Traditional Sweet Apple Kugel
The perfect blend of sweet and tart, this cakey apple kugel is a staple for your Shabbos and Yom Tov meals!
I don’t think there is a Hungarian descendant out there who doesn’t have the “ultimate” apple kugel recipe. This particular one is actually from a friend, though my grandmother and mother have made similar ones over the years. The sweetness of the sugar, the creaminess of the vanilla, and the tartness of the lemon all come together so well!
I typically serve an apple crisp alongside my main course on Friday night or Yom Tov, but every so often I like to change things up with something slightly different, like this kugel. My father always jokes that he doesn’t like eating dessert with his pickle and chicken, even though my mother loves the balance of sweet with her savory protein. So, to make everyone happy, whenever my parents come I make sure to save a piece of the sweet side for my father for dessert!
This recipe is so easy and comes together in minutes! It can be made in advance and frozen. I suggest you freeze it after baking, as opposed to raw, as the raw apples will take on a different texture after being frozen. I use a good whisk to make the batter; there’s really no need to take out an electric mixture.
When it comes to choosing apples for this recipe — or any recipe with apples, for that matter — I have tried many types and found Cortland apples to be the best. This article goes through many different apple varieties and which types to use when baking or cooking various dishes. Remember that apples are often regional, so if you can’t find Cortland apples where you live, ask at your local fruit market which type is the best substitute.
This recipe is pretty versatile. If you like more apples and less batter, you can add another apple. If you want it more “cakey,” use one apple fewer (or smaller apples).
This apple kugel is on the smaller side — yielding 4-6 servings. I make it in an oblong, small (about 8-inch) baking dish and serve it right in the pan. You can make also make mini kugels in individual ramekins or triple this recipe so it fits a 9×13 pan.
Once you have all the ingredients out, go ahead and make my easy classic cinnamon swirl crumb cake!
Traditional Sweet Apple Kugel
Ingredients
- 2 large apples, peeled and sliced (Cortland is best)
- 1 cup flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ cup oil
- ¾ cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional, approx. 1 Tbsp)
- Juice of 1 lemon (approx. 2 Tbsp)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place sliced apples in the baking dish and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, using a whisk or wooden spoon, combine remaining ingredients to form a batter. Pour batter over apples.
- Bake for 45 minutes-1 hour.
Notes
Recipe by Faigy Murray | https://mykitchenmystudio.com/traditional-sweet-apple-kugel/
