Print

Easy Moist Apple Crumb Cake with Buttery Streusel

Close-up of a moist slice of apple crumb cake showing tender cake, visible apple pieces, and a thick cinnamon streusel topping.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A simple recipe for a moist apple cake topped with a thick, buttery cinnamon crumb topping, perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 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, peeled, cored, and diced (about 2 cups)
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • For the Crumb Topping:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • For the Optional Drizzle:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan or an 8-inch round cake pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups flour, baking powder, salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a small bowl, mix the sour cream and milk. Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Add the sour cream mixture, mixing briefly. Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix only until no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix.
  5. Gently fold in the diced apples. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
  6. Prepare the crumb topping: In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup flour, brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter pieces using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  7. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the cake batter.
  8. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing it to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. If using the drizzle, whisk together powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer apple flavor, use a mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
  • If you do not have sour cream, plain Greek yogurt works as a substitute for moisture.
  • Make the crumb topping ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonsprout.com/apple-crumb-cake-moist-streusel-recipe/