Dutch Cobbler’s Cake (Schoenlapperstaart) – a delicious Dutch treat made with apples, raisins and the warm spices of cinnamon, ginger and cloves.
Schoenlapperstaart
I came across this recipe for Cobbler’s Cake in a cookbook that my husband’s sister had given me. It’s called Dutch Cooking Today. The cake sounded really good and I had to make it. After eating a piece, I would say it’s more like a bread pudding than a cake, but either way it is delicious.
My husband, who was born and raised in The Netherlands, had actually never heard of a Cobbler’s Cake before. He did some online research and discovered many recipes for Cobbler’s Cake, or Schoenlapperstaart, as it is called in Dutch.
Made with Dutch Rusks
One of the main ingredients for this cake is a packet of rusks. The recipe didn’t specify what size packet. When I asked my husband what that meant, he knew immediately. Rusks in Holland are called beschuit, and apparently they only come in one size. Rusks, or beschuit, are a type of biscuit or crisp bread that have been baked twice.
I haven’t come across Dutch rusks here in Massachusetts, but will be on the lookout. My husband regularly orders Dutch cheese from Vander Veen’s an online retailer of Dutch products. So, he ordered a couple of packages of Bolletje Rusks so I could try them and make this cake. You could substitute another type of twice baked biscuit, such as Zweibeck, or you could substitute Panko breadcrumbs.
This Dutch Cobbler’s Cake is delicious, I really love all the spices in it. I’d say it has the flavor of an apple spice cake with the texture of a bread pudding. It is wonderful served with whipped cream and/or ice cream. I also like it warm and served in a bowl with milk for breakfast.
Have you heard of rusks before, have you baked with them? Are they available where you are? Please let me know in the comments below!
Dutch Cobbler’s Cake – a yummy treat with apples, raisins and the warm spices of cinnamon, ginger and cloves.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (1 kg) tart apples (about 4-5 apples, I use Granny Smith)
- ¼ cup (50 g / 2 oz) water (plus more if needed)
- 3 eggs, separated
- ¼ cup (50 g / 2 oz) butter
- 1 cup (100 g / 3 ½ oz) sugar
- 1 (4.4 oz / 125 gram) package of Dutch rusks (see Notes)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 pinch ground cloves
- ½ cup (125 g / 4 oz) raisins
- powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch (22 cm) cake pan.
- Peel, core and slice apples. Cook in a saucepan along with ¼ cup (50 g / 2 oz) of water on medium heat until apples form a thick puree, adding more water as needed, about 30 minutes.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat egg whites until they form stiff peaks, set aside.
- In another large bowl, beat egg yolks, butter and sugar.
- Crumble rusks. Add crumbled rusks, apple puree, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and raisins. Mix to combine.
- Gently fold in the egg whites into the egg yolk rusk mixture.
- Spoon batter into greased cake pan. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool pan on wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove cake from pan, place on rack and cool completely.
- Dust cake with powdered sugar, if desired, and serve.
Notes
This cake is delicious served with whipped cream and/or ice cream. Also wonderful warm and served in a bowl with milk.
Dutch rusks or beschuit are a type of biscuit or crisp bread that have been baked twice. I used Bolletje brand. You could substitute another type of twice baked biscuit, such as Zweibeck. You could also substitute Panko breadcrumbs (use about 1 1/3 cups).
Adapted from Dutch Cooking Today.

This recipe is featured at:
Let’s Get Real Friday Link Party
Mmmm….love Rusks. I thought they were just something that my Dutch grandparents really liked. I did not realize that they are a popular Dutch food. My fave. We always eat them with a bit of butter and cheese. They are at our local grocery store in North Western Ontario, Canada.
Rusk were made on Holland ,Mi .No longer. I see them in the Dutch food at our Meijer. I grew up eating them toasted with butter and coffee. The only time I could have coffee. I think I will buy some and make it. Thanks for recipe.!
Great recipe thanks for sharing
My mama was Dutch too! I know I would love this. Yummy!
Marjie@HomeAgainJiggetyjig.com/wp recently posted…WHAT TO BUY IN DECEMBER and What NOT to Buy
That looks really good. I haven’t had much Dutch food of any kind. But I would really like to try it.
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist recently posted…Chicken Satay Burgers
What a fun and unique dessert…I wouldn’t have known what it was either 🙂
Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets) recently posted…Pumpkin Mousse with Caramel Pecan Bacon Praline
The spice in this sounds wonderful. I don’t think I’ve ever seen rusks but then again I wouldn’t have been looking. I’m curious now and will be looking.
christine recently posted…Easy Apple Crisp featuring M&M’s® Pecan Pie
I have never had an apple cake, this looks fabulous though, I may give it a try !
lizzy recently posted…10 Minute Miso Soup
This sounds delicious. I’ve never heard of rusks before 🙁
I wonder if I can get my hands on rusks. This looks like such a moist and flavorful cake.
Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3 recently posted…Monthly Meal Plan 3.9
What a delicious treat, it looks so flavorful!l
Debra @ Bowl Me Over recently posted…Rustic Harvest Stew
@ Joy This looks really tastefull… made Schoenlapperstaart before but don’t have the recipe anymore… only bummer that there are no Dutch measurements… can you tell me the Dutch measures pls…
TYVM 🙂
Hi Lavender, I’ve updated the recipe to include the Dutch measurements, hope you give this cake a try and enjoy!
Joy recently posted…Lemon Buttermilk Mini Loaves
I’ve not had cobblers cake before but it looks and sounds delicious! The only type of rusk I know if the little biscuits we give babies!
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake recently posted…Best Lemon Curd
Thanks Michelle!
Joy recently posted…Lemon Buttermilk Mini Loaves
This looks so moist!! I can’t wait to try.
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom recently posted…Strawberry Shortcake Breakfast Bars (Healthy)
Thanks Kristen!
Joy recently posted…Lemon Buttermilk Mini Loaves
This sounds wonderful. I’m a big fan of apple cakes.
Laura recently posted…New Method Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thanks Laura!
Joy recently posted…Lemon Buttermilk Mini Loaves
This is so fun! I love hearing about new foods. Thank you.
Thanks Mirlandra!
Joy recently posted…Lemon Buttermilk Mini Loaves
Oh this delicious cake reminded me of the town I used to reside – Holland, MI. It’s Tulip Time there now and there are many yummy Dutch treats being sold. This cake looks so scrumptious! Pinned. 🙂
Abigail recently posted…Easy Chorizo Fried Rice
Thanks Abigail, Holland, MI sounds like a lovely place!
Joy recently posted…Lemon Buttermilk Mini Loaves
Interesting about the Dutch rusks! I’ve never used them before but after reading your recipe I think I am going to have to hunt some down! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Sue Lau, hope you find some Dutch rusks and give this cake a try!
Joy recently posted…Lemon Buttermilk Mini Loaves
Oh this looks like it would be a delicious addition to one of our girls’ weekend brunches!
Marlynn @UrbanBlissLife recently posted…Scalloped Potatoes Au Gratin
Thanks Marlynn, this would indeed be a great addition to a girls’ brunch!
Joy recently posted…Lemon Buttermilk Mini Loaves
Dutch Cobbler sounds wonderful, honestly seems like something our family would enjoy. Thanks for sharing a great must try recipe.
Heidy@ The McCallums Shamrock Patch recently posted…Blackberry Mint Balsamic Dressing
Thanks Heidy! Hope you give this cake a try and you and your family enjoys!
Joy recently posted…Bacon Arugula Tomato and White Bean Pasta Salad
Joy, this really looks yummy. To be honest, I have not heard of rusks- is it biscotti? Thank you for sharing at our party! Pinned!
Thanks Hadia! Rusks are crisp breads similar to Zweibeck. Rusks are twice baked, as is biscotti, but are not the same thing. I hadn’t seen rusks here in the US before, my husband knew about them because he is Dutch and they are popular in Holland. So he ordered some from an online specialty shop. Thanks for the pin!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #2
I love bread pudding, so this sounds intriguing! It looks delicious too!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life recently posted…Stuffed Chicken with Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions
Thanks Michelle!
Joy recently posted…Cranberry Banana & Pecan Mini Loaves
Yummy! Pinned and tweeted. Lou Lou Girls
Lou Lou Girls recently posted…DIY Ornament Ideas by Reesa from Momma Lew!
Thanks so much!
Joy recently posted…Cranberry Banana & Pecan Mini Loaves
My mother is Dutch and I grew up eating rusks. So I know exactly what you mean. I’ve been able to find them sometimes at World Market. I just ordered from Vander Veen for Sinterklaas too. Small world. I haven’t had this tart but will try it next week and let me mom try it. Thanks for sharing this with us at Let’s Get Real Friday. You are one of my featured bloggers this week. I hope you’ll join us again at http://www.littlefamilyadventure.com
Hi Nicky, I’m so happy to hear this and excited to be featured at you fantastic link party! I hope you enjoy the cake, please let me know how it turns out. I love Dutch food and always have so many delicious treats when we visit The Netherlands and love trying to recreate them here at home. Thank goodness for Vander Veen’s 🙂
Joy recently posted…Pumpkin Turkey Goulash
It sounds like a very good cake. I have never heard of rusks before, glad you explained.
Thanks for sharing with us at Home Matters Linky party. Please come back Friday for the newest party.
Shirley Wood recently posted…Lumberjack Feud Dinner Show at Pigeon Forge Tennessee Review
Thanks Shirley! I will definitely be back at Home Matters!
Joy recently posted…Pumpkin Turkey Goulash
I’ve never heard of rusk before. I’ll have to look that up. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday. Learned something new.
Erlene recently posted…Merry Monday Link Party #29
Thanks Erlene for coming by!
Joy recently posted…Pumpkin Turkey Goulash
Sounds yummy. I love bread pudding so this would suit me fine 🙂
Christy recently posted…Brussel Sprouts with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette and Bacon
Thanks Christy, hope you give it a try and enjoy!
Joy recently posted…Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas