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Mary Berry Dutch Apple Cake Recipe

Mary Berry Dutch Apple Cake
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Mary Berry’s Dutch Apple Cake is a traditional apple cake topped with a buttery crumble. Unlike apple pies or deep crumbles, the fruit sits on a soft sponge base and is finished with a light, sandy topping that turns golden as it bakes. The result is part cake, part crumble, and very easy to serve.

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter – 175 g, softened

  • Caster sugar – 175 g

  • Large eggs – 3

  • Self-raising flour – 175 g

  • Baking powder – 1 tsp

  • Milk – 2 tbsp

For the apple layer

  • Cooking apples – 3 medium (about 450 g), peeled, cored, and sliced

  • Ground cinnamon – 1 tsp

  • Lemon juice – 1 tbsp

For the crumble topping

  • Plain flour – 75 g

  • Butter – 50 g, cold and cubed

  • Light brown sugar – 50 g

Instructions

  • Prepare the tin – Grease the cake tin thoroughly and line the base with parchment. Preheat the oven so the temperature is stable before baking.

  • Make the sponge base – Beat the softened butter and caster sugar until pale and fluffy. This step builds air into the mixture for a lighter crumb.

  • Add the eggs gradually – Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to keep the batter smooth and prevent curdling.

  • Incorporate dry ingredients – Sift in the self-raising flour and baking powder, then fold gently with the milk until just combined. Avoid overmixing.

  • Prepare the apples – Toss the sliced apples with lemon juice and cinnamon so they stay bright and evenly flavoured.

  • Assemble the layers – Spread the sponge evenly in the tin, then arrange the apples on top in a single, even layer.

  • Make the crumble topping – Rub the cold butter into the flour until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs, then stir in the brown sugar.

  • Finish and bake – Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apples and bake until golden, firm on top, and a skewer inserted into the sponge comes out clean.

  • Cool before serving – Let the cake rest in the tin for 10 minutes, then cool on a rack so the layers set neatly.

Find it online: https://maryberrycooks.co.uk/mary-berry-dutch-apple-cake/