Apple Hot Sugar Crust

Apple cobbler meets sugary-crusty top and juicy-sauce bottom that makes for the best fall and autumn inspired apple dessert. It is such a simple recipe but very elegant and delicious packed with cinnamon and vanilla.

I was trying to wait until September to start posting apple, pumpkin, pecans and everything cozy-autumn/fall vibes. But I couldn’t resists with this one. I actually tested this recipe last year and never got around to posting any of it. I am now here to tell you I tested the recipe yesterday just to be sure this worked and I was right. IT NOT ONLY WORKS BUT ALSO IS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. I served it with cold double cream but you could do vanilla ice cram or whipped cream as well.

Hot sugar crust recipes are not new on this blog as I have made a peach hot sugar crust recipe which was such a delicious option and a huge success. This recipe is no contender to that but it definitely packs a punch in every spoonful. It is a yummy a dessert to assemble ahead of time and bake when ready to serve. So let us get to the recipe now.

What is hot sugar crust?

Hot sugar crust recipe is a warm dessert made with fresh fruit, cake/cobbler batter topped with sugar and hot water. This is baked until the top is crunchy and crusty while the bottom is juicy and gooey. It is normally served with cold cream, whipped cream or ice cream and chopped nuts or a dusting of cinnamon powder.

What is apple hot sugar crust?

Apple hot sugar crust is basically apples tossed in cinnamon, sugar and lemon juice, topped with vanilla cake batter, sprinkled with sugar and hot water. It is baked until the top is crunchy, the apples are soft and juicy while the batter has baked into it and is light and fluffy. I have used a combination of red and green apples for flavor and texture.

Is hot sugar crust the same as cobbler?

While cobbler also has a fluffy batter on top of fruit and includes a crunchy topping which may or may not include sugar sprinkled on top – a cobbler doesn’t have hot water poured on top of the sugar before baking. The hot sugar crust come from the sprinkle of sugar on top and the hot water poured on top of that.

What ingredients do you need to make apple hot sugar crust?

To make the apple hot sugar crust we need apples (I have used green and red), lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon powder. To make the batter. We need yogurt, milk, baking soda, baking powder, lemon juice, oil, sugar, flour, salt, vanilla. For the hot sugar crust we need sugar and hot water. I have used a granulated white sugar to keep the crust extra crunchy.

What equipment do you need to make apple hot sugar crust?

To prepare the apples we need a knife, peeler, chopping board. I have used a 9 inch pie dish to make the recipe hence I toss the apples into the pie dish directly. Make the cake batter in a large mixing bowl with a whisk and rubber spatula. The dessert is baked in the pie dish in the oven.

How to make apple hot sugar crust?

Preheat the oven to 170℃ and keep a 9inch round baking dish ready on a baking tray (this helps transfer the baking dish into the oven easily without spilling the hot water later). In a large mixing bowl add the yogurt, milk, baking powder, baking soda and 1 tsp lemon juice. Whisk until combined. Let this sit for a minute until it is frothy. Add the oil, 150gm sugar, salt, flour, vanilla and whisk until smooth. In the round baking dish, add the chopped apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon powder. Mix together until combined. Pour over the cake batter and using a spatula smooth out the top.

Sprinkle with the 100gm sugar evenly. Gently pour over the hot water and transfer to the oven. Let this bake for 40-45 mins, you will know it is done when the top is golden brown, the sugar has hardened creating a crust. The apples have released its juices which are now bubbling on the sides.

Serving apple hot sugar crust?

The best way to serve this dish is hot/warm with cold cream/whipped cream/vanilla ice cream. You could serve it with pistachio ice cram or coffee ice cream as well. The hot and cold work well with each other. It is best served as a dessert or for brunch.

Storing apple hot sugar crust?

The leftovers can be covered in cling wrap and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. The longer you store it the les juicy it will be as the cake layer will keep soaking up the juices. Make sure it rapped up well so it doesn’t dry out. You. Can assemble the fruit and cake bater ahead of time (up to 12 hours ahead) , top it with the sugar and hot water before baking.

Looking for more apple recipes?

Now that we have covered how to make this Apple Hot Sugar Crust recipe, you can have a look at the recipe video on my socials but let’s get to it. Don’t forget to follow along for more fun recipe inspiration.

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on pinterest & instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.

60 Fall Favourite Baking Dessert Recipes 2025

These recipes are my favorite to kick start cozy season...

31 Recipes To Make In September 2025

Some of my favorite transition recipes to put you in...

Apple Cinnamon Scones Recipe

Flaky and soft scones layered with apple slices and spiced...

Apple Crumble Galette (with almond cream)

Crunchy and flakey short crust pastry, layered with almond cream,...

Apple Pie Oatmeal Recipe

Creamy oatmeal with cinnamon spiced sautéed apples and toasted hazelnuts....

Apple Hot Sugar Crust

Apple cobbler meets sugary-crusty top and juicy-sauce bottom that makes...

Apple Pie Hot Cross Buns

Fluffy and buttery hot cross buns with apple chunks in...