Crumbly apple cakes, also known as apple crumble cakes, are a coffee shop staple and they’re the bake of choice for many coffee lovers worldwide. Actually, anyone with a sweet tooth finds this buttery and crumbly treat delicious.

Making a crumbly apple cake is not as hard as it looks. Even the crunchy crumbs topping the cake are easy to make and only call for a few ingredients. The result, though, is gorgeous. This is one of the nicest-looking homemade desserts you’ve made in a while, guaranteed.

Why Make a Crumbly Apple Cake?

Crumbly apple cakes make the most of ripe apples and brown spices to evoke comforting feelings that remind you of home; that’s why so many people love this particular bake — it tastes familiar!

This can become your go-to cake when having family over for dinner, especially during the holidays. Serve it with coffee and watch everyone roll back their eyes in satisfaction!

What Goes into an Apple Crumb Cake?

To make a crumbly apple cake, you must first prepare the crumb topping, made with brown sugar, butter, flour and cinnamon.

Then you need to make the cake, and this one’s easy. Flour, baking soda, salt, brown spices, brown sugar and eggs make the most of the recipe. Sour cream gives moisture, and a creamy mouthfeel to the cake and fresh apples are the highlight.

Although we love folding the diced apples into our dough, some people prefer topping the cake with the apples, and that’s okay. In that case, toss the apples with brown sugar and cinnamon and top the cake with them before baking. Top the apples with crumbs for the best of both versions!

Crumbly Apple Cake Recipe

Servings: 8-12

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 1 hour

Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients:

For the crumbs:

·      1.5 cups brown sugar

·      1 tbsp ground cinnamon

·      1/2 tsp salt

·      2 sticks of butter, melted

·      2 cups all-purpose flour

For the cake:

·      2 cups all-purpose flour

·      1 tsp baking soda

·      1/2 tsp salt

·      1 tsp ground cinnamon

·      1 cup unsalted butter

·      1 cup granulated sugar

·      3 eggs

·      1 cup sour cream

·      1 tbsp vanilla extract

·      1 1/2 cups apples, cut into cubes

Directions:

1.     To make the crumb topping, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Incorporate the melted butter and flour, and mix to form crumbs. Set aside.

2.     Preheat the oven to 350°F.

3.     Grease a square baking pan or tray and line with parchment paper. Set aside.

4.     To make the cake, combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl: flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.

5.     In a bowl, using a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and the sugar until frothy. Incorporate the eggs, sour cream and vanilla.

6.     Mix the dry ingredients slowly to get a thick batter. Add the apples and pour the batter into the baking pan. Top with the crumble mixture.

7.     Bake for 50-60 minutes or until cooked through and allow to cool in a rack before unmolding.