Imagine sinking your fork into a slice of pure autumnal bliss, where golden-brown butter meets tender apples and rich caramel in a dessert that will make your taste buds dance with joy! This Brown Butter Caramel Apple Crumb Cake isn't just a recipe—it's a warm hug on a crisp fall day, promising to transform your kitchen into a haven of irresistible aromas and decadent flavors that will have everyone begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 cups diced apples
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar for crumb topping
- 1/2 cup oats for crumb topping
Instructions
- Brown the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat, swirling occasionally until it turns golden amber and develops a nutty aroma. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan with butter or line with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cooled brown butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Gently fold in the diced apples, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour half the batter into the prepared pan, then drizzle half the caramel sauce over the batter.
- For the crumb topping, mix brown sugar, oats, and a small amount of flour in a bowl. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Drizzle remaining caramel sauce over the top before serving.
- Slice into 8 servings and serve warm. Can be stored at room temperature, covered, for up to 3 days.
Tips
- Use a light-colored saucepan when browning butter to easily monitor the color and prevent burning.
- Ensure your butter is cooled slightly before mixing to prevent scrambling the eggs.
- Dice apples uniformly for even distribution and consistent baking.
- Don't overmix the batter - stop mixing as soon as dry ingredients are incorporated to keep the cake tender.
- Test doneness with a toothpick - it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes to help it set and make cutting easier.
- For extra caramel flavor, use a high-quality store-bought caramel sauce or make your own from scratch.
- Serve warm for the most indulgent experience, preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 110mg
