Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle
Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle is a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert that layers tender spiced apples, a buttery crumb topping, and sweet apple-cinnamon glaze over a moist cake base. Bursting with fall flavor and easy to customize, it's a perfect treat for brunch, dessert, or any comforting occasion.
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Streusel Crumb:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large tart apple or 2 small, peeled and finely chopped
For the Cake:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
For the Apple Cider Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1½ to 2 tablespoons apple cider
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper; set aside.
- To prepare the cinnamon streusel crumb, whisk together the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add the melted butter and vanilla extract, then stir until the mixture is evenly moistened. Set aside.
- For the cake, in a large bowl, cream 4 tablespoons of butter with ½ cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat well, then mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of flour with the baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir just until combined—do not overmix.
- Spread half of the batter into the bottom of the prepared pan (it will be a very thin layer). Distribute the chopped apples evenly over the batter, then sprinkle about 1 cup of the cinnamon streusel crumb mixture on top. Spread the remaining batter over the crumb layer, then sprinkle the rest of the streusel evenly over the top.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, run a thin knife around the edges before removing the springform ring.
- To make the glaze, whisk the powdered sugar with apple cider until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled cake.