Homestyle Apple Crumb Cake with Sweet Drizzle (Print Version)

Bake a comforting Homestyle Apple Crumb Cake with a sweet drizzle. This easy recipe brings warmth and joy, perfect for any occasion.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 60 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 85 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Cake Base Essentials

01 - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 ½ tsp baking powder
04 - ¼ tsp salt
05 - 1 large egg
06 - ½ cup milk
07 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Sweet Apple Filling

08 - 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
09 - ¼ cup brown sugar
10 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
11 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

→ Golden Crumb Topping

12 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
13 - ¼ cup brown sugar
14 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon
15 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

→ Vanilla Drizzle Finish

16 - 1 cup powdered sugar
17 - 2-3 tbsp milk
18 - ½ tsp vanilla extract

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan. I always use a springform for this Apple Crumb Cake; it just makes life easier. In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Give it a good whisk, making sure everything is evenly combined. This is where I sometimes get impatient, but trust me, a well-mixed dry base sets the stage for a fluffy cake.
02 - In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk your egg, milk, and vanilla extract until they're nicely combined. Now, slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined – don't overmix! A few lumps are totally fine; overmixing develops the gluten too much, and we want a tender Apple Crumb Cake, not a rubbery one. I learned that the hard way, ending up with a surprisingly chewy cake once.
03 - Peel, core, and slice your apples into thin, even pieces. In another bowl, toss these apple slices with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a tiny pinch of nutmeg. The aroma alone is just... *chef's kiss*! This is where the magic happens, coating each apple slice in that warm, sweet spice. Don't be shy here; make sure every apple piece gets some love. I honestly find myself sneaking a few spiced apple slices at this point.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon for your crumble. Add the cold, cubed butter and, using your fingertips or a pastry blender, work it into the dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form. This step is crucial for that signature crumbly texture of our Apple Crumb Cake. If the butter gets too warm, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes. I once used butter that was too soft, and it just turned into a paste, not a crumb!
05 - Pour about two-thirds of your cake batter into the prepared springform pan and spread it evenly. Arrange half of your spiced apple slices over the batter. Dollop the remaining cake batter over the apples, then top with the rest of the apple slices. Finally, sprinkle that glorious crumb topping all over. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The kitchen will smell incredible!
06 - Once your Apple Crumb Cake is out of the oven and slightly cooled, it's drizzle time! Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle generously over the warm cake. The warmth helps the drizzle melt just a bit, creating this beautiful, sweet glaze. Let it cool a bit more, or serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Pure bliss, I tell you!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overmix the cake batter; it makes the cake tough.
02 - Store leftovers tightly covered to keep them moist.
03 - Mixing Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples gives the best flavor balance.
04 - Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 9-inch springform pan
02 - mixing bowls
03 - whisk
04 - pastry blender (optional)

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 18g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 4g

Back