🍎Easy Apple Crumb Cake – Topped with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle and Full of Cozy Fall Flavor

This Apple Crumb Cake is the kind of treat that makes your whole kitchen smell like a hug. With a soft, buttery cake base, a thick layer of cinnamon-sugar streusel, and a sweet apple drizzle poured on top, every bite is bursting with warmth and comfort. It’s like an apple pie and a coffee cake had a delicious, cozy baby—and it’s perfect for brunch, dessert, or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up.

Whether you’re baking for guests or just want something extra special with your cup of coffee, this crumb cake never disappoints.

🍰 Why You’ll Love This Apple Crumb Cake

• Super moist and full of tender apples
• That golden cinnamon crumb topping is irresistible
• The warm apple drizzle takes it over the top
• Perfect make-ahead option for breakfast or dessert
• A cozy treat that’s easy enough for any day

📝 Apple Crumb Cake Recipe

Servings: 9 squares
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Calories: ~320 per serving

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup milk
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup finely chopped apples (peeled if desired)

the Crumb Topping:

• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3 tbsp cold butter, cut into pieces

For the Cinnamon Apple Drizzle:

• 1 small apple, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1–2 tsp milk (to thin if needed)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In another bowl, mix sour cream, milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry just until combined, then fold in the chopped apples. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top.

In a small bowl, mix the crumb topping ingredients with your fingers or a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the cake batter.

Bake for 38–42 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. While the cake cools slightly, make the drizzle: melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stir in chopped apple, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook for 3–5 minutes until the apples are soft and mixture is bubbling. Stir in a little milk if you want a thinner glaze.

Spoon the warm apple drizzle over the cooled or slightly warm cake before serving.

🍂 Tips & Variations

• Use any variety of sweet or tart apples you love
• Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumb topping for crunch
• Serve warm with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Make it ahead and warm individual slices in the microwave
• Swap sour cream with plain yogurt if needed

🍎 Apple Crumb Cake – Topped with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 9 servings

Calories: 360

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cake:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ cups peeled diced apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)

Crumb Topping:

• ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ cup cold unsalted butter cubed
• Cinnamon Apple Drizzle:
• ½ cup diced apples
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• Splash of water

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking dish.
2. Make the crumb topping: In a small bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter with a fork until mixture is crumbly. Chill while preparing cake.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. In a large bowl, beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in sour cream and vanilla.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet until just combined. Fold in diced apples.
6. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with crumb topping.
7. Bake for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. While baking, make the drizzle: In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook apples, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a splash of water until apples are tender and the mixture is syrupy, about 5–7 minutes.
9. Let cake cool slightly before drizzling warm cinnamon apple sauce over the top.

Notes

This cake is delicious warm or at room temperature.

Store leftovers covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Serve with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or an extra spoonful of drizzle for indulgence.

Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping for a crunchy twist.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🍏 A Sweet Slice of Comfort

Apple Crumb Cake is everything you love about fall baking—rich, soft, spiced, and a little indulgent. The buttery crumb topping and warm apple drizzle make this treat unforgettable. Serve it with coffee, tea, or just a quiet moment to yourself. You deserve it.