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–+ servings
Two stacked squares of apple cinnamon coffee cake drizzled with white icing, showing a moist and fluffy texture with visible apple pieces.

Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle

This cozy fall dessert features a tender buttery cake filled with tart Granny Smith apples, a cinnamon-spiced crumb topping, and a warm brown sugar drizzle — perfect for brunch, potlucks, or just a cozy morning at home.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 9 squares
Course: Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Fall Baking
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (for crumb topping)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for crumb topping)
  • ¼ tsp salt (for crumb topping)
  • ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed (for crumb topping)
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (for crumb topping)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (for crumb topping)
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter (for drizzle)
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (for drizzle)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for drizzle)
  • 2 tbsp milk (for drizzle)
  • 1 pinch salt (for drizzle)

Equipment

  • 9×9-inch baking pan
  • mixing bowls
  • electric mixer or hand whisk
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • rubber spatula
  • saucepan
  • cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×9-inch pan or line with parchment.
  2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
  4. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding dry mixture and sour cream to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined.
  6. Fold in diced apples gently until evenly distributed.
  7. Make the crumb topping: mix flour, cinnamon, salt, sugars, and cubed butter until coarse crumbs form.
  8. Spread cake batter into prepared pan and sprinkle topping evenly over it.
  9. Bake 55–65 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool 15–20 minutes.
  10. Make the drizzle: in a saucepan, melt butter. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, and salt. Cook 2–3 minutes until smooth.
  11. Drizzle over cooled cake or serve on the side.

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 4gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 620IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1.4mg

Notes

Use room-temperature butter and eggs for better mixing. Chill the crumb topping before baking for extra crunch. Replace milk in the drizzle with apple cider for more flavor. Store the drizzle separately if making ahead. Let cake cool slightly before adding drizzle to preserve topping texture.

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