Rediscovering Tradition: How I Made an Apple Crumb Cake from an Old Cookbook My Own

Cooking from an old family cookbook is like taking a walk through history. Each recipe tells a story of a different time, capturing the flavors and ingredients that defined those eras. Recently, I asked my Mimi if she had any old cookbooks and she found several well loved, decades-old cookbooks. I immediately was drawn to the cookbook that was filled with only desserts. This specific cookbook was made by the ladies of my church back in 1950. They all got together and compiled their favorite family recipes. After looking through the book a simple recipe for apple crumb cake caught my eye.

Being a lover of both baking and experimenting in the kitchen, I knew I had to try it. But like any home baker who thrives on creativity, I couldn’t resist the urge to tweak the recipe to make it my own. Here’s how I took this classic apple crumb cake recipe and gave it a modern twist, while still honoring the comforting flavors of the original.

The Original Recipe

The old cookbook’s recipe was a simple apple crumb cake, with basic ingredients:

3 eggs
1 1/3 cup of sugar
2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
6 tbsp of butter
A pinch of salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
sliced apples

It was a straightforward, reliable dessert, designed to satisfy without requiring too much time or effort. But as a baker, I enjoy adding a personal touch to my creations. Here’s how I made this apple crumble truly mine.

My Adjustments

1. Thinning the Batter The original recipe called for only 3 ingredients which made the cake part extremely thick and I knew that it would be too thick and spongey. So I added in melted butter and buttermilk, to enrich the cake and make it soft and moist.

2. A Hint of Vanilla To help give the cake a sweet flavor, I added a splash of vanilla extract. The vanilla added a little bit of warmth to the cake.

3. Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Since the original recipe just said to add sliced apples on top of the batter, I thought it would be more tasty if I spiced it up. I mixed the sliced apples with cinnamon and brown sugar.

4. A Touch of Spice While the original didn’t call for any spices, I decided to add a little to give it more depth. I added a little bit of cinnamon to the crumble topping and I think it was the cherry on top!

The Final Recipe

Here’s the adjusted version of the old apple crumble recipe, with all my little tweaks:

Ingredients:

6 or 7 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced thinly
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup melted butter (cooled)
1/3 cup buttermilk

For the Crumble Topping:

1/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
6 tbsp cold butter, cubed
1/2 tsp cinnamon

A Recipe That’s Truly Mine

This updated apple crumble recipe has quickly become a favorite in my home, blending the timeless simplicity of the original with my personal touch. While I was baking it, I thought of the generations before me who might have enjoyed a similar dessert, and it feels like a sweet connection to the past. At the same time, it’s also a reminder of how baking is always evolving, and how we can make tradition our own with just a few thoughtful changes.

Whether you’re working from a cookbook passed down through the family or simply trying a new recipe you found online, don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own. After all, that’s how new traditions are born.

What are your favorite fall recipes? Here is my go to easy recipe for Pumpkin Bread.