My baking inspiration often comes from unexpected places. Case in point: the Google cafes. Those talented chefs are constantly whipping up new and delicious creations, and I can’t resist the challenge of recreating them in mini-batch form.
This week’s obsession? Apple crumb cake.
Every day this week, I’ve indulged in a slice of the Google cafe’s apple crumb cake, carefully analyzing the flavors and textures. Back at home, I’ve been busy in my kitchen, tweaking and experimenting until I achieved the perfect mini-batch version.
(Full disclosure: I may have gone through four mini-batches this week. Oops! But hey, at least my freezer is stocked with deliciousness.)
The final result is a delightful combination of a classic New York-style crumb cake and a moist, flavorful apple cake. And it’s all thanks to the thick, buttery crumb topping inspired by the Cafe Nero butter cake. (If you’ve never had it, you’re missing out! It looks a lot like this cake from Sally’s Baking Addiction.)
The Mini-Batch Advantage:
This recipe makes just four servings, so you can enjoy a treat without the temptation of leftovers. It’s perfect for a small household or a solo dessert adventure.
Vegan-Friendly Goodness:
This crumb cake is completely vegan, made with wholesome ingredients. It’s a guilt-free way to indulge in your favorite fall flavors.
Google Cafe Meets Cafe Nero:
This recipe is a delicious mashup of two of my favorite coffee shop treats. It’s got the thick, buttery crumb topping of a Cafe Nero butter cake and the moist, flavorful apple cake base of a Google cafe creation.
This Mini-Batch Apple Crumb Cake is the perfect treat for any time of day. It’s great for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. So go ahead, give it a try! You won’t be disappointed.
PS. The cake here was inspired by this lovely creation. Also special thanks to this blog post for the assembly and baking part.
Mini-batch Apple Crumb Cake
Equipment
- Junior loaf pan or muffin pan
Ingredients
Cake batter / wet ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil or melted (plant) butter (14 g) df if desired
- 1 1/2 tbsp sugar (18 g)
- 1 1/2 tbsp (plant) milk or water (21 g)
- 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar sub white vinegar or lemon juice might work too
- 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
Cake batter / dry ingredients
- 1/4 cup flour (30 g) gf all purpose if desired
- 1/8 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp baking soda
- pinch of salt
Cake batter / mix-in
- 1/4 cup diced apple (about 30 g) sub other fruit or berries
Crumb topping
- 3 tbsp flour (21 g) gf all purpose if desired
- 1 tbsp brown/coconut sugar (12 g)
- 1/2 tbsp sugar (6 g) sub more brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp (plant) butter or oil (14 g) df if desired
Instructions
- To make the crumb layer, mix sugar, cinnamon and flour. Either pour in melted (plant) butter and stir to combine; or cut the chilled butter in with two forks (I sometimes use my hands and create butter flakes) until a coarse meal has formed. Chill crumb layer in the refrigerator while making your cake batter.
- Preheat oven to 350F and line your loaf pan with parchment.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk together the milk/water, oil, sugar, vinegar, vanilla.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir to combine. It's OK for a few small lumps to remain. Batter should be spreadable but not pourable like pancake batter, you can adjust with a little more milk or a little more flour.
- Fold in chopped apple without over-mixing. Spread your batter into loaf pan.
- Sprinkle with the crumb layer packing it down slightly.
- Bake about 25 minutes until a knife inserted comes out mostly clean. Muffins should take about 20-23 minutes.
- Cool completely, slice and enjoy!!
Notes
- To make a quick icing mix together 2 tbsp powdered sugar and 2 tsp maple syrup (15 g each) until smooth and drizzle on!
- Here are the 3.75 x 5 inch pans I like to use for my mini-batch bar recipes. You can use any small pan and slice differently, or use muffin tins and make 4 single-serving cups.
- You could add 1-2 tbsp chopped nuts to the crumb topping, it would be so good!
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