Culinary nostalgia at its finest. Grandma’s Apple Dessert Recipe is destined to become a favorite at your house, too.
Back when I was in high school, I started a monthly cooking club with four of my closest friends. Though our main mission at first was to come together and have fun, soon enough, news spread, and we grew to a group of 18 food enthusiasts. As you can imagine, using one of our modest home kitchens was no longer an option, so we decided to remedy that by continuing our culinary adventures at the ample facilities of our local soup kitchen. After a morning of cooking, not only had we bonded and learned new recipes, but our lovingly prepared dishes were gratefully enjoyed by a group of wonderful people.
Each time, we would come up with a six-course menu based on dishes that were dear to us or had an interesting story. Some of the recipes I contributed were my mother’s lentil soup, my Italian neighbor Miriam’s walnut and arugula pesto, my father’s banana cake, and our Greek friend Spiros’ spanakopita. With every recipe, we would share a story about its background and what made it special. This alone added incredible value to our cooking sessions and left us with a profound sense of gratitude.
One dish I still make to this day is my friend Stacey’s (or should I say, her grandmother’s) apple platz. This German Mennonite cake recipe has been in her family for generations, always appearing at special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and even Thanksgiving and Christmas.
What I love about it is both its ease and rustic charm. This isn’t the type of cake that demands culinary prowess or fancy ingredients. A sweet, buttery crust strewn with a layer of apples and crowned with a crisp topping is pretty much the essence of it. But don’t let its simplicity fool you. Sit down to a warm slice topped with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream, and be prepared to swoon. As for me, it’ll always be a powerful reminder of the way food has a soul and can create some of the most meaningful connections.
Make it your own
There’s so much to love about this special recipe, and part of that is definitely its versatility. These days, I make a vegan version by replacing the animal products with plant-based butter, soy milk, and a flax egg. In case you’re wondering, a flax egg is a mixture of one tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with three tablespoons of water. After 10 minutes, this will thicken and can be used to replace one egg. I’ve also added finely chopped nuts to the crumb topping and even changed the fruit. Rhubarb and strawberries in spring; peaches, raspberries, and blueberries in summer; plums and figs in autumn; and pears and persimmons in winter.
To add an extra layer of flavor to both the crust and the topping, stir in fragrant spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg. A dash of vanilla or almond extract will also enhance its taste.
How do I store leftovers?
Once cooled, leftovers can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. The platz is delicious both warm and cold. You can also transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Bear in mind that the crumb topping will lose some of its crispness. It will taste delicious nonetheless.
Serving suggestions
Though I love this special dessert with nothing more than a scoop of cinnamon ice cream, you can also serve it with some cold, creamy Custard or even a decadent drizzle of Salted Caramel Sauce. For something a little different, skip the fresh fruit layer and try this zesty Berry Compote instead.
Ingredients
For The Crust And Apple Layer:
- 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter at room temperature
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 egg
- 2 small apples cored, peeled, and sliced
For The Crumb Topping:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 cup butter at room temperature
Instructions
To Make The Crust And Apple Layer:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Mix the flours, salt, baking powder, and sugar in a large bowl.
- Rub in the butter using your fingertips until you have fine crumbs.
- Whisk the milk and the egg in a measuring cup.
- Pour the egg and milk mixture into the crumbs and mix until a dough forms.
- Roll the dough out on a floured counter to a rectangle large enough to fit the pan. Press the dough into the prepared pan.
- Spread the sliced apples evenly over the crust.
To Make The Crumb Topping:
- Mix the sugar and flours. Rub in the butter with your fingertips to make coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the crumbs evenly over the apples. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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