This crumble cake is easy to make and is under 420 calories per portion.
The crumble topping on this easy cake is a stroke of genius, if we do say so ourselves. There is a delicious fruity layer made up of apples, blueberries and blackberries and a soft but firm base that helps give structure to the cake once cut into slices or bars.
Ingredients
- 350g (12oz) self-raising flour
- 2tsp ground cinnamon
- 175g (6oz) unsalted butter, chilled and diced
- 150g (5oz) caster sugar
- 2 medium eggs, beaten
- 2 large apples, peeled cored and diced
- 150g (5oz) blueberries
- 150g (5oz) blackberries
- 3tbsp demerara sugar
- 75g (3oz) mixed chopped nuts
WEIGHT CONVERTER
Method
- Heat the oven to 190C (170C fan, Gas 5). Place a baking sheet in the oven to heat up. Grease a 20cm x 24cm (8in x 91/2in) cake tin and line with baking parchment, allowing the edges of the parchment to hang over the side.
- Sift the flour and cinnamon into a large bowl. Add the butter and rub into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Remove 175g (6oz) of the crumble mixture to another bowl and set aside.
- Stir the caster sugar and beaten eggs into the larger amount of crumble to make a soft and slightly sticky dough. Press evenly into the base of the cake tin using floured hands. Scatter over the diced apple and berries.
- Stir the demerara sugar and chopped nuts into the rest of the crumble mixture and spoon over the fruit, pressing down gently.
- Bake on the hot baking sheet for 35-45 mins until the cake is golden brown. Leave to cool in the tin for 20 mins, then remove by gently lifting the parchment. Serve warm or cold.
Top tips for making a crumble cake
If the topping is browning too fast in the oven, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
What is crumble cake made of?
Our crumble cake has many of the same ingredients that a sponge cake has. There is flour, sugar, butter and flour but instead of creaming the butter and sugar together. The butter is rubbed with the flour to create a topping that will crisp when baked. We have filled our cake with apples, blueberries and blackberries but you can swap for whatever is seasonal.
What causes crumbly cake?
The sponge of your cake may be crumbly and dry if it is overbaked. This can partly be saved by serving the cake with lashings of cream, ice cream and some fresh fruit. The flavours will work wonderfully together and will make up for the dry cake texture.
Can I freeze crumble cake?
Yes this cake can be frozen. Simply wrap tightly and freeze in portions. Defrost as and when you want it. The crumble topping will lose some of its initial crunch but you could reheat it to bring this back or simply serve with a little scattering of granola on top.
The recipe recommends a 20 x 24cm tin but you can use a 20cm square tin if that’s all you have. The layers will be a little thicker so the cooking time may need to increase slightly. You can then cut the cake into square portions instead of rectangles.
For some classic dessert inspiration you must try our apple crumble recipe. You might also like our rhubarb crumble when it’s in season or this peach crumble is perfect for summer months.
-
Apple CharlotteApple Charlotte is an easy autumn pudding and makes a lovely change from the more classic apple pie or apple crumble.
-
Espresso Martini chocolate potsWhizz these Espresso Martini chocolate pots up in 10 minutes for your dinner party – a perfect, lightly boozy dessert...
-
White chocolate passion fruit mousseEasy to make ahead, these deceptively light and low-carb white chocolate passion fruit mousse are a dream...
-
Gingerbread cuckoo clockA festive project that doubles as a decoration with the ultimate wow factor!
-
Air fryer French toast bitesIf you like French toast, you're going to love these air fryer French toast bites - the perfect weekend treat...
-
Air fryer fish tacosSay hello to these mouthwatering air fryer fish tacos ready and on the table in just 20 minutes...
-
4 ingredients and 15 minutes to make this classic British dessert in your air fryerYou can make bread and butter pudding in an air fryer using just four basic store cupboard ingredients, thanks to one TikTok influencer's recipe.
-
You probably already have the ingredients to make a lava cake in your air fryer - here's how to whip up this easy dessertYou could have yourself a delicious homemade dessert in just 10 minutes with this air fryer lava cake hack.
-
How to apply for The Great British Bake Off - including these money can’t buy tips from producersProducers are looking for keen bakers to apply to be a contestant on The Great British Bake Off.
