Mama's Apple Crumble Cake

"Apple crumble cake: a divine, four layer cake straight out of my mom’s kitchen. Sometimes, when I like a dessert as much as I like mom’s apple crumb pie, I don’t want to know how it’s made. I want the magic. I don’t want to know how Copperfield does it. I’d rather be seduced by the work, devour the (literal) fruits, and enjoy the drama of it. (Tangent: did you know Copperfield turned 60?) Do I need to know why and how croissants come to be as flaky and soft as snowflakes? Do I need to know how macaroons get that slight crunch while still melting in your mouth? I’m sure butter and eggs have something to do with it, but I don’t need to know. I don’t want to feel cheated with its simplicity. "