Keep things cosy (and easy) with this simple apple cake with an ‘irresistible’ crispy topping

Name: Keep things cosy (and easy) with this simple apple cake with an ‘irresistible’ crispy topping
Cook time: 1 h
Yield: 6-8
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Ingredients: 2 small apples (Granny Smith or Pink Lady, ideally one of each), peeled, quartered and cored; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 120g caster sugar; finely grated zest of 1 lemon; 100g unsalted butter, melted; 2 large eggs; 100ml milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 150g plain flour; 1½ tsp baking power; ¼ tsp fine sea salt

Helen Goh

June 13, 2025

Simple apple cake with maple oat crisp is delicious eaten as is or warm with ice-cream.William Meppem

easyTime:30 mins - 1 hourServes:6-8

This simple apple cake is all about comfort and ease, perfect for when you crave something that’s cosy but fuss-free. The apple slices are layered on top of a vanilla butter cake, while the star of the show is the oat and maple topping, which turns irresistibly golden and crunchy. Serve the cake on its own or warm as a dessert with ice-cream.

Ingredients

2 small apples (Granny Smith or Pink Lady, ideally one of each), peeled, quartered and cored
1 tsp ground cinnamon
120g caster sugar
finely grated zest of 1 lemon
100g unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
100ml milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
150g plain flour
1½ tsp baking power
¼ tsp fine sea salt

FOR THE MAPLE OAT TOPPING

50g light brown sugar
75g rolled oats
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp flaky sea salt
50g unsalted butter, melted
1 tbsp maple (or golden) syrup
pouring cream, to serve

Method

Step 1
Line the base and sides of a 20cm round, spring-form cake tin with baking paper, then preheat the oven to 175C fan-forced (195C conventional).
Step 2
Make the topping first, by combining the brown sugar, oats, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Toss together, then add the butter and maple syrup. Stir until it’s the consistency of wet sand, then set aside.
Step 3
Slice the quartered apples into 1cm wedges and combine in a medium bowl with the cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Toss gently then set aside.
Step 4
Place the remaining sugar in a medium mixing bowl, add the lemon zest and rub together firmly for a couple of minutes to release the citrus oils. Now add the melted butter and eggs, using a hand whisk to beat until smooth. Add the milk and vanilla extract and continue to whisk until fully combined.
Step 5
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt directly into the wet mix. Still using the hand whisk, stir gently until the batter is just smooth (don’t overmix), then scrape into the prepared cake tin. Use a small spatula to even the surface, then arrange the apple slices, just slightly overlapping, in a concentric circle to cover the top.
Step 6
Scatter the topping mixture evenly over the apples, then bake for about 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool, then release the cake from the tin and place on a serving plate. Serve with cream on the side.