French Apple Crumb Cake

Ingredients

• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest from 1 medium orange
• 8 tablespoons (4 ounces/ 113 grams) salted butter
• 2 1/2 pounds of apples that are peeled, cored, and chopped into bite-size chunks (6 medium apples/ 7 cups chopped)
• 2/3 cup + 2 tablespoons (158 grams) granulated sugar, divided
• 1 teaspoon table salt, divided
• 2/3 cup (80 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 10 tablespoons (5 ounces/ 141 grams) salted butter
• 2/3 cup (142 grams) light or dark dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup (66 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp (225 grams) cake flour
• Powdered (confectioners) sugar, optional, for sprinkling

Instructions

1. 1

   Put the cloves and orange zest in a...: Put the cloves and orange zest in a small bowl; set the bowl near the stovetop.

2. 2

   Cut 8 tablespoons (4 ounces/ 113 grams)of butter...: Cut 8 tablespoons (4 ounces/ 113 grams)of butter into chunks and put it in a 12-inch skillet. Set the skillet over medium heat and, stirring constantly, cook until the butter is melted and begins to boil.

3. 3

   Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the butter...: Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the butter turns a rich golden brown color. As you stir, pay attention to the color of the butter underneath the foam. The butter will take approximately 3-5 minutes to brown. When it's done, the butter beneath the foam will be golden brown with dark brown specks on the bottom of the pan and will smell nutty. It will look a bit like a dark, foamy beer. Once browned, pour the butter into the bowl with the cloves and orange zest and let it cool to room temperature. (See photos above for reference.)

4. 4

   DO NOT WASH OUT THE SKILLET. If there...: DO NOT WASH OUT THE SKILLET. If there are a lot of brown milk solids in the bottom of the skillet, scrape those into the bowl, but it’s important that the skillet is slicked with butter to prevent the apples from sticking while they cook.

5. 5

   Add the chopped apples, 2 tablespoons (25 grams)...: Add the chopped apples, 2 tablespoons (25 grams) of the granulated sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt to the skillet and set it over medium-high heat. Cook the apples, stirring every once in a while, until the apples are just beginning to brown. This will take about 15 minutes.

6. 6

   Spread the apples out on a plate and...: Spread the apples out on a plate and put them in the refrigerator until they are cooled to room temperature.

7. 7

   Cut the butter into chunks and put it...: Cut the butter into chunks and put it in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave until melted. Alternatively, melt the butter in a small saucepan set over low heat.

8. 8

   Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and...: Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt to a medium size bowl and stir to combine. Pour in the melted butter and stir until combined.

9. 9

   Add the flour and use your hands to...: Add the flour and use your hands to mix until completely incorporated. Cover and set aside.

10. 10

    Heat the oven to 375° F (190° C).

11. 11

    Prepare a 9-inch springform pan: Coat the inside...: Prepare a 9-inch springform pan: Coat the inside of the pan with a thin layer of vegetable shortening or butter. Cover the bottom of the pan with a piece of parchment paper that’s been cut to fit. Smear the parchment paper with vegetable shortening or butter. Shake some all-purpose flour around in the pan until the inside of the pan is completely coated. Shake out excess flour. (More about how to prepare a cake pan so the cake will not stick.)

12. 12

    Add the all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt,...: Add the all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and the baking powder to a small bowl and stir with a wire whisk to combine.

13. 13

    Add the eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract (if...: Add the eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and the remaining 2/3 cup (133 grams) granulated sugar to a larger bowl. Beat with a wire whisk to combine.

14. 14

    Slowly whisk in the browned butter.

15. 15

    Add the flour mixture to the batter and...: Add the flour mixture to the batter and stir just until barely combined. Stir in the apples.

16. 16

    Spread the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing...: Spread the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it out into an even layer. Add the crumb topping over the batter, squeezing the topping together in your hand to create some large pieces.

17. 17

    Bake in the center of the oven for...: Bake in the center of the oven for 50-60 minutes. When done, the top of the cake will be set and golden brown, and the cake will be starting to pull away from the sides of the pan. If you insert a toothpick into the center of the cake it will come out without any signs of raw batter. (See note below)

18. 18

    Allow the cake to cool in the pan...: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 30 minutes then gently run a knife around the outside of the cake to separate it from the sides of the cake pan. Gently release and remove the side of the pan and allow it to cool completely.

19. 19

    Sprinkle the cake with some powdered (confectioners) sugar...: Sprinkle the cake with some powdered (confectioners) sugar if you like, then slice and serve.