Apple Crumb Cake Recipe – Old-Fashioned Comfort with a Modern Twist

There’s just something about Apple Crumb Cake that feels like coming home. The moment it hits the oven, your kitchen fills with that sweet, cozy smell of apples and cinnamon, and suddenly—life slows down a little. This is the kind of cake that whispers, “grab a cup of coffee, curl up with a blanket, and savor this moment.” And friend, I think we could all use a little more of that.

I’ll tell you—my kids call this my “hug cake” because every forkful feels like a warm hug. (Though let’s be honest, the crumb topping never survives the first ten minutes in my house!)

Why You’ll Love This Apple Crumb Cake

• Perfect balance – buttery cake, tart apples, and crisp cinnamon topping.
• Versatile – breakfast, afternoon snack, or cozy dessert.
• Crowd pleaser – picky eaters and apple lovers unite!
• Easy to make – no fancy steps, just simple baking joy.

What Does Apple Crumb Cake Taste Like?

Imagine a moist, buttery cake that practically melts on your tongue. Add in tart-sweet bites of Granny Smith apples and a crunchy, cinnamon-kissed topping that shatters under your fork. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and just sweet enough without being over the top.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Apple Crumb Cake

One of the best parts about making Apple Crumb Cake is that it calls for simple, everyday ingredients you probably already have at home. Nothing fancy, nothing intimidating—just pantry staples mixed with fresh apples that transform into something truly magical. Let’s break it down:

For the Cake Batter

• All-Purpose Flour (1 ½ cups): This is the backbone of our Apple Crumb Cake, giving it that soft but structured bite. If you’re a frequent baker, you know flour is where the magic starts.
• Baking Powder (1 teaspoon) & Baking Soda (½ teaspoon): These are our little leavening heroes. They help the cake rise and stay fluffy instead of heavy.
• Ground Cinnamon (½ teaspoon): Cinnamon is non-negotiable in any apple recipe. It adds warmth and coziness that makes this cake taste like fall—even in the middle of July.
• Salt (¼ teaspoon): Just a pinch, but don’t skip it! Salt balances the sweetness and brings out the buttery notes.
• Unsalted Butter (¾ cup, softened): Butter is what makes this Apple Crumb Cake melt-in-your-mouth soft and rich. Let it come to room temp for best results.
• Granulated Sugar (1 cup): For sweetness, but not overwhelming. The apples add their own natural sugar, so this keeps everything in balance.
• Eggs (2 large): The glue that binds everything together, adding moisture and tenderness.
• Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): A little splash of vanilla enhances the apples and crumb topping beautifully.
• Sour Cream (½ cup): My secret weapon for moisture. It makes the cake incredibly soft and slightly tangy—like your favorite bakery loaf.
• Apples (2 medium Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and diced): Tart, crisp apples are key here. Granny Smiths are my go-to because they don’t turn mushy in the oven and their tanginess balances the sweet crumb topping. (If you love baking with apples, you’ll also adore my apple cinnamon muffins for a quick grab-and-go breakfast.)

For the Crumb Topping

• All-Purpose Flour (1 cup): Provides structure for the topping. Think of it as the crunchy layer’s backbone.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): More cinnamon—because can there ever really be too much? It deepens the cozy flavors.
• Salt (¼ teaspoon): Just a touch to balance out the sugars.
• Unsalted Butter (½ cup, cold & cubed): Cold butter is what makes the topping crumbly and irresistible. Don’t let it soften—chill it if you need to.
• Brown Sugar (½ cup, packed): Adds that rich, molasses-like sweetness and helps the topping caramelize.
• Granulated Sugar (¼ cup): A little extra sweetness and crunch on top.

For the Cinnamon Drizzle

• Unsalted Butter (1 tablespoon): Starts the base of the drizzle.
• Brown Sugar (½ cup, packed): Sweet and deep, it makes the drizzle caramel-like.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Because no Apple Crumb Cake is complete without another cinnamon kiss.
• Milk (2 tablespoons): Thins the drizzle so it pours beautifully over the cake.
• Pinch of Salt: That tiny contrast makes the drizzle sing.

👉 Together, these ingredients create layers of flavor: buttery cake, tart apples, crunchy topping, and a sweet drizzle. Every bite is a perfect mix of textures and flavors.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Apple Crumb Cake

Baking Apple Crumb Cake is one of those joyful kitchen projects where the process is just as comforting as the final result. Take your time, enjoy the smells, and let’s bake together.

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cake bakes evenly from the start.
• Grease a 9×9-inch square baking pan with butter or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

👉 Pro Tip: If you love neat slices (like for serving at brunch), parchment is your best friend.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

• In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
• Set aside. This step makes sure all those dry ingredients are evenly combined, so your Apple Crumb Cake has no weird flour pockets hiding inside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

• In a large mixing bowl, cream together ¾ cup softened butter and 1 cup sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes with an electric mixer).
• This step is what gives your cake its light texture. Think of it as whipping air right into your batter.

Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

• Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Mixing them individually helps the batter stay smooth.
• Stir in the vanilla extract for that cozy, bakery-like aroma.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

• Add the dry mixture in three parts, alternating with the ½ cup sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
• Mix gently after each addition—don’t overdo it. Overmixing can make the cake dense instead of soft and tender.

Step 6: Fold in the Apples

• Gently fold in the diced Granny Smith apples. They should be evenly spread throughout the batter so every bite of your Apple Crumb Cake gets that tart-sweet apple surprise.

👉 If you love apple desserts, you might also enjoy my healthy apple cinnamon oat muffins, which are perfect for busy mornings.

Step 7: Make the Crumb Topping

• In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup flour, cinnamon, salt, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
• Cut in the cold butter cubes using a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips until you get pea-sized crumbs.
• The secret here is cold butter—it melts in the oven, creating that shattering, crisp crumb everyone loves on Apple Crumb Cake.

Step 8: Assemble the Cake

Step 9: Bake the Cake

• Place the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 55–65 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Every oven is a little different, so start checking around the 55-minute mark.

Step 10: Cool Before Drizzling

• Let the cake cool for about 20 minutes in the pan. Cooling allows the structure to set so it doesn’t crumble apart when you slice it.

Step 11: Make the Cinnamon Drizzle

• In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter.
• Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, and a pinch of salt.
• Simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly into a glossy drizzle.

Step 12: Drizzle and Serve

• Pour the warm drizzle over your cooled Apple Crumb Cake.
• Slice into squares and serve with coffee, tea, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling extra indulgent.

👉 Personal Tip: I sometimes keep the drizzle on the side so people can pour as much (or as little—though honestly, who does that?) as they want.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Apple Crumb Cake

• Chill your crumb topping before baking for extra crunch.
• Don’t overmix the batter—your cake will stay soft and fluffy.
• Use tart apples like Granny Smith—they balance the sweetness beautifully.
• Make ahead friendly – bake the night before, and drizzle right before serving.
• Double batch tip – freeze one (without drizzle) for a rainy-day pick-me-up.

Confession: I once brought this to a church potluck and it was gone before I even made it through the line. Lesson learned—always cut yourself a slice first!

Storage

• Room temp: Covered, up to 2 days.
• Fridge: Airtight container, up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Wrap tightly, up to 3 months (skip the drizzle until thawed).

FAQs

Can I use a different apple?
Yes! Honeycrisp or Fuji also work well.

Can I skip the drizzle?
Of course—it’s delicious with or without it.

What pan works best?
A 9×9 square pan is ideal, but you can also bake in a springform pan.

Conclusion

This Apple Crumb Cake isn’t just dessert—it’s comfort, joy, and nostalgia baked into one pan. Whether you make it for Sunday brunch, a potluck, or just because your sweet tooth is whispering, I promise this cake will win hearts.

And if you’re an apple fan like me, you’ll also love my baked apple fritters and apple spice cake.

So go on, bake this beauty, and let your kitchen smell like autumn today.

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Apple Crumb Cake Recipe

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• Author: Jessica
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 85 minutes
• Yield: 9 servings
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

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Description

A cozy, bakery-style Apple Crumb Cake packed with tart Granny Smith apples, a buttery cinnamon crumb topping, and finished with a warm cinnamon drizzle. Perfect for brunch, dessert, or anytime you need a comforting treat.

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Ingredients

For the Cake Batter:

All-Purpose Flour (1 ½ cups)

Baking Powder (1 teaspoon)

Baking Soda (½ teaspoon)

Ground Cinnamon (½ teaspoon)

Salt (¼ teaspoon)

Unsalted Butter (¾ cup, softened)

Granulated Sugar (1 cup)

Eggs (2 large)

Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon)

Sour Cream (½ cup)

Granny Smith Apples (2 medium, peeled, cored, and diced)

For the Crumb Topping:

All-Purpose Flour (1 cup)

Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon)

Salt (¼ teaspoon)

Unsalted Butter (½ cup, cold & cubed)

Brown Sugar (½ cup, packed)

Granulated Sugar (¼ cup)

For the Cinnamon Drizzle:

Unsalted Butter (1 tablespoon)

Brown Sugar (½ cup, packed)

Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon)

Milk (2 tablespoons)

Pinch of Salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.

2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.

5. Add dry mixture in three parts, alternating with sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently after each addition.

6. Fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed.

7. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, salt, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for the crumb topping. Cut in cold butter until the mixture forms pea-sized crumbs.

8. Spread cake batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle crumb topping generously over the top.

9. Bake for 55–65 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

10. Cool the cake in the pan for about 20 minutes before adding the drizzle.

11. In a small saucepan, melt butter for the drizzle. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, and salt. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened.

12. Drizzle warm glaze over cooled cake. Slice and serve.

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Notes

Apple Crumb Cake is best served slightly warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness. Try serving with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a dessert-worthy experience. You can also double the drizzle if you love extra sweetness.