Ingredients:
• 1 tbsp plus 1/2 cup butter, softened 3 cups golden delicious apples (about 2.5), peeled, cored, quartered and sliced crosswise
• 1-3/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 6 oz cream cheese, room temp
• 1-1/2 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temp
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• grated zest of 1 lemon
•
• CRUMB TOPPING
• 3/4 c. flour
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1/4 tsp cinnaomn
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
Method:
1. Heat oven to 350. Lightly butter 9in sq. pan and dust with flour, knocking out excess. 2. Melt 1 tbsp butter in medium-size skillet. Add apple slices and saute over med-high heat for 2 minutes, stirring often, until tender-firm. Move slices to plate and set them aside to cool. 3. Sift lour, baking powder, and salt into medium bowl; set aside. With electric mixer, cream remaining butter and cream cheese in a large bowl. Gradually add in sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. Add in eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour, a third at a time, blending well after each addition. Add te vanilla extract and lemon zest. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it with a spoon. 4. To make the topping, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub it into the dry ingredients until you have uniform butter crumbs. Sprinkle half of the crumbs over the batter, then layer with the apple slices. Top with the remaining crumbs. 5. Bake the cake on the center rack for 50-60 minutes. When done, the cake will pull away from the sides and the top will be golden brown. Transfer the cake to a rack and cool completely in the pan. Slice and serve.
