BEST EVER APPLE CRUMB CAKE

Let’s be honest, sometimes you just crave something warm, comforting, and bursting with apple-y goodness, but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Forget complicated pastries – we’re diving headfirst into an Easy Apple Crumb Cake Recipe that’s so simple, it’s practically foolproof, yet yields a dessert that tastes like it came straight from a gourmet bakery. Get ready to impress everyone (including yourself!) with this incredibly delicious, effortlessly achievable treat.

Gathering Your Apple Crumb Cake Ingredients

Before we embark on this delicious journey, let’s make sure we have all the necessary ingredients. Don’t worry; it’s a pretty straightforward list!

For the Cake:

• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of our lovely cake.
• 1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar: For that perfect touch of sweetness.
• ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, softened: Adds richness and moisture.
• 2 large Eggs: To bind everything together beautifully.
• 1 cup Milk: Keeps the cake nice and moist.
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
• 1 tbsp Baking Powder: For a light and airy texture.
• ½ tsp Salt: Balances the sweetness.

For the Apple Filling:

• 4 cups Apples, peeled and diced (about 3-4 medium): Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are excellent choices.
• ¼ cup Granulated Sugar: To sweeten the apples just right.
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice: Prevents browning and adds a little zing.
• 1 tsp Cinnamon: The quintessential apple spice.

For the Crumb Topping:

• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour: Creates the crumbly texture.
• ½ cup Granulated Sugar: Sweetness and crispness for the topping.
• ½ cup (1 stick) Cold Unsalted Butter, cubed: The key to perfect crumbs!
• ½ tsp Cinnamon: Because you can never have too much cinnamon with apples.

Step-by-Step to Apple Crumb Cake Perfection

Alright, let’s get baking! Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a delightful apple crumb cake in no time.

Prepping is Key:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.
2. Prepare the apple filling: In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, ¼ cup granulated sugar, lemon juice, and 1 tsp cinnamon. Toss well to coat and set aside.

Making the Cake Batter:

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 ½ cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer or electric hand mixer works best, but you can also do it by hand if you’re feeling ambitious!
2. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake.

Creating the Crumb Topping:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and cinnamon for the crumb topping.
2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter needs to be cold for the best crumbly texture.

Assembling Your Masterpiece:

1. Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
2. Spoon the apple filling over the cake batter, distributing it evenly.
3. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apple filling.

Baking to Golden Perfection:

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the crumb topping starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the cake with foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
2. Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the cake to set properly.

Secrets to the Best Apple Crumb Cake Ever

Okay, now that you know the basic steps, let me share some insider tips to take your apple crumb cake from good to absolutely phenomenal!

• Apple Variety Matters: While Granny Smith apples offer a tart contrast to the sweet crumb topping, don’t be afraid to experiment! Honeycrisp, Gala, or even a mix of different apples can add complexity and depth to the flavor.
• Cold Butter is Your Friend: Seriously, for that crumb topping, the colder the butter, the better. It creates those beautiful, distinct crumbs we all crave. If your butter starts to get too soft while you’re working, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.
• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tougher cake. Mix until just combined, and you’ll be rewarded with a tender, moist crumb.
• Lemon Juice is a Must: That little squeeze of lemon juice not only prevents the apples from browning but also brightens the flavor and adds a lovely tang that complements the sweetness.

Serving Suggestions and Delightful Pairings

Now that you have this amazing apple crumb cake, let’s talk about how to enjoy it! A warm slice of apple crumb cake is delicious all on its own, but here are some ideas to elevate the experience:

• A Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream: The classic pairing! The cold ice cream melts slightly over the warm cake, creating a heavenly combination of textures and temperatures.
• A Dollop of Whipped Cream: Light, airy whipped cream adds a touch of elegance.
• Caramel Sauce Drizzle: Because everything is better with caramel!
• A Cup of Coffee or Tea: The perfect accompaniment for a cozy afternoon treat.

Variations for the Adventurous Baker

Feeling creative? Here are a few ways to customize your apple crumb cake:

• Add Nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds can be added to the crumb topping for extra crunch and flavor.
• Spice it Up: Experiment with different spices like nutmeg, ginger, or cloves. A pinch of cardamom can also add a unique and exotic flavor.
• Make it Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for a delicious gluten-free version.
• Add a Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and a dash of vanilla extract for a simple glaze to drizzle over the cooled cake.

Storing Your Apple Crumb Cake (If There’s Any Left!)

This cake is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers (which is unlikely!), here’s how to store them:

• Room Temperature: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator: For longer storage, store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: To freeze, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Beyond Crumb Cake: Apple Recipe Exploration

If you’re on an apple baking spree, and who could blame you, there’s a whole world of apple desserts waiting to be discovered! Perhaps you’d enjoy baking some APPLE BROWNIES for a quick and easy treat. Or, if you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, try making some warm APPLE DUMPLINGS, they are so simple. For a crowd pleasing salad, consider TWIX CARAMEL APPLE SALAD. Are you craving something warm but don’t want to bake a cake? Try COZY APPLE CRISP. For a little variety, consider CRUNCHY APPLE CRISP, or APPLE PUMPKIN MUFFIN, both are equally delightful. The possibilities are endless!

Final Thoughts: Your Apple Crumb Cake Success

See? I told you this Easy Apple Crumb Cake Recipe was a winner! With its moist cake, sweet apple filling, and irresistible crumb topping, it’s the perfect dessert for any occasion. So go ahead, bake up a batch, and enjoy the comforting flavors of fall (or any time of year!). You’ve got this – happy baking!

Best Ever Apple Crumb Cake

This apple crumb cake recipe is easy to make and delivers a delicious, comforting dessert. With a moist cake base, sweet apple filling, and irresistible crumb topping, it’s perfect for any occasion and is sure to impress.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 12

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups all-purpose flour for cake
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar for cake
• 2 large eggs for cake
• 1 cup milk for cake
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for cake
• 1 tablespoon baking powder for cake
• 1/2 teaspoon salt for cake
• 4 cups apples, peeled and diced about 3-4 medium
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar for apple filling
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice for apple filling
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for apple filling
• 1 cup all-purpose flour for crumb topping
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar for crumb topping
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for crumb topping

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Mixing bowls (various sizes)
• Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
• Whisk
• Pastry blender or fork
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula
• Oven
• Wooden skewer or toothpick
• Cooling rack
• Grease and flour for pan

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. Prepare the apple filling: In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, lemon juice, and 1 tsp cinnamon. Toss well to coat and set aside.
3. Make the cake batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
7. Create the crumb topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and cinnamon for the crumb topping.
8. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter needs to be cold for the best crumbly texture.
9. Assemble the cake: Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
10. Spoon the apple filling over the cake batter, distributing it evenly.
11. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apple filling.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the crumb topping starts to brown too quickly, tent the cake loosely with foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
13. Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For the best crumb topping, ensure the butter is very cold. If it starts to soften, chill it in the freezer for a few minutes. Don’t overmix the cake batter; mix until just combined for a tender cake. Experiment with different apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala for a unique flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months.