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–+ servings
apple cake with shortcrust and streusel

Shortcrust Apple Cake With Streusel

A Polish-inspired szarlotka featuring a buttery shortcrust base, tangy apple filling, and golden streusel topping. Warm, comforting, and perfect with tea, it’s a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
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Servings 8 slices

Ingredients
  

Dough

  • 1 batch Polkruche Dough

Topping

  • Double batche Streusel (Kurszonka)

Filling

  • 3 lb 5 oz apples peeled, cored, cut into 1" cubes
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 lemon (juice only)

Instructions
 

Making The Dough & Streusel

  • Prepare the polkruche dough and streusel according to cookbook instructions (pages 191 and 346). Chill both for at least an hour.

Filling

  • Put apples, sugar, and lemon juice in a large pot. Cover and simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, for 20 min or until apples soften. Set aside to cool for 30 min.
  • Preheat oven to 350℉ (180℃) with convection setting on. Line a 13 x 9 in [33 x 23 cm] baking dish with parchment paper.

Dough Preparation:

  • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface. Work into a rectangle, approximately. the size of the pan. Trim edges for a tidy rectangle. Gently lift and place into the pan. Press to fit all the way, right to the pan edges. Prick all over with a fork. Chill the dough for 20 minutes. Blind-bake for 15 minutes, or until it's no longer shiny, and just beginning to turn golden brown.
  • Once the base is blind-baked, remove it from the oven. Pour in all the apple filling and top with the streusel. Return it to the oven and bake for another 35 to 40 minutes, until the streusel is golden brown and the filling bubbles.
  • Allow to cool completely, then slice in squares and serve as is or with a dollop of whipped cream. If you like a delicious hot mess, don’t wait until it’s cool, just dig in right away. Store the cooled cake airtight at room temperature for 2 to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Notes

MAKES one 13 x 9 in [33 x 23 cm] cake (8 to 12 slices)
NON-TRADITIONAL VARIATION:
Add 1 cup [120 g] slivered almonds to the streusel to give this an extra dimension of crunch and nuttiness.
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