What is apple crumb cake?

Apple crumb cake is a moist coffee cake topped with a thick layer of buttery cinnamon crumb streusel and filled or topped with fresh apples. It combines tender cake batter, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, and a crunchy topping made from flour, brown sugar, butter, and spices. Perfect for fall baking, it serves 8-12 people and takes about 1 hour total. Unlike smooth cheesecakes, the crumb adds texture contrast. Bake at 350°F for even results. Pair with vanilla ice cream for dessert or enjoy warm for breakfast. This treat highlights seasonal apples while keeping prep simple with basic pantry staples.

What are the best apples for apple crumb cake?

Choose firm, tart apples that hold shape during baking to avoid mushy texture. Top picks include Granny Smith for bright acidity, Honeycrisp for sweet-tart balance, or Braeburn for crispness. Peel and slice into 1/4-inch pieces, about 3-4 medium apples for a 9x13 pan. Toss slices in lemon juice and cinnamon before layering to prevent browning and boost flavor. Avoid soft varieties like Red Delicious, which turn soggy. For variety, mix two types. This ensures juicy bites in every forkful. Prep tip: Core and slice apples right before assembly to maintain freshness.

How do I store apple crumb cake?

Store cooled apple crumb cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate in a covered dish up to 5 days; the crumb stays crisp if you avoid stacking. Freeze slices wrapped in plastic and foil for up to 3 months—thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat at 300°F for 10 minutes to revive texture. Microwave briefly for quick warm-up, but oven is best for even heating. Note: Apples release moisture over time, so consume within a week. Label containers with dates for easy tracking.

Can I make apple crumb cake in advance?

Yes, assemble the cake up to 24 hours ahead: prepare batter and crumb topping separately, store in fridge, then bake fresh. Or bake fully and cool completely before wrapping tightly for up to 2 days at room temp. Freezing unbaked or baked cake works too—thaw before baking or serving. This method saves time for gatherings. Pro tip: Chill crumb topping briefly if it softens, ensuring it bakes golden and crunchy. Flavors deepen after a day, making it ideal for potlucks. Always bring to room temp before slicing for clean cuts.

What's an easy apple crumb cake recipe for beginners?

Start with a 9x13 pan greased and floured. Whisk 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt for batter. Beat 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup sour cream; fold in dry ingredients. Spread half in pan, add 3 sliced apples tossed in 1 tbsp sugar and cinnamon, top with remaining batter. For crumb: mix 1.5 cups flour, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup butter until pebbly; sprinkle over. Bake 350°F for 45-50 minutes until toothpick clean. Cool 20 minutes before cutting. Yields 12 servings, ready in under an hour.

Easy Apple Crumb Cake Recipe Moist Streusel Topping

Name: Apple Crumb Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: – 2 cups all-purpose flour; – 1 tsp baking powder for rising; – 1/2 tsp salt for balancing; – 1 cup granulated sugar for sweetening; – 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened for moist crumb; – 2 large eggs for binding; – 1 tsp vanilla extract for aroma; – 1 cup sour cream for moisture; – 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick for tartness; – 1 tbsp granulated sugar for caramelization; – 1 tsp ground cinnamon for apples; – 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour for streusel; – 3/4 cup brown sugar for streusel; – 1 tsp ground cinnamon for streusel; – 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed for streusel

Description

🍎 Experience the perfect blend of tender apples and moist cake topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel that creates an irresistible dessert for any occasion
🌟 This easy-to-follow recipe delivers bakery-quality results with minimal effort, making it perfect for both beginner bakers and experienced cooks

Ingredients

– 2 cups all-purpose flour

– 1 tsp baking powder for rising

– 1/2 tsp salt for balancing

– 1 cup granulated sugar for sweetening

– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened for moist crumb

– 2 large eggs for binding

– 1 tsp vanilla extract for aroma

– 1 cup sour cream for moisture

– 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick for tartness

– 1 tbsp granulated sugar for caramelization

– 1 tsp ground cinnamon for apples

– 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour for streusel

– 3/4 cup brown sugar for streusel

– 1 tsp ground cinnamon for streusel

– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed for streusel

Instructions

1- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan.

2-First Step: Prepare the batter dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. Set aside. This ensures even rising and no lumps later.

3-Second Step: Mix the wet batter ingredients. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup softened butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add 2 eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in 1 tsp vanilla and 1 cup sour cream until smooth. The mixture should be creamy.

4-Third Step Fold dry ingredients into wet just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender. Batter will be thick, like muffin batter.

5-Fourth Step: Prep apples. Peel and slice 3 medium apples into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Toss with 1 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon. This prevents browning and adds flavor. Set aside. Firm apples like Granny Smith hold shape best.

6-Fifth Step: Create streusel. In another bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 tsp cinnamon. Cut in 1/2 cup cold butter cubes with a fork or pastry blender until pebbly and crumbly. Chill 10 minutes if soft.

7-Sixth Step: Assemble the cake. Spread half the batter in the prepared pan. Layer apple slices evenly. Top with remaining batter, gently spreading. Sprinkle all streusel over top, pressing lightly.

8-Seventh Step: Bake. Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes. Check with toothpick in center; it should come out clean or with moist crumbs. Cool in pan 20 minutes on wire rack.

9-Final Step: Serve. Cut into squares. Enjoy warm with coffee or topped with vanilla ice cream. Store leftovers as below. For extra shine, dust with powdered sugar.

Notes

🍎 Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor that won’t turn mushy during baking
🌡️ For extra moist cake, don’t overmix the batter and make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before starting
💾 Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze individual slices for up to 3 months for quick treats

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 320
Sugar: 24g
Sodium: 280mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 55mg

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