I love experimenting with apples. This time I made country apple crumb cake. It's quite delicious and festive. I really like the texture of the base dough and crumb topping. I found the recipe a long time ago and only now found time to make it.  I think second time I'm not going saute apples with butter. Instead of apples, I will try raw pears or blueberries.One thing I would like to mention. I found this recipe on many cooking sites. It looks like many people have already tried, but not many of them mention about an author of the recipe. His name is Ken Haedrich and he is  author of the book "Pie: 300 tried-and-true recipes for delicious homemade pie" published by Harvard Common press. I really thank you him for the quite interesting recipe. I hope to make again and try another fruit.

Servings: 12

Cake
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 lemons, zest of, grated

Apple Crumb Topping
1 tablespoon butter
3 cups golden delicious apples, peeled, cored and sliced crosswise ( about 2.5)
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/4 inch pieces

Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly butter a 9 inch square pan and dust with flour (you can also use nonstick spray).
For the topping, melt 1 tbsp butter in a skillet. Add the apple slices and saute over medium high heat for 2 minutes (stir often). Move the slices to a plate and allow to cool while preparing the cake.
For the cake, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside.
With an electric mixer, cream the butter (1/2 cup) and cream cheese in a large bowl.
Gradually add in the sugar, 1/2 cup at a time.
Add in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add the flour, a third at a time, blending well after each addition.
Add the vanilla and lemon zest.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it with a spoon.
To finish the topping, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
Rub the butter into the dry ingredients until you have uniform crumbs.
Sprinkle half of the crumbs over the batter, then add the apple slices.
Top with the apples with the remaining crumbs.
Bake the cake on the center rack for 50-60 minutes. When the cake is done,it will pull away from the sides and the top will be golden brown.
Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack.