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The Ultimate Moist Apple Crumb Cake with Buttery Cinnamon Crumble Topping

Close-up of a moist slice of apple crumb cake showing layers of cake, spiced apples, and a thick, golden brown crumb topping.
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Create a truly delicious apple crumb cake that stays moist. This recipe features tender, cinnamon-spiced apples, a soft cake base, and a rich, buttery crumb topping perfect for brunch or a cozy dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 3 medium apples (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for apples)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (for apples)
  • For the Buttery Crumb Topping:
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • For the Optional Cinnamon Drizzle:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan or a 9-inch round cake pan.
  2. Prepare the apples: In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and the nutmeg. Set aside.
  3. Make the cake batter: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the 1 3/4 cups flour and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  5. Assemble the cake: Spread half of the cake batter evenly into the prepared pan. Scatter the seasoned apples over the batter. Top with the remaining cake batter, spreading gently.
  6. Make the buttery crumb topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups flour, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter pieces using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  7. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the cake batter.
  8. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before serving.
  10. Prepare the optional cinnamon drizzle: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon until smooth. Drizzle over the warm or cooled cake just before serving.

Notes

  • For the moistest cake, use room temperature milk and eggs.
  • If you prefer a stronger apple flavor, use tart Granny Smith apples.
  • This cake is excellent served warm with vanilla ice cream for a comforting fall dessert.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/apple-crumb-cake-moist-buttery-topping/