An easy stewed apple dessert made with Leibniz cookies, delicious and perfect for using lots of apples.

This stewed apple dessert is the thing to do when you happen to have lots of apples. In autumn, for instance, when all the apple trees in the neighborhood are full of fruit.
And if you still have apples, you could try this Stewed Apple Tray Bake as well, it is one of our favorite apple cakes.
I've made this dessert about a month ago to take with us when visiting some friends. My son watched me cooking the apples, and saw all the biscuits laying around and 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. No matter what kind of apple cake and I do have quite a few in my repertoire, he gets impatient only when hearing the words apple cake.
Table of contents
What do you need?
Apples:
- You will need 1 kg/ 2.2 lbs apples.
- Normally, for stewing apples, I would recommend apples that hold their shape and texture better.
- However, in this case, it really doesn't matter, use the apples that you happen to have, especially if you are trying to make the best out of garden apples.
- Bruised, small, misshaped apples are all perfect for this recipes.
- The only thing I pay attention to is that the apples I use are rather tart, but that is not difficult, as I have never had an apple from somebody's garden that wasn't tart. Sweet apples only seem to "grow" in supermarkets...
Biscuits:
- Leibniz butter biscuits or s similar cheaper version. (Amazon affiliate link)
- You could choose the classic cookies or the whole wheat ones, they both taste great, although I like the whole wheat version a little better, they are a touch less sweet.
- Use as many as needed to obtain three layers, more or less 200 g/ 7 oz. That would be one packet.
Pudding powder:
- I use vanilla pudding powder to thicken the stewed apples (affiliate link).
- It is the kind of powder that needs to be cooked with milk.
- For this recipe, you will not need any milk, you will just mix the powder with the apples and cook them together until the mixture thickens.
What to use instead of pudding powder?
- The powder is easily replaced with the same amount of corn starch and vanilla extract.
- You will need 40 g/ 1.4 oz/1/3 cup cornstarch and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
What else do you need?
- Sugar, icing sugar, apple juice and cinnamon.
How to make?
Prepare the stewed apples:
- Peel and grate the apples. Place them in a pot with the sugar, cinnamon, and apple juice, and let stand until they release more juices, about 30 minutes.
- Mix in the pudding powder or corn starch and vanilla, bring to a boil and let thicken, stirring often.
Assemble the dessert:
- In the meantime, line a rectangular baking dish with cling film.
- Arrange a layer of biscuits in the dish.
- Once the apples are cooked, carefully pour half of them into the dish and level nicely.
- Cover with another layer of cookies.
- Add the remaining stewed apples and level.
- Cover with more biscuits.
- Let cool slightly, cover with cling film, and refrigerate for 3 hours or until the apples are set.
How to serve?
- Remove the plastic wrap from the top.
- Place a suitable serving dish on top of the cake, grab both dishes and turn them simultaneously, so that the cake falls on the serving platter.
- Remove the second plastic wrap.
- Sprinkle the cake with icing sugar and cut into squares the size of the biscuits.
More apple desserts
Stewed Apples Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 kg/ 2.2 lbs apples
- 150 g/ 5.3 oz/ ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 300 ml/ 10.1 fl.oz/ 1 ¼ cups apple juice
- 1 packet vanilla pudding powder OR 40 g/ 1.4 oz/ ⅓ cup corn starch + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 200 g/ 7 oz butter biscuits Note 1 and 2
- icing sugar
Instructions
Stewed apples:
- Peel and roughly grate the apples. Place in a pot, add the sugar, cinnamon and apple juice and let stand for about 20-30 minutes or until you notice that the apples have released more juices.
- 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.
Assemble:
- Line a baking tray or a rectangular dish (20x30 cm/ 8x11 inches) 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.
- Cover with plastic wrap, let cool slightly, then place in the fridge for about 3 hours or until the apple mixture is cold and set.
Serve:
- When ready to serve remove the plastic wrap from the top of the cake. Place a suitable serving dish on top of the cake, grab both dishes and turn them simultaneously, so that the cake falls onto the serving platter. Remove the second plastic wrap.
- Sprinkle the cake with icing sugar and cut into squares the size of the biscuits.
Notes
- As much as you need to get 3 layers.
- For instance Bahlsen Leibniz, Petit Beurre or similar.
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. 🙂
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.
KR says
Very creative idea. In my opinion apple jam is food you allways suprais again HOWdelicious it is 🙂
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.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Such a great idea! I love that apple filling.
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!
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 🙂 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!
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. 🙂
Olga Riofrio says
Wow my mouth is melting this looks so so good.
Olga.
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.
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!).
Harold Burton says
Thank you for this great post. Your ketchup recipe is a staple in my kitchen! I just made another batch yesterday ?