Apple Cranberry Crumb Cake (Torta Sbriciolata)

This Apple Cranberry Crumble cake celebrates a seasonal duo combination that’s revisited in the classic Torta Sbriciolata. It brings together tender apples and tart cranberries cradled inside a crumbly pastry crust, making it deliciously inviting.

What is a Sbriciolata

A Sbriciolata is Italy’s version of a crumble cake. A dessert that’s a cross between a cake and a crumbly tart or crostata.

Instead of a rolled crust, the dough is crumbled into a baking pan, then pressed and shaped together, creating a delicate, sandy texture that contrasts perfectly with soft, fruity fillings. 

The pastry dough comes together in mere minutes and is far less fussy than most traditional doughs, making it perfect for beginners. And, you can just as easily use other seasonal fillings to fill the sweet pastry dough.

The Perfect Fall and Winter Filling

If you’re new to Sbriciolata, this yummy treat is the perfect place to start.

The apples and cranberries, along with the sugars and flavourings, are simmered together until the apples soften but still hold their shape, and the ruby red cranberries add a pop of colour with a delightful tangy tartness. This duo creates a soft, jammy filling nestled between two layers of crumbly dough and baked to golden-brown perfection.

Now let’s get ready to bake!

Ingredients for Sbriciolata Filling and Crumble Pastry

• In this filling, sweet and tangy apples are combined with tart cranberries to create a beautiful balance of flavours, while a mix of white and brown sugars adds a subtle, rich caramel taste. A splash of lemon juice brightens the natural flavours, and a dash of cinnamon fills the room with a cozy, aromatic scent.
• Making the pastry dough is quite effortless when using a food processor. The pastry dough comes together with finely ground almonds and sugar, rendering a smooth and delicate richness. The flour, baking powder, salt and butter add a tender crumbly texture, while the eggs bind everything together. The lemon zest adds a little brightness to the crumble pastry dough.

How to Make Sbriciolata with Apples and Cranberries

We start by making the filling so that it has sufficient time to cool before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.

1- Place the peeled apples, cranberries, both sugars, cinnamon and lemon juice in a pan set on medium heat.

2- When the mixture starts to bubble, lower the heat and simmer for approximately 8 to 10 minutes or just until the apples soften and some of the cranberries burst, but not to a dehydrated mixture. You should have approximately 3 tablespoons of juice remaining. You can set it aside to cool while you prepare the pastry dough.

4- Place the sliced almonds and sugar in a food processor and pulse together until you have a fine texture.

3- In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.

5- Add the sifted flour mixture and butter to the nut and sugar mixture in the food processor and pulse until crumbly in texture.

6- Place in the whole egg, egg yolk and zest.

7- Pulse until the pastry dough comes together in large clumps, then transfer the dough onto a work surface to knead it into a cohesive ball.

8- Crumble 2/3 of the dough onto the bottom of a greased 9-inch round tart tin. Use your fingers to press the dough down and around the tart tin, moulding it to the shape of your baking tin.

9- Crush a few amaretti cookies over the base of the pastry dough. The amaretti not only adds flavour but also absorbs any excess juices from the apple and cranberry mixture, preventing a soggy bottom layer.

10- Top with the apple cranberry mixture and spread out evenly.

11- Crumble the remaining pastry dough over the apple cranberry filling.

12- Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for approximately 40 minutes. Then transfer the baked crumble cake onto a cooling rack and dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

If you’re already a fan of rustic Italian crumb cakes, you’ll want to bookmark this one because it has all the taste and flavours of the season in every blissful bite. 

Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner or simply craving something homemade and comforting, this cranberry apple crumble is sure to please family and friends. 

It’s a reminder that simple desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and a sprinkle of love, are often the most memorable!

Hoping this recipe brings a little warmth and comfort to your own kitchen as it does to mine. If you try it, leave a comment below and share your experience on how it turned out.

Happy Baking!