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
Christine Cancemi says
The best cake I have made. I used a butter cake mix which rose over the apples and crumbs. Sprinkled leftover crumbs on top. So good. Thank you.
Alex says
I am from Germany and we have really good cakes, I have to agree, this is the best one. 😊
Kathy says
Delicious cake. Has anyone tried to get the same results using gluten free flour or blend?
Kan says
At what temp do we have to bake?
Elmore F Lumis says
375 degrees
Ellen Kagan says
Hello I’d love to make your recipe
If I double the recipe what size pan should I use,if I make it the day before can I leave it out or does it need to be refrigerated?
Thank you,
Ellen
Jola says
A very good recipe. We particularly liked the crumbs
Amy O. says
Amazing recipe - thank you so much!
Jan says
Delicious cake, crumble was amazing I'm using that method for all my crumbles now thankyou, going to make 5he Caramel sauce next time too
Jane says
I made this for my husbands BD, he loves anything with apples and wanted to try this cake. Very easy and pleased with the way it turned out, beautiful. I made the Carmel sauce which was delicious. Would make again for sure
JB
Sharon says
I made this once before and it turned out great. The only negative is that there wasn't enough cake batter for my 9" pan. Can you give me a way to increase the amounts to fill a 9" pan or can I bake it in a bundt pan?
Thank you
Lia says
For the cake mixture, is it better to use brown granulated sugar or white?
Carolyn Martel says
Loved the topping +& apple mixture. Felt that the cake wasn’t enough dough to start with.
Beth McCarthy says
Confused on flour amount in topping, so I just winged it, lol 😂
Spencer says
Too much topping. More apple would be good. Don't overmix topping or it becomes like sand.....mountains of dry sand.
Anna says
Hi Spencer! If you read my post, you would know why the crumb topping amount. It won't turn to sand if you overmix. Read my paragraph about making the best crumb topping. I hope this help!
Rachel says
Thank you! X
Rachel says
Hi there,
Can this cake be made a day ahead?
Many thanks,
Rachel!
Anna says
Hi Rachel! It sure can! Happy baking!