The Best Apple Crumb Cake - the apple crumb cake of your dreams, with tons of apples and the best crumb topping ever!
If you are a fan of crumb topping like me, you will love this cake! Just as much as my Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins, Cherry Pie Crumb Bars or the Best Pumpkin Coffee Cake.
APPLE CRUMB CAKE
What is the best part of a crumb cake? Crumb topping! So often you have a crumb cake and just wish there was less cake in it and more (much, much more!) of the crumb topping.I set out to make it all happen! My goal: make a crumb cake with good amount of cake but the best amount of crumb topping. The BEST crumb cake in the world!
It took me three tries to get this cake just like I wanted. And it is glorious! You can actually taste the apples and the cake doesn't overwhelm. Before arranging the apple slices over the batter, I toss them gently in sugar, cinnamon and apple cider vinegar. It helps them cook perfectly between the layers of the cake and the topping. Next, layer the apple slices over the cake batter. Sprinkle crumb topping on top and bake!
How to make Apple Crumb Cake?
- Start by making the crumb topping. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir with a fork until it resembles crumbs. Set aside.
- Prepare the apple layer, by slicing apples and tossing them with lemon juice (to prevent browning) and spices.
- Make the cake batter and pour into a cake pan. Arrange apple slices on top of cake batter.
- Sprinkle crumb topping over apple layer.
- Bake cake until the topping is golden brown.
How to make the best crumb topping?
If you look at my recipe, you will notice that I use melted butter in making my crumb topping. It may sound strange since most recipes for desserts with crumb topping call for very cold butter that gets cut into the flour-sugar mixture. In that case, if your butter is not perfectly cold, it can melt the whole topping over your cake or muffins. Using melted butter prevents this possibility. This recipe if foolproof! I always make crumb topping with melted butter, in bars or muffins, and it always works. The crumb topping here is really shining!
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Tools you need to make this crumb cake:
- 2 mixing bowls
- whisk
- fork
- springform cake pan
Tips for making the best apple crumb cake:
- use granny smith or gala apples
- make sure the melted butter is cooled completely before mixing with topping ingredients
- if the topping is browning too fast, cover it loosely with aluminum foil
- cool cake completely before slicing into perfect triangles
- serve with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream
More Recipes for Desserts with Apples:
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
BEST APPLE CRUMB CAKE RECIPE:
The Best Apple Crumb Cake Recipe
Ingredients
for the cake:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons of milk
- ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup + 2 teaspoons vegetable or canola oil
- 1 large egg
- 2 to 3 medium apples washed, peeled, cored and sliced ( I used Red Delicious and Golden Delicious)
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
for the topping:
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1 and ½ cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Grease and flour an 8" round springform pan. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
to make the topping:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together both sugars, cinnamon, salt and flour. Add melted butter and fluff with fork until mixtures creates crumbs. Set aside.
to make the cake:
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. In a large measuring cup, mix together milk, vanilla, oil and egg. Whisk until smooth.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon. Do not over mix. Few lumps in the batter are okay.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan.
- In a medium bowl, toss together apple slices with two tablespoons of sugar, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and the apple cider vinegar. Set aside.
- Arrange apple slices over the batter.
- Sprinkle crumb topping over the apples covering completely.
- Bake the cake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.
- Let cool completely in the pan.
- Transfer onto a serving plate or stand. Slice and serve.
- Keep in a covered container for up to 4 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Angie says
I’ve made this cake several times and everyone always loves it! Thanks fo sharing this wonderful recipe!
Sherry says
I made exactly as written and it was simple and turned out great!
Sharon says
This cake is delicious! My husband and I have made it several times and it always turns out perfectly. The directions are clear and easy to follow and it is a forgiving recipe for someone like me who generally struggles with baking. It is good for a casual dessert at home or to serve to your most special guests. I highly recommend it.
Michele says
Hello - I’d like to make day before and re-heat next night. Do you have instructions on how best to re-heat? Thank you!
Shannon says
Soooo good! I used a 9x12 cake pan, it seems like there's not enough batter, but it's perfect to create a crust and hold everything together. I used four granny smith apples and then the crumble. I cooked at 375 for 15 minutes and then 350 for ten minutes and it was perfect! We only have a couple of pieces left!
F says
Delicious! Crunchy crumble - I added some crushed peanuts to it - and the flavour & texture overall was simply fab!
Lucinda Strachan says
What could I sun for apple cider vinegar?
Anna says
Hi Lucinda! Lemon juice will work just fine. Hope this helps!
Anna says
My family and I LOVE this recipe. I've made it multiple times. I have never tried making it in a disposable cake pan. I would like to make this but a disposable cake pan is requested. Has anyone used the disposable tin pans?
Bert says
After 35 minutes the cake bottom was not cooked and the apples were not softened at all.
I baked for 35 min 375 .I think it should have a much longer cooking time.
so a little disappointed.
B.
Anna says
Hi Bert! Each oven is different so baking times need to be adjusted. Hope this helps!
Pam says
Great cake but even better crumbs. I’ve always loved the big lumpy crumbs on professional coffee cakes and these were spot on. I recommend going on the heavier side with the apples. This is a perfect fall showcase for apples.
Anna says
Thank you so much, Pam! I'm so glad the cake was a hit!
Susan says
I made this cake yesterday but the crumb topping was too much and quite dry.
Jacqueline OConnor says
Turned out really well. I divided the recipe between 3 4-inch spring form pans. Made it easy to share with neighbors. Baked for 25 minutes.
Katie says
Does this cake freeze well?
Kathy says
Delicious! I even added a little bit of sliced Bosc pear. All those crumbs make for a great cake.
Anna says
That sounds wonderful! Thank you so much for making my recipe, Kathy!
Jo P says
Wonderful!
I don't eat sugar so used a mixture of erithrytol and allulose, the crumb wasn't as crunchy as I expect it should be but the taste was still incredible!
Colleen M. says
This recipe is fantastic!! I made it in a 9” springform pan and it turned out perfectly. The apples were sweet and the cake moist; the buttery crunch of the crumbs really made it amazing!! I wil make this one again and again. ❤️