Easy Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Streusel Topping – Cozy Fall Treat
You know those recipes that just feel like fall the moment you make them? This apple crumb cake is exactly that. It is a perfect blend of soft, buttery cake, chunks of tart green apple, and a cinnamon crumb topping that’s basically irresistible.
It’s the kind of bake you can enjoy for breakfast in your coziest sweater, as a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, or as dessert when you just want something warm and comforting.
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There’s just something magical about the smell of cinnamon and apples baking in the oven, it’s like a warm hug for your senses.
How to Make Apple Crumb Cake
Here are the ingredients you need to make this apple crum cake, plus step by step instructions for how to make it.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 large green apple (peeled and chopped)
For the Crumb Topping
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Glaze
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp milk
Step by Step Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the paper with nonstick spray and set aside.
2. Peel the apple, remove the core, and chop it into small bite-sized pieces; set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla together until light, smooth, and creamy.
4. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until combined.
5. Pour in the milk and mix until a smooth, thick batter forms, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
6. Spread half of the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Scatter the chopped apples evenly over the batter.
7. To make the crumb topping, place the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms crumbs.
8. Sprinkle half of the crumb mixture over the apples.
9. Gently spread the remaining batter over the apples and crumbs (it’s okay if some apples peek through). Top with the remaining crumb mixture.
10. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
11. Allow the cake to cool, while you prepare the glaze.
12. For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake before cutting and serving.
13. Serve and enjoy!
This apple crumb cake is one of those “everyone asks for the recipe” kind of desserts. A simple, cozy treat that fills your home with warmth, your plate with comfort, and your heart with joy. Enjoy it warm, share it with friends, or keep it all to yourself – because some autumn bakes are just too good to resist.
More Fall Treats
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Caramel Apple Cheese Ball
- Caramel Apple Bars
- Pumpkin Pie Crisp
- Crockpot Pumpkin Dump Cake
- Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling
- Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifle
Apple Crumb Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- ½ cup (1 stick butter), softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 large green apple, peeled and chopped
For the Crumb Topping
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Glaze
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the paper with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Peel the apple, remove the core, and chop it into small bite-sized pieces; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla together until light, smooth, and creamy.
- Add the flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until combined.
- Pour in the milk and mix until a smooth, thick batter forms, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Spread half of the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Scatter the chopped apples evenly over the batter.
- To make the crumb topping, place the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms crumbs.
- Sprinkle half of the crumb mixture over the apples.
- Gently spread the remaining batter over the apples and crumbs (it’s okay if some apples peek through). Top with the remaining crumb mixture.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.
- For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
- Serve and enjoy!
