Apple Crumble Loaf Cake | Baking

So originally, the plan was to bake the Apple Crumble Cupcakes that Zoella recently featured on her blog and YouTube channel. I had some granny smith apples in the pantry, so I thought I was all set. However, when it came to making the actual cake, I realised I'd had the last egg for brekkie. FAIL!

I'd already started cooking the apples, and had been thinking about this cake so I decided to hop on the internet and search through a few recipes. In the end, I ended up using this Italian Apple Cake recipe (which is originally vegan) as inspiration and also the crumble from Zoe's recipe to create this loaf cake! (N.B - because I used Zoe's recipe, the overall recipe is not vegan as it does contain butter)

Apple Crumble Loaf Cake

Ingredients:

Cake
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 water
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbs white or apple cider vinegar
2 large green apples

Crumble
1/4 cup caster sugar
30 grams butter, chilled
1/3 cup self-raising flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Method:
First, you'll need to preheat your oven to 180C/350F and grease a loaf tin.

Then start making the apple mixture. Peel, core and chop the apples into small cubes. Put them in a saucepan and add enough water so that they are covered. Let these simmer for 5-7 minutes till they are soft, drain the water and then set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients. Create a well and add all in all the wet ingredients. Mix with a large spoon until all ingredients are combined, being careful not to overmix. The batter will be very, very thick - almost like a cookie dough - don't worry as the apples will release moisture as the cakes bake. Now carefully fold in the cooled apple mix.

Spoon the mixture into the greased baking tin, using a spatula to pat it evenly into the tin.

It's not ready to go in the over just yet...

Next make the crumble topping!
In a large bowl, rub together the butter, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla until nice and crumbly, then stir in the sugar. Then sprinkle this crumble on top on the cake batter.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes - testing with a spatula to make sure it is cooked through. The crumble should be lovely and golden on top.

Once cooled, run a knife around the edges to loosen the cake, and gently unmold and voila!

I really enjoy experimenting in the kitchen and I love love love this little cake that I came up with. Try the recipe and be sure to let me know what you think! You may even like to put your own little spin on it :)

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