Irresistible Apple Crumb Cake (Soft, Buttery & Cinnamon Kissed!)

Name: Apple Crumb Cake (Soft, Buttery & Cinnamon Kissed!)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup sour cream; 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced; 1 cup all purpose flour (for crumb topping); 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for crumb topping); ¼ teaspoon salt (for crumb topping); ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (for crumb topping); ½ cup brown sugar, packed (for crumb topping); ¼ cup granulated sugar (for crumb topping); 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for drizzle); ½ cup brown sugar, packed (for drizzle); 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for drizzle); 2 tablespoons milk (for drizzle); Pinch of salt (for drizzle)

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Imagine a soft buttery cake cradling tender bites of tart-sweet apples all crowned with a crisp cinnamon crumb that shatters with every forkful. This apple crumb cake fills your kitchen with the smell of autumn and tastes like a hug you can eat. And yes you can make it any time of the year when the craving calls.

Why This Apple Crumb Cake Will Win Hearts

Square slice of apple crumb cake with cinnamon topping and vanilla glaze, served on a black plate with a green apple in the background.

Every bite of this cake hits all the right notes buttery cake warm cinnamon the gentle tang of sour cream and the sweet pop of apples
The crumb topping gives that satisfying crunch that makes you go back for just one more bite
It’s the kind of recipe you can bake on a lazy weekend morning or bring to a potluck and watch it disappear
Best of all it’s simple enough for new bakers yet special enough for the dessert table at a holiday dinner

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake

1 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup sour cream
2 medium Granny Smith apples peeled cored and diced

For the Crumb Topping

1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
½ cup brown sugar packed
¼ cup granulated sugar

For the Drizzle

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
½ cup brown sugar packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons milk
Pinch of salt

Why these work
Granny Smith apples bring a tart bite to balance the sweetness
Sour cream keeps the cake moist and tender
Brown sugar in the topping and drizzle adds caramel warmth
Cold butter ensures a perfectly crumbly topping

Step by Step Instructions

Prep Your Pan & Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F
Grease and flour a 9×9 inch square pan or line with parchment for easy lifting

Make the Cake Batter

Whisk flour baking powder baking soda cinnamon and salt in a bowl
In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy about 3 minutes
Beat in eggs one at a time then stir in vanilla
Add the dry mix and sour cream in turns beginning and ending with dry ingredients
Fold in diced apples gently so they stay in chunks

Mix the Crumb Topping

In another bowl combine flour cinnamon salt brown sugar and granulated sugar
Add cold butter and rub in with fingertips until pea sized crumbs form

Assemble & Bake

Spread cake batter evenly into the pan
Scatter the crumb topping generously over the surface
Bake for 55–65 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean
Cool for 20 minutes before adding drizzle

Make the Drizzle

In a small saucepan melt butter then stir in brown sugar cinnamon milk and a pinch of salt
Simmer for 2–3 minutes until smooth
Drizzle over cooled cake or serve alongside for guests to spoon over their slices

apple crumb cake features tender apple chunks, a cinnamon-sugar crumble

Serving Ideas

Pumpkin Bread to keep the fall flavors going.
Caramel Spiced Apple Cider for the coziest apple-on-apple pairing.
Apple Arugula Salad to balance the sweetness with crisp greens.

Pro Tips for the Best Apple Crumb Cake

Choose tart apples like Granny Smith for the best flavor contrast
Mix the batter only until combined to keep the cake tender
Chill your crumb topping until ready to bake so it stays crisp
Taste your drizzle and adjust sweetness with a touch more brown sugar or milk

Fun Variations to Try

Swirl in caramel sauce before baking for a caramel apple vibe
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping for crunch
Swap drizzle brown sugar for maple syrup for a cozy maple finish
Mix in diced pears with apples for a fruity twist
Use a gluten free flour blend or dairy free swaps for dietary needs

Storage and Freezing

Keep covered at room temperature for up to 4 days
Freeze whole or sliced portions well wrapped for up to 3 months
Warm gently in the oven before serving to revive the crumb topping

FAQ Apple Crumb Cake

Can I use other apples

Yes Honeycrisp and Fuji work but will be sweeter than Granny Smith

Can I make this dairy free

Swap butter for vegan butter sour cream for non dairy yogurt and milk for plant based milk

How do I know it’s done baking

The top will be golden and a toothpick in the center should come out clean or with moist crumbs

Can I skip the crumb topping

You can but you’ll miss that irresistible crunchy layer

Final Bite

This apple crumb cake is the kind of dessert that makes people linger at the table fork in hand savoring every last bite. Bake it for a cozy weekend treat or bring it to your next gathering and watch it disappear. Bake it soon and tell me how it goes in the comments

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Apple Crumb Cake (Soft, Buttery & Cinnamon Kissed!)

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