Easy Apple Crumb Cake
Apple Crumb Cake is a soft cinnamon snack cake layered with chopped green apple and buttery brown sugar crumbs in the middle and on top. It’s worth making because every slice has tender cake, tart apple pieces, and sweet crumb topping without needing anything fancy from the store. The batter comes together with basic pantry ingredients, then gets finished with a quick vanilla glaze because apparently cake needed accessories.
Before You Get Started
Use softened butter for both the cake and the crumb topping. Cold butter won’t cream smoothly into the cake batter, and melted butter can make the crumb topping too soft instead of crumbly.
Peel and chop the apple before you start mixing so it’s ready to go when you layer the cake. Keep the apple pieces small and fairly even so they soften nicely in the center.
When spreading the second layer of batter over the apples and crumbs, don’t worry if it looks a little rustic. The batter is thick, and that’s normal. Drop it in small spoonfuls over the top, then gently spread it out.
What You Need To Make Apple Crumb Cake
All exact amounts are listed in the recipe card below. Here’s what you’ll be working with:
- Butter for the cake and crumb topping. It keeps the cake soft and gives the crumbs that rich, buttery texture.
- Granulated sugar and brown sugar to sweeten the cake and add a little deeper flavor.
- Egg to help the cake hold together.
- Vanilla extract for warm, simple flavor in both the cake and glaze.
- All-purpose flour for the cake batter and crumb topping.
- Salt to balance the sweetness.
- Baking powder to help the cake rise.
- Cinnamon for cozy flavor in the cake and topping.
- Milk to loosen the batter and keep the cake tender.
- Green apple for a tart, tender layer in the middle.
- Powdered sugar for the glaze.
- Nonstick spray to help the cake release cleanly from the pan.
You’ll also need measuring cups and spoons, a cutting board, knife, large bowl and electric mixer or stand mixer, an 8×8 inch baking pan, parchment paper, silicone spoon, medium bowl, fork, small bowl, and spoon.
How To Make Apple Crumb Cake
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly coat it with nonstick spray. Set it aside.
Peel and chop the apple into small pieces.
In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
Mix in the flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon until combined. Add the milk and beat until a smooth, thick batter forms.
Spread half of the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Scatter the chopped apple over the batter in an even layer.
In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon for the crumb topping. Use a fork to cut the butter into the mixture until crumbs form.
Sprinkle half of the crumb topping over the apples.
Spread the remaining batter over the apple and crumb layer. Sprinkle the remaining crumb topping over the top.
💡 Tip: Drop the top layer of batter in small spoonfuls across the pan before spreading. It makes it much easier to cover the apples and crumbs without dragging the underlying crumb layer around!
Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool. In a small bowl, stir together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cake before slicing and serving.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use a different kind of apple?
Yes! Green apples work well because they’re tart and firm, but Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, or Gala would also work. Softer apples may bake down a little more, but the cake will still taste great.
Do I have to peel the apple?
Peeling gives the cake a softer texture, especially since the apple is layered in the middle. If you like a little extra texture, you can leave the peel on. Just chop the apple small so it bakes evenly.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes. This cake is a good make-ahead option because it stays soft after baking. You can make it the day before serving and glaze it once it has cooled.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes. Double the ingredients and bake it in a 9×13 inch pan. The bake time may be a little longer, so start checking around 45 minutes and continue baking until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Why is my crumb topping more like paste?
The butter may have been too soft or melted. You want softened butter, not greasy or liquid butter. Use a fork to work it into the flour and brown sugar until it forms crumbly pieces.
How do I know when the cake is done?
The top should look set, the crumb topping should be lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If it has wet batter on it, keep baking a few more minutes.
Apple Crumb Cake
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Large bowl
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- 8×8 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Silicone spoon
- Medium bowl
- Fork
- Small bowl
- Spoon
Ingredients
Cake:
- ½ cup 1 stick butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 large green apple peeled and chopped
Crumb Topping:
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Glaze:
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly coat with nonstick spray; set aside.
- Peel and chop the apple.
- Beat together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer until smooth and creamy. Mix in the flour, salt, and baking powder until combined.
- Add the milk and beat until a smooth batter forms.
- Spread half the batter evenly in the prepared pan, then layer the chopped apples on top.
- For the crumb topping, combine butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Cut the butter into the mixture until it forms crumbs. Sprinkle half of the crumbs over the apples.
- Spread the remaining batter evenly over the apples and crumbs, then top with the rest of the crumb mixture.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool, then prepare the glaze and drizzle over the cake before serving.