brown sugar instead of white sugar in the topping for a caramel-like crust.
- Add chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) to the topping for crunch.
- Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Bake in a cast-iron skillet for extra browning and rustic texture.
- Double the topping mixture for an extra-sweet crust.
Nutrition
Calories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 3.5gFat: 8.5gSaturated Fat: 3.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 1.2mg
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