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Apple Crumb Cake

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This easy apple crumb cake combines the classic fall flavors of apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon with a sweet powdered sugar glaze. Make this classic apple coffee cake for your next fall breakfast, brunch, or dessert!

apple crumb cake squares with powdered sugar glaze on parchment paper

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

During the fall season, we fill our house with the scent of cinnamon and apples. We usually go to a local apple orchard to pick our own apples, or we buy them in bulk from the Amish or Azure Standard.

When we bring our apples home, it’s time to make all the apple recipes! The ones we make almost every year, over and over are apple crisp, apple dip, fried apples, apple pecan baked oatmeal, apple dumplings, and apple pie. If we have enough apples, I also like to make apple butter and applesauce.

But when you want an apple recipe that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, try this apple crumb cake recipe. This easy apple cake with a sweet crumb topping goes great with a cup of coffee or tea. Or you can also serve it with whipped cream or ice cream.

three squares of apple crumb cake stacked on top of each other

Apple Crumb Cake Tips

  • If you’re wondering what apple variety is best for apple crumb cake, we have found the best results with Granny Smith apples. However, any type of apple will work!
  • Other varieties of apples to try: Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji
  • If the cake seems to be browning too quickly, you can tent some aluminum foil over the top of it.
  • Allow cake to cool completely before slicing into squares.
piece of crumb cake on a white plate

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Supplies Needed for This Recipe

ingredients on a white countertop

Apple Crumb Cake Ingredients

Find the full list of ingredients, amounts, and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  • All-Purpose Flour: Organic and unbleached is my preference, but you can use any type of all-purpose flour. I haven’t tried substituting other flours.
  • Brown Sugar: Pack the brown sugar in the measuring cup for the best results.
  • Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Both of these leavening agents are used in this apple crumb cake.
  • Salt: This is my favorite salt to use for baking and cooking.
  • Large Eggs: You’ll need 3 eggs.
  • Vegetable Oil: I usually use melted coconut oil.
  • Applesauce: Unsweetened
  • Apples: Peeled and chopped apples (we used Granny Smith apples, but you could also use Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji, or your favorite apples).
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds fall spice to this recipe (learn how to make your own ground cinnamon here).
  • Butter: Unsalted butter, melted.
  • Powdered Sugar and Milk: These ingredients are used in the optional glaze.

How to Make Apple Crumb Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease and line an 8″ x 8″ pan with parchment paper.

    four photos showing step by step how to make apple crumb cake

    2. For the cake batter: Add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Whisk just to combine. 

    3. Add the eggs, oil, and applesauce to the dry ingredients. Mix everything until well combined, fold in the apples. 

    4. For the Crumble: Mix flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and melted butter in a medium sized bowl until a soft crumble forms and everything is well combined. 

    four photos showing mixing up crumble and putting into square pan

    5. To assemble: Pour half of the cake batter into the lined pan, spread evenly. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of crumb mix over top. Add the remaining cake batter over top, spread evenly, top with remaining crumble. 

    6. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Let the cake cool 30 minutes before slicing or topping with glaze.

    baked cake

    7. To make glaze, mix sugar and milk together in a medium bowl, adding 1 teaspoon of milk at a time until desired consistency is reached. Drizzle over the finished cake and enjoy!

      apple crumb cake in pan after baking and drizzled with glaze

      How to Serve and Store

      Apple crumb cake is so delicious served with whipped heavy cream or a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream! If you have leftovers, store covered in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

      apple crumb cake cut into squares on a piece of parchment paper

      More Fall Dessert Recipes

      If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please leave a comment with a 5-star recipe rating and let me know! Thank you!

      apple crumb cake recipe

      Apple Crumb Cake

      This easy apple crumb cake combines the classic fall flavors of apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon with a sweet powdered sugar glaze. Make this classic apple coffee cake for your next fall breakfast, brunch, or dessert!
      No ratings yet
      Print Pin Rate
      Course: Breakfast, Dessert
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: coffee cake
      Prep Time: 10 minutes
      Cook Time: 40 minutes
      Total Time: 50 minutes
      Servings: 16 small squares
      Author: Joy Kincaid

      Ingredients

      Apple Cake

      Crumble Ingredients

      Glaze Ingredients

      • 1 cup Powdered Sugar
      • 3-6 teaspoons Milk

      Instructions

      • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line an 8" x 8" pan with parchment paper.
      • For the cake batter: Add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Whisk just to combine.
      • Add the eggs, oil, and applesauce to the dry ingredients. Mix everything until well combined. Fold in the apples.
      • For the Crumble: Mix flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and melted butter in a medium sized bowl until a soft crumble forms and everything is well combined.
      • To assemble: Pour half of the cake batter into the lined pan, spread evenly. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of crumb mix over top. Add the remaining cake batter over top, spread evenly, then top with remaining crumble.
      • Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Let the cake cool 30 minutes before slicing or topping with glaze.
      • To make glaze, mix sugar and milk together in a medium bowl, adding 1 teaspoon of milk at a time until desired consistency is reached. Drizzle over the finished cake and enjoy!

      Notes

      This recipe has the best results using granny smith apples, although other apples such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji can be used. 

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