Apple Streusel Cake

Ingredients

• 7 tablespoons (99 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (107 grams) brown sugar, light or dark
• 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, OR 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 medium to large size apples (about 1 pound)
• 10 tablespoons (141 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) all purpose flour
• Pinch of cloves - or more if you like
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or 1/2 teaspoon table salt)
• 2 tablespoons (29 grams) milk

Instructions

1. 1

   Make the Streusel: Add 7 tablespoons room temperature...: Make the Streusel: Add 7 tablespoons room temperature butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 cup flour, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon into a medium size bowl. Use a rubber spatula or your fingers to mix everything together, working the dry ingredients into the butter, until the mixture is well combined and holds together when you squeeze it. Cover the bowl and refrigerate while you make the cake batter (or up to 3 days).

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 350°F. Smear the inside...: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Smear the inside of a 9-inch square baking pan with softened butter or vegetable shortening. Press a square of parchment paper onto the bottom of the pan and then smear the parchment with butter or shortening. If your pan isn't non-stick, shake some flour around inside the pan so the sides and bottom are coated with a thin layer of flour. If using a non-stick pan, flouring the pan is unnecessary.

3. 3

   Cut the apples into quarters, remove the core,...: Cut the apples into quarters, remove the core, and peel. Cut each quarter into 4 slices. Set aside.

4. 4

   Add 10 tablespoons room temperature unsalted butter and...: Add 10 tablespoons room temperature unsalted butter and 1/2 cup sugar to a bowl and use an electric mixer to beat on medium-high speed until lightened in color and aerated. This will take 3-4 minutes; stop a couple of times to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

5. 5

   Add the 2 eggs one at a time,...: Add the 2 eggs one at a time, beating on medium speed for 1-2 minutes after each egg is added to fully incorporate them into the butter and sugar. Add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and beat until well combined, about another minute.

6. 6

   In a separate bowl, add 1 1/2 cups...: In a separate bowl, add 1 1/2 cups of flour, a pinch of cloves, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 3/4 teaspoons of salt. Stir to mix then add to the butter mixture. Beat on low speed just until blended. Add 2 tablespoons milk and beat on low speed just until blended.

7. 7

   Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and...: Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top into an even layer. Lay the apple slices across the top of the cake batter. Crumble the streusel over the apple slices, squeezing it into clumps with your fingers as you do so.

8. 8

   Bake in the center of the oven for...: Bake in the center of the oven for 30-38 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out without any evidence of raw batter.

9. 9

   Allow the cake to cool completely inside the...: Allow the cake to cool completely inside the pan then slice and serve. The cake will keep at room temperature, covered loosely with plastic wrap, for 2-3 days.