This is an easy, no-bake stewed apple dessert made with butter cookies. It is delicious and perfect for using lots of apples.
This stewed apple dessert is the thing to do when you have lots of apples. In fall, for instance, when all the apple trees in the neighborhood are full of fruit. If you still have apples, try thisย Stewed Apple Cake; it is one of our favorite apple cakes.
I made thisย dessert about a month ago to take with us when visiting some friends. My son watched me cook the apples and saw all the biscuits lying around. He could hardly wait for us to get there so that he could have a piece of this cake.
He does love his apple cakes dearly. Some of his favorites are the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cake and the German Apple Cream Cake.
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Recipe ingredients
Any appleย will work for this recipe - even bruised, small, or misshaped ones, especially if you're using garden apples. Normally, Iโd recommend firmer apples for stewing, but here, go for slightly tart varieties if possible. Garden apples are perfect since sweet ones seem to only come from supermarkets.
- Try these Stewed Apples with Rhubarb, too.
Biscuits: Leibniz butter biscuits, Le Petite Beurre (the Amazon link opens in a new tab), or similar biscuits sold where you live. Use as many as needed to get three layers, more or less 7 oz/ 200 g. That would be one packet.
Pudding powder: I use vanilla pudding powder (the Amazon link opens in a new tab) to thicken the stewed apples. It is the kind of powder that needs to be cooked with milk.
- For this stewed apple dessert, you will not need any milk; you will mix the powder with the apples and cook them until the mixture thickens.
Substitution: The pudding powder is easily replaced with the same amount of cornstarch and vanilla extract. You will need โ cup/ 1.5 oz/ 40 g of cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make a dessert with stewed apples?
Prepare the stewed apples: Mix the peeled and grated apples with sugar, cinnamon, and apple juice. Let stand until they release more juices, about 30 minutes. Mix in the pudding powder, bring to a boil, and let it thicken, stirring often.
Assemble the dessert in a rectangular baking dish lined with plastic wrap. Arrange a layer of biscuits in the dish. Add half of the stewed apples and arrange another layer of cookies on top. Cover with the remaining apples and then another layer of biscuits.
Refrigerate: Let the apple dessert cool slightly, cover the baking dish with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for 3 hours or until the apples are set.
Inverting the dessert
Remove the plastic wrap from the top of the dish. Place a suitable serving platter on top of the baking dish. Hold both dishes together and carefully flip them upside down so the stewed apple dessert falls onto the serving platter. Then, take off the second piece of plastic wrap.
Sprinkle icing sugar over the dessert and cut it into squares the size of the biscuits.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers for 2-3 days; the biscuits will get softer the longer they are stored.
This dessert is not suitable for freezing.
Stewed Apple Dessert
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Rectangular baking dish 8x11 inches/ 20x30 cm
Ingredients
- 2.2 lbs apples 1 kg
- ยพ cup granulated sugar 150 g
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1ยผ cup apple juice 300 ml
- 1 packet vanilla pudding powder โ cup OR 40 g/ โ cup cornstarch + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 7 oz butter biscuits 200 g, Notes 1, 2
- confectioners' sugar
Instructions
Stewed apples:
- Prepare the apples: Peel and roughly grate the apples. Place them in a pot, and add the sugar, cinnamon, and apple juice. Let stand for about 20-30 minutes or until you notice that the apples have released more juices.2.2 lbs apples/ 1 kg + ยพ cup granulated sugar/ 150 g + 1 teaspoon cinnamon + 1ยผ cup apple juice/ 300 ml
- Stew the apples: Stir in the pudding powder (OR corn starch and vanilla extract), mix well, place on the hob, and bring to a boil, stirring often. Let bubble a couple of times until the mixture thickens like a pudding.1 packet vanilla pudding powder / โ cup OR 40 g/ โ cup cornstarch + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Assemble the dessert:
- Layer apple dessert: Line the dish with plastic wrap. Arrange one layer of biscuits in the dish. Pour half of the apple mixture over the cookies and level. Cover with another layer of biscuits. Pour the rest of the apples on top, level, and add the third layer of biscuits.7 oz butter biscuits/ 200 g
- Refrigerate the dessert: Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap, let it cool slightly, then place in the fridge for about 3 hours or until the apple mixture is cold and set.
Serve:
- Invert the dessert: When ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap from the top of the dish. Place a suitable serving platter on top of the baking dish. Hold both dishes together and carefully flip them upside down so the stewed apple dessert falls onto the serving platter. Then, take off the second piece of plastic wrap.
- Sprinkle the dessert with confectioners' sugar and cut into squares the size of the biscuits.
Notes
- Biscuits: For instance, Bahlsen Leibniz, Le Petit Beurre, or similar.
- Amount of biscuits: Use as much as you need to get 3 layers.
Harold Burton says
Thank you for this great post. Your ketchup recipe is a staple in my kitchen! I just made another batch yesterday ?
Sissi says
What a fantastic idea! I recently saw something similar but in savoury version (I intend to post my version one day!) and also thought "how clever!". The easiest cakes are often the most delicious, so I'm bookmarking your recipe (moreover, I cannot imagine an apple cake I wouldn't like!).
Balvinder says
This looks wonderful, Adina. I really want to make it. I just have to find out if the vanilla powder is gluten free. I have seen this in grocery stores. I checked your apple caramel cake. It looked insanely delicious too.
Olga Riofrio says
Wow my mouth is melting this looks so so good.
Olga.
Kim | Low Carb Maven says
I super love this recipe. What a great idea. I can see why Bruno couldn't wait to sink his teeth into this dish! After a week of sun and above temperatures, we will receive a week of rain. We need it so I won't complain. ๐
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I've never had anything like this before! This looks so good! This would make a lovely afternoon snack with a cup of coffee ๐ It was beautiful here this past weekend, but we have snow today, so it's not a very spring-like day. Oh well! Have a great week!
grace says
this is a first! what a clever idea, and your filling is just the right consistency to make for stunning slices. bravo!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Well this is genius! LOVE that you used biscuits for the base and the top of the cake! Looks just delicious! And I love that it is super easy to make!! Cheers, friend!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Such a great idea! I love that apple filling.
Anca says
It looks great and I love adding fruits in cakes, it makes them a bit healthier. What can I use instead of the pudding powder? (I never use pudding powder).
Adina says
Pudding powder contains only starch and aroma, so it should be ok to take starch and vanilla extract or essence. One packet contains 37 g powder, I would take the same amount.
KR says
Very creative idea. In my opinion apple jam is food you allways suprais again HOWdelicious it is ๐
Monica says
This looks so good! It's amazing how well these no-bake cakes are and how great it is to use biscuits/cookies as the "cake" layers! Love your presentation, too.
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
This recipe is pure genius!! I can't stop looking at the gorgeous pictures and trying to make them come through my computer and on to my plate! Love this one, Adina. ๐