Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle
This Apple Crumb Cake is the ultimate cozy dessert—moist, tender apple cake layered with a buttery cinnamon crumb topping and finished with a warm apple drizzle. It’s easy to make, loaded with real apple flavor, and perfect for brunch, holidays, or a sweet fall treat. The crumb topping adds texture, while the drizzle brings a rich, spiced finish that sets this cake apart from the rest. Serve warm with coffee or vanilla ice cream for a bakery-style experience at home.
Equipment
- 9x13-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls (3)
- Electric or stand mixer
- Pastry cutter or fork
- Small saucepan
- Spatula
- Cooling rack
- Toothpick or cake tester
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1½ cups peeled finely chopped apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- For the Crumb Topping:
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter cubed
- For the Cinnamon Apple Drizzle:
- 1 small apple peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp heavy cream optional
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Make the cake batter: Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, sour cream. Mix dry ingredients separately, then combine. Fold in apples.
- Make the crumb topping: Mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and cut in cold butter until crumbs form.
- Assemble and bake: Pour batter into the pan, top with crumbs, and bake for 55–60 minutes. Cool for 15–20 minutes.
- Prepare the drizzle: In a small saucepan, cook diced apples with butter, sugar, and cinnamon until soft. Stir in cream and salt. Spoon over cooled cake.
Notes
Use tart apples for best flavor balance.
Don’t overmix your batter—just combine until smooth.
Let the cake cool slightly before adding the drizzle.
Freeze undecorated cake and add drizzle after reheating.