Welcome to Your New Favorite Fall Treat!

Kitchies! Picture this: a cozy kitchen filled with the heavenly aroma of cinnamon and baked apples. There’s something so heartwarming about a crumb-topped cake, isn’t there? This Apple Crumb Cake is the perfect balance of tender, buttery cake, sweet apple filling, and a crumbly, golden topping that practically melts in your mouth.

Whether you’re looking for a showstopper dessert or a sweet breakfast treat, this cake delivers. It’s one of those recipes that takes you right back to family gatherings or lazy Sunday mornings, paired with a hot cup of coffee or tea. The best part? It’s simple enough to whip up anytime the craving strikes!

Why You’ll Love This Apple Crumb Cake

Tender and Moist Base: A fluffy vanilla cake that pairs beautifully with the apple-cinnamon filling.
Irresistible Crumb Topping: Buttery, cinnamon-spiced streusel that adds a satisfying crunch.
Seasonal Favorite: Perfect for fall or any time you have extra apples to use.

Exciting Story

When I first made this Apple Crumb Cake, it was meant to be a weekend indulgence for the family. But by Sunday evening, there wasn’t a crumb (pun intended) left! My husband took one bite and declared it his favorite dessert ever. Even the kids, who usually shy away from anything involving “fruit,” couldn’t get enough. Now it’s become a must-have during apple-picking season and a staple at our holiday gatherings.

Why This Apple Crumb Cake is a Must-Try

Selling Points

Layers of Goodness: Soft cake, sweet apple filling, and a crunchy crumb topping.
Easy to Make: No complicated techniques—just mix, layer, and bake!
Customizable: Swap in pears or berries for a twist.

Cuisine

American

Tips

Apples: Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweet and tangy.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-Free: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
Dairy-Free: Replace butter with coconut oil and sour cream with dairy-free yogurt.
Add-Ins: Stir in chopped nuts or dried cranberries for extra texture.

Make a Healthier Version

Reduce sugar by using coconut sugar or a sugar substitute.
Use whole wheat flour for added fiber.

Todd Wilbur-Style Closing

And there you have it! This Apple Crumb Cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion, delivering cozy fall vibes with every bite. Be sure to share your baking triumphs with us, and check out some of our other irresistible recipes!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I use canned apple pie filling?
Yes, but fresh apples provide the best texture and flavor.

Q2: Can I make this ahead?
Absolutely! Bake it a day before and store covered at room temperature.

Q3: Can I freeze this cake?
Yes! Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.

Enjoy baking!

Apple Crumb Cake

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Author: Victoria
Total Time: 1 hour

Print Recipe

Description

This Apple Crumb Cake is the perfect balance of tender, buttery cake, sweet apple filling, and a crumbly, golden topping that practically melts in your mouth.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

1 cup All-Purpose Flour
¼ cup White Sugar
½ cup Light Brown Sugar
½ teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
¼ teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
½ cup Butter softened
¼ cup Milk
2 Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 Granny Smith Apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced or diced

Crumb Topping

1.5 cup All Purpose Flour
½ cup Brown Sugar
¼ cup White Sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
6 tablespoon Butter very soft or melted
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Caramel Sauce Optional

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Instructions

For the crumb topping

For the streusel, stir together sugars, flour, both sugars, cinnamon, and baking powder. Using a pastry blender or your hands, mix in the melted butter until the streusel is crumbly and well mixed.

For the Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 9×9 pan or a 9-inch springform pan.
In a large bowl for an electric or stand mixer, add the flour, both sugars, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Mix at medium speed until combined.
To the flour mixture, add butter 1 tablespoon at a time, not adding the next tablespoon until the previous has been well mixed. Once all butter has been added, mixture will resemble coarse sandy crumbs.
In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg and vanilla extract until mostly smooth. Turn mixer speed to low and slowly add the wet mixture into batter. Stir to combine, scraping the sides and bottom as needed.

Assembly and Baking

Spread ½ the batter into prepared pan. Layer ½ of the diced apples over the top and sprinkle with a few handfuls of the topping mix. Dollop the rest of the batter and spread it out. The batter may not completely cover the apples and that is fine.
Spread the rest of the apples evenly over the top. Sprinkle the remaining crumb topping. You want a mixture of larger chunks and finer crumbs for the best texture of crumb topping.
Bake 45-55 minutes or until the streusel topping is browned and the center is firm. After cooling, drizzle with caramel sauce if desired.

Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 45

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 of 9
Sugar: 12g
Fat: 7g