As a mom and seasoned baker, I adore recipes like this Apple Crumb Cake — comforting, simple, and perfect for mornings or gatherings. Don’t just take my word for it: Christy Cox gave this recipe five stars and wrote, “This was so moist and delicious! Easy to throw together and have for breakfast with coffee the next morning! My kids really liked it too!”
Table of Contents
- Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make an Apple Crumb Cake
- Expert Tips
- How to Serve
- Storing
- Recipe FAQs
- Do you love fall desserts? Try these recipes…
- Apple Crumb Cake Recipe
Fresh apples bring natural sweetness and keep the cake tender, while the buttery crumb topping adds a delightful crunch. Whether it’s for a weekend breakfast, holiday brunch, or a cozy afternoon treat, this Apple Crumb Cake is easy to make and always welcome.
Recipe Ingredients
- Butter: Adds flavor and keeps the cake moist and tender.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the batter and helps browning; brown sugar in the crumble adds depth and chewiness.
- Large Eggs: Bind the batter and contribute moisture and structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Use good-quality vanilla for the best flavor.
- Flour: Provides structure and holds the cake together.
- Baking Powder: The leavening agent that helps the cake rise.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.
- Milk: Moistens the batter and converts to steam during baking for tenderness.
- Granny Smith Apples: Tart apples balance the sweetness; Gala or your favorite apple can be used instead.
- Cinnamon: The classic spice for apple desserts; apple pie spice also works well.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
How to Make an Apple Crumb Cake
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment and spray with nonstick spray.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg and vanilla. Beat until creamy using a hand mixer, stand mixer, or whisk by hand.
3. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. The mixture may be crumbly; that’s okay. Pour in the milk and mix gently until a smooth batter forms.
4. Spread half the batter into the prepared pan in an even layer.
Crumb Topping
5. In a medium bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until you have coarse crumbs. Avoid overworking the mixture so it stays crumbly rather than pasty.
6. Scatter the peeled, chopped apples over the first layer of batter. Sprinkle half the crumb topping over the apples. Spread the remaining batter evenly over the crumbs, then finish with the remaining crumb topping.
7. Bake at 350°F for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack, or serve warm.
Expert Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth, easy-to-mix batter.
- Do not overmix — overmixing produces a tough texture instead of a tender cake.
- Prepare apples just before assembling so they remain fresh and don’t brown.
- Don’t skimp on the crumb topping — it’s the signature feature that gives the cake its texture and flavor.
- Optional glaze: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and enough heavy cream to reach a pourable consistency; drizzle over cooled slices.
How to serve
Serve this cinnamon apple crumb cake warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel, or enjoy it with whipped cream and a hot cup of coffee for a simple, comforting treat.
Storing
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for 4–5 days.
Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Pears, berries, jams, or curds all work well instead of apples. Adjust sweetness and texture as needed when you swap fruits.
Crumb cake typically has a much larger amount of streusel topping than coffee cake. Coffee cake may have little or no streusel, while crumb cake is known for its generous crumble layer.
Yes. A 9-inch springform pan or an 8×8 pan can be used. An 8×8 will yield a thicker cake and may require an additional 5–10 minutes of baking time.
Do you love fall desserts? Try these recipes…
Cakes
Super Easy Apple Upside Down Cake
Desserts
Best Fall Cookies: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe Made with a Cake Mix
Desserts
Fall Desserts: Easy Pecan Pie Cobbler Recipe with a Cake Mix
Cheesecakes
The Best Caramel Apple No Bake Cheesecake
Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @practicallyhomemade on Pinterest!
Apple Crumb Cake Recipe
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Ingredients
Cake
- ½ cup butter, {softened}
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar, {packed}
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 small apples, {peeled and chopped}
Crumb Topping
- ½ cup butter, {softened}
- ¾ cup brown sugar, {packed}
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 pan with parchment and spray with nonstick spray.
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In a medium bowl, combine butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg and vanilla. Beat until creamy.
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Add flour, salt and baking powder and mix until combined. The mixture may be crumbly.
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Add milk and mix to a smooth batter. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan and top with the chopped apples.
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Make the crumb topping by combining butter, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle half the crumbs over the apples.
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Spread the remaining batter over the crumbs and apples, then top with the remaining crumbs.
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Bake 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve warm or cooled. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate up to 4 days. Freeze up to 3 months.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients when possible for a smooth batter.
- Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
- Peel and chop apples just before assembling to prevent browning.
- Optional glaze: combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and enough heavy cream to reach a pourable consistency.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.