Around the World in Apple Cake
APPLE SHORTCAKE
Makes 9 bars
A famed New Zealand favorite, apple shortcake is a nostalgic baked good from Down Under. Kiwi baking blogger Erin Clarkson claims that almost every grandmother in the country has a recipe for it tucked in their recipe book. Encased in a cakey pastry crust are sugared and cinnamon-spiced apple slices, creating something like a pie-cake hybrid you won’t soon forget.
4 cups (500 grams) all-purpose flour
1 cup (200 grams) plus 3 tablespoons (36 grams) granulated sugar, divided, plus more for sprinkling
1¾ teaspoons (8.75 grams) baking powder
1¼ teaspoons (3.75 grams) plus ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 cup (227 grams) cold unsalted butter, cubed
3 large eggs (150 grams), divided and lightly beaten
¾ teaspoon (3 grams) almond extract
½ teaspoon (2 grams) vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (6 grams) cornstarch
1 teaspoon (2 grams) ground cinnamon
3 cups (330 grams) ¼-inch-thick wedges peeled Golden Delicious apples
2 cups (220 grams) ¼-inch-thick wedges peeled Granny Smith apples
2 teaspoons (10 grams) fresh lemon juice
Garnish: confectioners’ sugar
In the work bowl of a food processor, place flour, 1 cup (200 grams) sugar, baking powder, and 1¼ teaspoons (3.75 grams) salt; pulse until combined. Add cold butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse