This Summer Apple Cake boasts of a sweet, aromatic filling wrapped in a soft, shortbread-like crust. It's a pure delight for the warmer evenings when served with a scoop of fresh cream.
There is a passage in Sarah McColl's novel, Joy Enough, where she writes, "There is one way to slow a story as it speeds toward its inevitable end, and that is to linger in the scene." Ever since I've read that, it has stayed with me in the back of my mind. It's sagacious advice for all aspects of life.
In fact, yesterday afternoon saw me in the kitchen testing new recipes and photographing back-to-back posts (today's included). It was hectic, slightly overwhelming, but beautiful. I was in my element and reveling in the thrill of it.
By the end of the day, we had a good feast to show for it. Now, I understand why my mother loves what she does. It's one thing to sit down to a homecooked meal, it's another experience entirely to be the one preparing that meal. To sit at the table and observe the ones you love around you, delighting in the meal you've just prepared- to say it's heartwarming would be an understatement.
Let's just say, it's a scene I wouldn't mind lingering in every day for the rest of my life.
That brings us to today's recipe- Summer Apple Cake.
Is there anything more satisfying than a slice of apple cake on a summer's evening? I don't think so either.
This dessert is a cross between a cake and pie. While it's wrapped in a sweet crust, it's baked in a springform pan and the crust itself is more shortbread-style.
The center is filled with hearty, crisp apples and raisins for a taste of the season. It's absolute heaven, to say the least.
The trick is allowing the filling sit for at least an hour. You want the apples to sit, immersed in their own juice while the raisins plump up and absorb the sweet vanilla and spices of the fruit as well.
Next, you'll line a springform pan from top to bottom in the pastry dough. Then cover the cake with a lattice topping. (Tip: if you have any dough leftover, reshape, and cut out cookies from it. Pastry cookies are one of my favorites and perfect for dunking in coffee or tea!)
Summer Apple Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 cake 1x
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups AP flour
- 1/2 cup plain sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1-2 tablespoons of cold water
For the filling:
- 5 - 6 honey crisp apples, peeled, cored, and cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup plain sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss together apples, raisins, lemon juice, vanilla, and cinnamon. Let the mix steep in the refrigerator while you prepare your dough.
- In a separate bowl, sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter and use a pastry blender to combine until the mixture is crumbly. Add the egg and mix with your hands until a dough begins to form. If the dough feels try and is not completely staying together, add 1 tablespoon COLD water until the dough is fully formed and firm.
- Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and butter a 9-inch spring form pan. Set aside.
- On a well-floured surface, divide the dough into thirds. Roll out 1/3 of the dough to ¼-inch thickness, and line the bottom of the pan. Next, roll out another 1/3 of the dough and line the sides of the pan, pressing along the bottom rim to seal.
- Drain the the apple filling and fill the pastry-lined pan. Roll out the final 1/3 of the remaining dough and use a pastry cutter or knife to make long strips for your lattice topping. Crisscross the strips on top of the filling. Bake until golden brown for about 1 hour.
Notes
Prep Time does NOT include Inactive Prep Time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 pieces of cake
And just like that, you have a beautiful dessert on your hands.
I'm so excited about today's recipe and hope you give it a try soon.
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Enjoy with love!
2
Fabby says
Thank you for your recipe, this pie looks awesome. I love pies and apple even more so.
Blessings.
Fabby
angiesrecipes says
The apple pie looks fantastic! Apple cake or pie is for me a great treat all year round.
Cristina Petrini says
Any kind of apple pie drives me crazy, I try all the recipes I find! I will try this too!
DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, This is a new one for us! A cross-over apple cake-pie with raisins. Can't miss with this one and the crust sounds delectable too... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Natalie says
Looks amazing. Can't wait to give this cake a try. My family will enjoy this.
Sondra Barker says
This looks delish! I'm going to keep this recipe to try out
Arya says
Love a homemade apple pie! Perfect for summer picnics!
Alexandra Cook says
I love this recipe so much! Every single ingredient sounds amazing, I’ll definitely be adding this to my list of things to try!
Lisa says
This summer apple cake looks divine! My partner's a big fan of fruit cake and pies, so he'll really enjoy this!
Yeah Lifestyle says
As you say, apple cake is perfect on a summer evening and I'd love a slice of your apple cake right now!
Courtney says
Omg can we say yum!? I just love all things apple. Must give your recipe a try
Jasmine Hewitt says
i usually dont bake a lot in the summer, it's just too hot. but this looks good!
Wren says
This looks absolutely amazing! I love trying new apple stuff. I doubt I could get it to look as amazing as your photos, but I anticipate it will still taste amazing! 🙂
Joyce says
Oh wow! I've never tasted apple pie baked like this in my entire life. I'm not if I can try this at home as I'm not a huge fan of baking but I'm taking your recipe just in case my sister visits I'll let her make one for me 😉
Kalyan Panja says
Oh wow, this summer apple cake looks like a gastronomic beauty. One more reason to not leave my dessert addiction.
Myrah Duque says
I'm not a fan of apples, but like you made this apple pie, I would definitely eat it!
Elaine Benoit says
This apple cake looks so delicious. I love how high it is and how moist it is! I bet this would go perfect at my next dinner party!
Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli says
This is a beautiful cake, and one that reminds me of our beloved crostata. I love the filling, juicy sweet apples and plump raisins are a match made in heaven, Plus, a shortcrust pastry. Perfect!
Aleta says
You had me at 'shortbread crust'.. seriously, so excited about this summer apple cake! I love the simple ingredients but I best is has an addicting sort of flavour!
Emily says
This looks like the perfect recipe to try out this summer! I’d love to give this a go!
Anna says
Apple pie is my favourite thing in the world! I will happily eat it all year around! Your version looks delicious, and that pastry looks so buttery and flaky I just want to dive in!
Denise says
What a gorgeous dessert, I love that shortbread crust! My Gram always put raisins in her apple pie.
Vanessa says
It definitely looks enticing! I love the shortbread crust idea, and I bet the raisins add a wonderful flavor that makes this more unique than a regular pie!
Amanda Mason says
This looks absolutely amazing!! I loved your story about your mom - I'm the same way. I love preparing meals and desserts like this for family and friends to enjoy. I love that you used a spring pan!! Genius! I'm so making this!
Kathryn says
This sounds delicious and would be so perfect for late summer and fall entertaining!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
Nothing feels like summer quite like a good apple dessert! Your cake sounds so delicious, and I love the raisin twist!
Saima says
Apple pie served with vanilla ice cream sounds like the perfect dessert for a summer evening! All those crisp apples and raisins inside...I’m drooling!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
Wow!! Sounds like a busy day!! Somehow, I know that if it was me, I would only have the time to make this cake. I always drag out my baking!!
But this looks so good. The shortbread crust is genius!!