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Apple Crumb Cake That’s Perfect for Easy Dessert Recipes

There’s just something about apple cake that makes you feel at home—maybe it’s the warm smell of cinnamon, or maybe it’s the way the apples melt right into the soft, buttery crumb. Either way, this Apple Crumb Cake has all the things I love in a dessert: cozy flavors, simple prep, and a topping that makes people sneak back for seconds when they think no one’s watching. I first made this cake one lazy Sunday afternoon after finding a few sad apples at the back of the fridge—you know the ones, a little bruised, maybe questioning their purpose. Turns out, they were born to be baked into this cake. It’s part coffee cake, part old-school crumb cake, and 100% worth every crumb you’ll find on your shirt after inhaling a slice warm from the oven. If you’re a fan of easy dessert recipes that don’t require a mixer or any fancy ingredients, you’ll probably love this as much as I do. It’s a solid go-to when you want to bake something that feels like a hug. And let’s be honest—cake that works for breakfast too? That’s my kind of multitasking.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Cakes
Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple cake easy, apple crumb cake, crumb cake recipe, desserts with apples, easy cake recipes, easy dessert recipes, fall apple dessert
Servings: 9 squares
Author: Lila

Ingredients

  • 2 medium apples, peeled and chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Topping:
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  3. Add in the melted butter, sour cream, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir just until combined.
  4. Fold in the chopped apples. Don’t overmix—this cake prefers a gentle hand.
  5. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly.
  6. In a small bowl, combine the topping flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until it forms coarse crumbs.
  7. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the cake batter.
  8. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let cool slightly before slicing, but I won’t blame you if you cut into it while it’s still warm.

Notes

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for contrast, or go with sweeter apples for a more mellow flavor. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top doesn’t hurt either.