This outstanding light, moist cinnamon sugar apple crumb cake is a must-try for apple lovers!
Warm, cozy, and bursting with flavor, this Apple Crumb Cake is the perfect treat for any occasion! Layers of tender, spiced apples are nestled beneath a buttery, crumbly topping, and a soft, moist cake. Perfect with a cup of coffee or as a sweet ending to a holiday meal, potluck, or guests visiting. It might be the best coffee crumb cake I’ve ever had!
The apples in the cake release their juices and make the cake extra moist even though it’s light and tender. And the apples tossed in buttery cinnamon sugar on top of the cake roast in the oven, and cook perfectly. However, we all know the crumb topping is the best part of any cake, and this delicious cinnamon sugar apple crumb topping does not disappoint. It smells like an apple pie baking in the oven, which takes me back to all my childhood memories. So, I love baking things like this all year long.
Why will it be your favorite, too?
Light, tender, moist
Apple-filled cinnamon cake
Sweet, buttery, tender
Roasted apple slices,
Toasted, buttery cinnamon
Sugar crumble topped with
Silky orange icing.
What do I need for the crumb topping?
Granulated sugar makes the topping sweet and helps it get a little crunchy.
All-purpose flour -gives the crumb topping its body, but let me know if you try another flour.
Ground cinnamon -a mild, sweet, spicy note that goes perfectly with apples.
Unsalted butter -cubed to cut into the flour and give the cake a light, flaky texture.
Salt -brightens the crumble and brings everything together.
What are the wet ingredients for the cake?
Unsalted butter -softened and cubed to cut into the batter for buttery moisture. Use a fork or your hands for the best results.
Granulated sugar -sweetens the cake to pair well with the topping ingredients.
Pure vanilla extract -use a good quality since this is the flavor of the cake.
Eggs at room temperature -this keeps the butter from seizing and allows everything to blend together.
Plain yogurt –adds a little tang and so much moisture.
Apple -peel, core, and dice your favorite kind of apple.
What are the dry ingredients for the cake?
All-purpose flour -the base for the cake. Let me know if you use another flour!
Baking powder -It creates bubbles that make the bread light and airy.
Salt -seasons the ingredients for the best flavor.
Zest of an orange -I love the acidic note this adds to balance out the tangy yogurt and sweet sugar.
Ground cinnamon -I keep the flavor profile consistent throughout each component of the cake for the best flavor.
What’s in the apple topping?
Apple -peeled, cored, and diced to cook perfectly and all the way through.
Melted butter -more buttery goodness allows the crumb to form.
Granulated sugar -the sugar caramelizes on the apples and gives them a slight crispness.
Ground cinnamon -dusting for a big cinnamon flavor in every bite.
What are the ingredients for the icing?
Confectioner’s sugar -this is a simple icing with lots of sweet flavor.
Orange juice -the citrus in this icing takes it over the top.
A drop of vanilla extract -optional to add a bit of vanilla to every bite.
How do you make the crumb topping?
Preheat the oven to 350 °F, 180 °C. Add the flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon to a bowl and whisk together. Using a fork or your fingers, press the butter into the flour mixture until it is all crumbly. Refrigerate until ready to add to the top of the cake.
What about the apples?
Dice the apples and place them in separate bowls. Add the melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar to one of the diced apple bowls and toss together until coated. These will be reserved for the topping.
Do you combine the wet ingredients first for the cake?
In the bowl of a tabletop mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until fluffy. Add the eggs and beat until smooth. Then, add the yogurt and beat until incorporated. The mixture will appear separated but will come together once the flour is added.
How do you add the dry ingredients to the wet?
Combine all the dry ingredients into a bowl and whisk together. Slowly add them to the mixer while mixing at low speed. Add the apples and mix for a few seconds, just until they have been incorporated.
How do I add the topping?
Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with butter and transfer the batter to the pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Add the crumb topping to the cake and then top with the diced apples tossed in butter.
How long do I bake the cake?
Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 35 minutes. Then, set aside to cool completely.
How do I make the icing?
Combine all the icing ingredients together in a bowl and whisk them together until smooth. Drizzle the icing over the cooled cake and enjoy. Kali Orexi!
Do you have more crumb cakes?
Lemony Blueberry Loaf Cake with a Crumble Topping
Apple Olive Oil Cake: Greek Milopita Coffee Cake
Watch the Video:
Apple Crumb Cake
Warm, cozy, and bursting with flavor, this Apple Crumb Cake is the perfect treat for any occasion! Layers of tender, spiced apples are nestled beneath a buttery, crumbly topping and a soft, moist cake. Perfect with a cup of coffee or as a sweet ending to any meal, this cake is a must-try for apple lovers!
Ingredients
For the Crumb Topping:
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 oz (113g) unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Cake:
- 6 oz (170g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 apple, peeled, cored and diced
Cake Dry Ingredients:
- 1 and 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- zest of an orange
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
The Apple Topping:
- 1 apple, peeled, cored and diced
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- dusting of ground cinnamon
For the Icing:
- 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- drop of vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 °F, 180 °C.
Make the Crumb Topping: Add the flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon to a bowl and whisk together. Using a fork or your fingers press the butter into the flour mixture until it is all crumbly. Refrigerate until ready to add to the top of the cake.
Dice the apples. Place them in separate bowls.
Add the melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar to one of the diced apple bowls and toss together until coated. These will be reserved for the topping.
Make the Cake: In the bowl of a tabletop mixer that has been fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until fluffy. Add the eggs and beat until smooth. Add the yogurt and beat until incorporated. The mixture will appear separated but will come together once the flour is added.
Combine all of the Dry Ingredients into a bowl and whisk together. Slowly add them to the mixer while it is mixing on low-speed. Add the apples and mix for a few seconds just until they have been incorporated.
Lightly grease a 9 by 134-inch baking pan with butter and transfer the batter to the pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Add the crumb topping to the cake and then top with the diced apples tossed in butter.
Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 35 minutes.
Set aside to cool completely.
Make the Icing: Combine all of the icing ingredients together in a bowl and whisk them together until smooth. Drizzle the icing over the cooled cake.
Kali Orexi!
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