Hey y’all! If you love the cozy combo of spiced apples and a buttery crumb topping, this Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle will become your new go-to treat. It’s light, moist, and packed with warm fall flavors, making it perfect for holiday brunches, afternoon snacks, or whenever you need a comforting dessert. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle
- Irresistibly Moist: Tender cake packed with juicy, cinnamon-spiced apples in every bite.
- Easy to Make: Simple steps and pantry-friendly ingredients make this cake accessible for all bakers.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Crowd-pleaser for brunch, potlucks, or a sweet weeknight dessert.
- Warm and Cozy Flavors: The cinnamon apple drizzle takes the cake to a new level of deliciousness.
- Great Make-Ahead Dessert: Tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together beautifully.
Ingredients for Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (about 1 ½ cups; Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)
For the Crumb Topping:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cinnamon Apple Drizzle:
- 1 medium apple, peeled and finely diced
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream (or milk)
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle
Prep & Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Make the Crumb Topping
In a small bowl, combine ¾ cup flour, ⅓ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir in ½ cup melted butter until large, moist crumbs form. Set aside.
Prepare the Cake Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and ¾ cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla and sour cream, mixing until creamy. Fold in the dry ingredients just until combined. Gently fold in the chopped apples.
Bake the Apple Crumb Cake
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the batter. Bake for 38-43 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes.
Make the Cinnamon Apple Drizzle
While the cake cools, melt ¼ cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced apple and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender. Stir in ⅓ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoon cream. Simmer for 2 more minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
Finish and Serve
Once the cake is slightly cooled, drizzle the warm cinnamon apple glaze over the top. Slice and serve!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
Notes for the Perfect Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle
- If your apples are extra juicy, blot them dry before adding to the batter to avoid excess moisture.
- For precise flour measurements, spoon and level instead of scooping—read more at Sally’s Baking Addiction.
- Let the cake cool before drizzling to prevent the topping from melting too much.
Variations on Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle
- Pecan Crumble: Add ½ cup chopped pecans to the crumb topping for a nutty crunch.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour.
- Caramel Drizzle: Swap the cinnamon apple drizzle for a simple caramel sauce—see this recipe.
Required Equipment for Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle
- 8x8-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls (large & medium)
- Whisk & spatula
- Small saucepan
- Parchment paper
Storage Instructions for Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle
Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm slices before serving for best texture.
Suggested Pairings & Serving Recommendations
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Enjoy with hot coffee or spiced chai for a comfy breakfast treat.
- Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an extra pretty presentation.
Pro Tips for the Best Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for the best sweet-tart flavor balance.
- Don’t overmix the batter—just fold until combined for the most tender crumb.
- For even baking, rotate your cake pan halfway through the bake—learn more about oven hot spots.
FAQ: Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle
- Can I use applesauce instead of fresh apples?
- While you can substitute up to half the chopped apples with applesauce, the cake will have a softer texture and less apple chunkiness.
- Can I make this cake ahead of time?
- Yes! Bake and store the cake (without drizzle) for up to 2 days, then top with the drizzle right before serving.
- What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
- Warm individual slices in the microwave for 20 seconds, or cover the pan with foil and heat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
- ½ cup brown sugar (for crumb topping)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (for crumb topping)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (for crumb topping)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (for crumb topping)
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for drizzle)
- 2 tablespoons apple juice (for drizzle)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (for drizzle)
Instructions
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1Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
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2In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
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3In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and sour cream.
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4Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in diced apples. Pour batter into prepared pan.
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5For the crumb topping, mix brown sugar, flour, melted butter, and cinnamon until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the cake batter.
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6Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool. For the drizzle, whisk powdered sugar, apple juice, and cinnamon until smooth, then drizzle over cooled cake before serving.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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