Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle

Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle brings me back to early bakery shifts; it tastes like tender cinnamon cake with jammy apple pockets and a thick, buttery crumb. It suits brunch hosts and apple lovers who want low-fuss comfort, and it takes about 1 hour 10 minutes start to finish.

Easy Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle

Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle stays simple because the batter uses melted butter and sour cream for moisture, so you skip creaming butter. The crumb topping mixes in one bowl and clumps up fast with a fork. The drizzle stirs together in 60 seconds with powdered sugar and apple cider. You can dice the apples small so they bake through without pre-cooking.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Cake:
  • 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled; use a 1:1 gluten-free blend for GF)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (Saigon cinnamon gives bold flavor)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly (plant butter for dairy-free)
  • 1/4 cup neutral oil (canola or grapeseed; boosts moisture)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature (2 flax eggs for vegan: 2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water, rested 10 minutes)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup sour cream or full-fat Greek yogurt (plain; dairy-free yogurt works)
  • 1 1/2 cups peeled, finely diced apples (Granny Smith for tart bite; Honeycrisp for sweetness)
• Crumb topping:
  • 1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • Pinch fine salt
  • 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted (use plant butter for dairy-free)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• Cinnamon apple drizzle:
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons apple cider or apple juice (start with 2 tbsp; thin as needed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch fine salt
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon very finely grated apple for extra apple oomph
• Equipment:
  • 9-inch square metal pan or 9-inch springform pan
  • Parchment paper
  • 2 mixing bowls, whisk, rubber spatula
  • Fork or pastry blender for crumb
  • Knife and peeler
  • Cooling rack

How to Make Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle

• Prep: 25 minutes
• Cook: 40 to 45 minutes
• Total: about 1 hour 10 minutes

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your pan with parchment and lightly grease the sides.
2. Mix the crumb topping: In a bowl, whisk flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Drizzle in melted butter and stir with a fork until clumps form; chill the bowl while you make the batter.
3. Prep the apples: Peel, core, and dice into small cubes (about 1/4 inch). Pat them dry with a paper towel to reduce excess juice.
4. Combine dry ingredients for the cake: In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
5. Combine wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk melted butter, oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until glossy. Whisk in sour cream until smooth.
6. Bring the batter together: Pour the wet mix into the dry mix. Stir with a spatula until just combined and no flour pockets remain.
7. Fold in the apples gently. The batter will look thick and plush.
8. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
9. Top with crumb: Squeeze the chilled crumb in your hands to form big and small chunks. Scatter them evenly over the batter; add nuts now if using.
10. Bake on the middle rack for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (or an instant-read thermometer reads about 200–205°F in the center).
11. Cool the cake in the pan on a rack for 15 minutes. Lift out with parchment or release the springform, then cool until warm.
12. Whisk the drizzle: Combine powdered sugar, apple cider, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt to a thick, pourable glaze. Adjust with more cider to thin or more sugar to thicken; drizzle over the warm cake and let it set for 10 minutes before slicing.

Expert Baking Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

• Dice apples small so they soften fully without pre-cooking.
• Chill the crumb for 10 minutes to lock in chunky clusters that bake crisp.
• Measure flour by weight or spoon-and-level; too much flour makes a dry cake.
• Use room-temperature eggs so the batter mixes smoothly.
• Do not overmix the batter; stop once the flour disappears to keep a tender crumb.
• Bake until the center hits 200–205°F for a moist but set cake.
• Let the cake cool at least 15 minutes before drizzling, or the glaze can run off.
• Line the pan with parchment for clean edges and easy removal.
• Swap in Greek yogurt if you run out of sour cream; it keeps moisture high.
• Store the drizzle separately if you bake ahead; apply it the day you serve.

Variations

• Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum; check that your baking powder is GF.
• Vegan: Use plant butter, dairy-free yogurt, and flax eggs; choose organic sugar if you prefer.
• Add-ins: Stir in 1/2 cup toasted pecans, walnuts, or oats to the crumb; add 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries to the batter.
• Spice swap: Try apple pie spice or a pinch of cardamom for a cozy twist.
• Fruit swap: Use diced pears for a mellow, floral vibe.

How to Serve Apple Crumb Cake

Serve warm or at room temp with a generous drizzle and a little extra on the side for dunking. Pair with hot coffee, chai, or a cold glass of milk; vanilla ice cream turns it into dessert fast. If you like contrast, add a spoon of tangy yogurt or whipped crème fraîche.

Make-Ahead and Storage

• Make-ahead: Bake the cake up to 24 hours in advance; keep it covered at room temperature and add the drizzle just before serving.
• Room temp: Store covered for 2 days.
• Fridge: Keep slices in an airtight container for 4 days; warm before serving to perk up the crumb.
• Freezer: Wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Reheat: Warm a slice at 300°F for 8 to 10 minutes or microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, then add a fresh swirl of drizzle.

Nutrition Information

Calories: about 490 per serving (12 slices). Protein: around 4 to 6 g per slice. Carbs: roughly 70 to 75 g, mostly from flour and sugars. Fat: about 20 to 24 g, primarily from butter and oil; drizzle adds a small bump in carbs.

Adaly Kandice

Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle

A moist and tender apple crumb cake topped with a buttery cinnamon crumb and finished with a luscious cinnamon apple drizzle. Perfect for dessert or an indulgent brunch.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups peeled and diced apples (such as Granny Smith)

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

 

1. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until crumbly. Set aside.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square cake pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract and sour cream.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
6. Fold in the diced apples.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
8. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter.
9. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool slightly.

1. While the cake cools, whisk together powdered sugar, apple juice, and ground cinnamon until smooth.
2. Drizzle the mixture over the warm cake before serving.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use a mix of sweet and tart apples. The cake is perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.