Apple Crumb Cake

Apple Crumb Cake is a soft, moist cake filled with juicy apples and topped with an extra brown sugar cinnamon crumb topping. This perfect fall dessert holds a special place in my cookbook! You'll love the perfect balance of softness and crunchiness that gives this cake its unique charm.

If you love desserts with a delicious crumb topping, you might also want to try these Mango Crumb Bars, Cheesecake Banana Bread Crumb Cake, and Easy Lemon Crumb Bars.

I love fall, fall desserts, and the cozy aroma of apples and cinnamon baking in the oven. Even though summer is still here, fall is just around the corner, and I'm already looking forward to all the delicious recipes this season brings. This fresh Apple Crumb Cake is one of my favorites and the perfect way to welcome the season..

As you already know, I'm all about quick and easy recipes, and this Apple Crumb Cake is no exception. It's made with simple, everyday ingredients and takes very little effort to prepare. So, let's see what you'll need to make this delicious fall dessert.

Key ingredients for Apple Crumb Cake: 

• Apple: Fresh apples add natural sweetness, moisture, and delicious fruity flavor, just like the apples used in this Apple Cinnamon Bread.
• All-purpose flour: Gives the cake structure while keeping the crumb soft and tender.
• Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness, moisture, and a subtle caramel-like flavor.
• Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create the cake's tender texture.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that pairs perfectly with apples, just like in these Cinnamon Sugar Apple Muffins.
• Powdered sugar: Adds a simple touch of sweetness when sprinkled over the finished cake.
• Baking soda: Helps the cake rise and gives it a light, tender texture.
• Unsalted butter: Adds rich, buttery flavor and helps keep the cake moist.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and helps give the cake structure.
• Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor that complements the apples and cinnamon.

The ingredient amounts and full recipe can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Below is a shorter description of the preparation with accompanying photos.

How to make Apple Crumb Cake:

Step 1. Prepare the Topping

Combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the melted butter, then gradually add the flour and mix with a fork until coarse crumbs form.

Step 2. Prepare the Cake Batter

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined, then add the sour cream and beat until smooth. Gradually add the flour mixture and mix just until incorporated. In another bowl, toss the chopped apples with cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of flour. Gently fold the apples into the batter until evenly distributed.

Step 3. Bake and Cool

Spread the batter evenly into a 9x9-inch pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F for about 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 30 minutes before slicing.

Step 4. Prepare the glaze

Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cake, then cut and serve.

Expert Tips

• Measure the flour correctly: Too much flour can make the cake dense and dry. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife.
• Don't overmix the batter: Mix just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the cake less tender.
• Cut the apples into evenly sized pieces: This helps them bake evenly and gives every bite a nice balance of cake and apples.
• Let the cake cool before slicing: Give it some time to set after baking. This makes it easier to cut and helps the layers hold together nicely.
• Use room-temperature ingredients: Butter, eggs, and other refrigerated ingredients blend more easily when they're at room temperature, giving you a smoother batter.