Print

The Ultimate Moist Apple Crumb Cake with Buttery Cinnamon Streusel

Close-up of a thick slice of apple crumb cake showing a dense layer of spiced apples and a sugary crumb topping.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Bake this comforting apple crumb cake featuring a moist, tender base, juicy cinnamon apples, and a rich, buttery crumb topping. It is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Cake: 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
  • 2 medium apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
  • For the Buttery Crumb Topping: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • For the Optional Cinnamon Apple Drizzle: 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk or cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan or springform pan.
  2. Prepare the cake batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding the dry ingredients mixture and the sour cream to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the diced apples. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
  7. Prepare the buttery crumb topping: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the topping.
  8. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  9. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the cake batter.
  10. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center of the cake (avoiding large apple pieces) comes out clean.
  11. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before serving.
  12. If using the drizzle: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the slightly warm or cooled cake before serving.

Notes

  • For the moistest cake, use room temperature sour cream and eggs.
  • If you prefer a thicker crumb layer, increase the topping ingredients by one-quarter.
  • This cake pairs well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbymia.com/apple-crumb-cake-ultimate-moist-recipe/