Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle Recipe

There’s something magical about the aroma of cinnamon and apples baking together. This Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle captures that perfect autumn essence in every bite. I’ve been making this recipe for years, and it never fails to impress guests or satisfy my family’s sweet tooth.

The combination of tender cake studded with apple chunks, topped with a buttery crumb layer, creates the perfect texture contrast. What sets this recipe apart is the finishing touch—a warm cinnamon apple drizzle that soaks into every crevice. The result is a dessert that’s neither too sweet nor too heavy.

I love how this cake works for multiple occasions. Whether you’re hosting a fall dinner party, need a potluck contribution, or simply want to fill your kitchen with heavenly scents, this recipe delivers. The best part? It uses simple pantry staples that you likely already have on hand.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Crumb Cake

Perfect Texture Balance: The soft, moist cake contrasts beautifully with the crunchy crumb topping. Each forkful gives you multiple textures that keep every bite interesting.

Incredible Aroma: Your entire house will smell like a cozy bakery while this bakes. The combination of cinnamon, vanilla, and fresh apples creates an irresistible fragrance.

Crowd-Pleaser: I’ve served this to dozens of people over the years. Even those who claim they don’t like apple desserts ask for the recipe.

Make-Ahead Friendly: This cake actually improves overnight as the flavors meld together. Perfect for busy hosts who want to prep dessert in advance.

Customizable: The base recipe is fantastic, but you can easily add your own touches. Chopped walnuts, a hint of cardamom, or even a layer of caramel sauce work beautifully.

The secret to achieving the perfect crumb topping lies in keeping your butter cold. I cube it straight from the refrigerator and work quickly to maintain those distinct butter pieces. This technique ensures you get those coveted chunky crumbs rather than a uniform paste.

Ingredients

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 60 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12-16 slices | Difficulty: Easy

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Cake Batter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). I always grease my 9×9-inch square pan with butter, then dust it lightly with flour. This double protection ensures easy removal later.

Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside while you work on the wet ingredients.

Step 2: Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes. The mixture should become light and fluffy—this step is crucial for cake texture.

Pro tip: If your butter isn’t properly softened, cut it into small pieces and microwave for 10-15 seconds. Avoid melting it completely.

Step 3: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Pour in the vanilla extract and mix until combined. The mixture might look slightly curdled at this point—that’s normal.

Step 4: Alternate adding the dry ingredients and sour cream to the butter mixture. Begin with one-third of the flour mixture, then half the sour cream, another third of flour, remaining sour cream, and finally the last of the flour. Mix just until combined—overmixing creates tough cake.

Step 5: Gently fold in the diced apples using a large spoon or spatula. The apple pieces should be evenly distributed but not broken down.

Creating the Perfect Crumb Topping

The crumb topping separates good apple cake from extraordinary apple cake. Here’s how to nail it every time.

Step 6: In a separate bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, salt, and both sugars. Add the cold, cubed butter pieces.

Step 7: Use a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients. Stop when the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining.

Step 8: Spread the cake batter evenly in your prepared pan. Sprinkle the crumb mixture uniformly over the top, covering the entire surface.

Baking to Perfection

Step 9: Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 10: Cool the cake in the pan for 15-20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This prevents the cake from falling apart while still warm.

Making the Cinnamon Apple Drizzle

While the cake cools, prepare the finishing touch that makes this recipe truly special.

Step 11: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, and salt.

Step 12: Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes smooth and glossy. The drizzle should coat the back of a spoon lightly.

Step 13: Drizzle the warm sauce over the cooled cake. I like to use a spoon and let it pool slightly before spreading with the back of the spoon.

Serving Suggestions

This cake shines on its own, but these additions make it extra special:

• With vanilla ice cream: The temperature contrast is divine
• Alongside coffee or tea: Perfect afternoon treat
• With fresh whipped cream: Adds lightness to balance the richness
• Warmed slightly: A 20-second microwave stint makes it feel freshly baked

Pro Tips, Variations & FAQs

Expert Tips for Success

After making this cake countless times, I’ve learned several tricks that guarantee perfect results every time.

Apple Selection: Granny Smith apples are my go-to choice because their tartness balances the cake’s sweetness. They also hold their shape well during baking without becoming mushy.

Temperature Matters: Room temperature ingredients mix more easily and create better texture. Take eggs and sour cream out 30 minutes before baking.

Don’t Overbake: The cake continues cooking slightly after removing from the oven. A few moist crumbs on your toothpick indicate perfect doneness.

Drizzle Timing: Apply the drizzle while it’s still warm for the best absorption. Cold drizzle sits on top rather than soaking in.

Recipe Variations

Nutty Crumb Cake: Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping for extra crunch and flavor.

Caramel Apple Version: Swirl 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce into the batter before adding apples, and use caramel sauce in place of the drizzle.

Spiced Enhancement: Add ¼ teaspoon each of nutmeg and ginger to both the cake and crumb topping for deeper warmth.

Mixed Fruit: Replace one apple with a pear for interesting flavor variation and added moisture.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

This cake keeps beautifully at room temperature for up to 4 days when covered tightly. For longer storage, wrap individual slices and freeze for up to 3 months.

I often make this cake a day ahead for parties. The flavors actually improve overnight as they have time to meld together. Just store covered at room temperature and add the drizzle before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute the sour cream? Yes, Greek yogurt works well as a 1:1 replacement. You can also use buttermilk, though the texture will be slightly different.

What if I don’t have brown sugar for the drizzle? Regular granulated sugar works, though you’ll lose some of the caramel depth. Add an extra pinch of cinnamon to compensate.

Can I make this cake gluten-free? Absolutely! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. The texture will be slightly denser but still delicious.

How do I prevent the apples from sinking? Toss the diced apples in a tablespoon of flour before folding into the batter. This helps them stay suspended throughout the cake.

Can I double this recipe? Yes, but use a 9×13-inch pan and increase baking time by 10-15 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle represents everything I love about home baking. It’s approachable enough for beginning bakers yet sophisticated enough to impress guests. The combination of textures and flavors creates a dessert that feels both familiar and special.

Every time I make this cake, I’m reminded why simple recipes often produce the most satisfying results. Quality ingredients, proper technique, and a little love create something far greater than the sum of its parts.

Whether you’re celebrating autumn, hosting friends, or simply treating your family to something special, this recipe delivers every single time. I hope it brings as much joy to your kitchen as it has to mine.

Enjoy your homemade Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle!

Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle

A moist apple cake topped with buttery crumb topping and finished with a warm cinnamon apple drizzle. Perfect fall dessert that’s easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 slices

Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients

  

• Cake Base:
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 medium apples peeled, cored, and chopped (preferably Granny Smith)
• Crumb Topping:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
• ½ cup brown sugar packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• Cinnamon Apple Drizzle:
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

 

• Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch square baking pan with butter and dust with flour.
• Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
• Cream butter and sugar: Using an electric mixer, cream softened butter and granulated sugar for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs and vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
• Combine wet and dry ingredients: Alternate adding the dry ingredients and sour cream to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
• Fold in apples: Gently fold in the diced apples using a large spoon or spatula.
• Make crumb topping: In a separate bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, salt, and both sugars. Add cold, cubed butter and work with pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
• Assemble cake: Spread cake batter evenly in prepared pan. Sprinkle crumb mixture uniformly over the top.
• Bake: Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with few moist crumbs.
• Cool: Let cake cool in pan for 15-20 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
• Make drizzle: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, and salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until smooth and glossy.
• Finish and serve: Drizzle warm sauce over cooled cake. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed.

Notes

Apple choice: Granny Smith apples work best due to their tartness and ability to hold shape during baking.
Butter temperature: Keep butter for crumb topping cold to achieve proper texture. Cake butter should be at room temperature.
Storage: Store covered at room temperature for up to 4 days. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Make-ahead tip: Cake improves overnight as flavors meld. Add drizzle before serving.
Variations: Add ½ cup chopped nuts to crumb topping, or substitute one apple with a pear for mixed fruit version.
Troubleshooting: If apples sink, toss diced apples in 1 tablespoon flour before folding into batter.

Keyword apple crumb cake, cinnamon apple drizzle