There’s nothing more comforting than the aroma of fresh apples baking in the oven. This Apple Crumb Cake combines a soft, moist cake base with layers of cinnamon-spiced apples and a buttery crumb topping that’s simply irresistible. Perfect for fall gatherings, holidays, or a cozy afternoon treat, this cake is one you’ll want to bake again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Warm fall flavors with juicy apples and cinnamon.
- Buttery crumb topping that adds the perfect crunch.
- Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.
- Ideal for brunch, dessert, or a holiday spread.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
For the Apple Filling:
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch square baking dish.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
- Mix in dry ingredients alternately with sour cream until smooth.
- Spread half of the batter into the pan, top with apple filling, then cover with remaining batter.
- In a separate bowl, combine crumb topping ingredients and sprinkle evenly over batter.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips & Variations
- Swap apples for pears for a fun twist.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Serve with a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent touch.
- Make it ahead — tastes even better the next day!
Storage & Freezer Instructions
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic and foil for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before serving.
Serving & Pairing Ideas
- Enjoy with a cup of hot coffee or spiced tea.
- Top with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
- Pair with whipped cream and caramel drizzle for a bakery-style treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different apples?
Yes! Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala all work beautifully.
Do I need to peel the apples?
Peeling is recommended for the best texture, but you can leave the skins on if preferred.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, bake it in a 9×13 pan, but increase baking time to about 50–55 minutes.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes, use dairy-free butter and sour cream substitutes.
Ready to Make It?
This Apple Crumb Cake is cozy, buttery, and perfect for any fall occasion. Bake it once, and it’s sure to become a family favorite. Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can come back to it whenever the apple craving strikes!
You Might Also Like
- Pumpkin Coffee Cake – Soft and spiced.
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Muffins – Sweet and fluffy.
- Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins – Warm and crumbly.
- Pumpkin Pie Stuffed Baked Apples – Cozy and sweet.
Homemade Apple Crumb Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
Description
This Apple Crumb Cake is soft, buttery, and layered with juicy cinnamon-spiced apples and a crunchy crumb topping. A cozy fall dessert perfect for brunch, gatherings, or holidays.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup sour cream
Apple Filling:
2 medium apples, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Crumb Topping:
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch square baking dish.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
5. Mix in dry ingredients alternately with sour cream until smooth.
6. Spread half the batter in the pan, top with apple filling, then cover with remaining batter.
7. Mix crumb topping ingredients and sprinkle evenly over the batter.
8. Bake for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
Best served warm with coffee or tea.
Tastes even better the next day.
Add nuts for extra crunch.
Freeze slices for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg