The Domestic Rebel

Everyday Ingredients, Extraordinary Desserts

Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake

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apple cinnamon crumb cake on stack of white plates and green backgroundOne day, I hope to move to New York City.

There’s something so magical about the city. The lights, the energy, the sight-seeing and history, the people-watching, the subway, the amazing food… I just love every single minute I’m there.

…Except for the fact that public restrooms are hard to find. And that thing called humidity.

But to live and breathe in this mystical city, I’d take the humidity any day. And holding it in. Sacrifices, people.

However, whenever I bring this desire to move up to people, everyone has the same thing to say to me, as if I don’t already know.

“But it’s so expensive.”

 

No, really?! Living in the center of the universe isn’t going to be cheap? You mean to tell me that living in the middle of a city, in the heart of everything, won’t be reasonably priced? Do people think I’m dumb?

“And you’ll pay a ton for a closet-sized home.”

Well, hello. I didn’t expect to get a penthouse apartment for $1000/month. This isn’t podunk country town where you could get a sprawling mansion fully furnished for $1000/month. I’m well aware that my living space would be somewhat cramped… and I’m okay with that.

It’s like people are flat-out telling me I’m dumb and I can’t afford it. And if I were dumb and couldn’t afford it, maybe that’d be okay. But honestly? I truly believe you can make anything work, so I’m going to do it… one day. When I’m not broke. 🙂

apple cinnamon crumb cake in a pan with green towelIn the meantime, I’ll try to enjoy sunny (and dry) California as much as possible, where we have amazing apple orchards that produced the apples for this very Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake. This cake is SO amazing, you guys. Fluffy, rich, and PACKED with cinnamon, brown-sugary crumbs. Plus, it’s loaded up with chopped apples for that sweetness.

closeup of apple cinnamon crumb cake on white plates with green towel in abckgroundIf you’re someone who likes the crumb, you’ll love this cake!

Now make it!

apple cinnamon crumb cake on stack of white plates with cake and apples in background*adapted from my New York Crumb Cake recipe

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5 from 3 votes

Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake

This Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake is fantastic! Chunky, soft bits of apples are studded throughout this light and fluffy cake, piled with delicious crumb!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Cakes/Cupcakes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Author: Hayley Parker, The Domestic Rebel

Ingredients

  • FOR CRUMB:
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks butter) melted
  • FOR CAKE:
  • 3/4 cup butter softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1¼ tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • Pinch salt
  • About 2 cups Granny Smith apples peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • FOR GLAZE:
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider
  • About 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Liberally grease a 9-10" springform pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  • First, make your crumb. In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, flour, salt and cinnamon until blended. Pour in the melted butter and stir to combine until moist, large clumps form. Set aside.
  • Meanwhile for the cake, in the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar for about 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, then add in the vanilla and sour cream. Lastly, add in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and salt until a soft, thick batter forms.
  • Spread HALF of the batter into the prepared pan. Batter will be thick, so work with it to spread it out. It'll only be a thin layer. Top with the chopped apples and HALF of the crumb mixture. Top with the remaining cake batter and finish with the remaining crumb mixture.
  • Bake for approx. 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Cool completely in the pan before glazing, then cut into slices.

closeup slice of apple cinnamon crumb cake on white plates with apples in backgroundThis coffee cake is packed with so much amazing flavor. The cake batter itself is buttery, light and scented with nutmeg for that bakery taste. The crumb is huge and plentiful, spiced with cinnamon and brown sugar. And the apples are soft, tender and sweet, adding just the right texture to this beautiful cake. I know you’ll love it – my family did!

Have a sweet day!

xo, Hayley

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Comments

  1. Yummy! I am fortunate to have 2 apple trees still laden with fruit, in our garden. I’ve already managed a Gluten Free apple cake, this cake looks delicious. I love that there is a layer of apples within the cake. Thank you for sharing and I hope you get to live out your dream one day. Sammie x

    Reply

  6. 5 stars
    I love your blog, photos and recipes, but the Caramel Apple Whoopie Pies, very appreciated in Pinterest, leads to a dead link at Michael’s. I wonder if you could post the recipe on this site, or correct the link if Michael’s have changed it.
    Please!?

    Reply

  8. Hayley – I’m a lover of NYC as well. Luckily, my commute to NYC is only an hour and a half. I usually take the train in at least twice a year and see a show or just people watch. 😀 Don’t give up on your dreams. So, this cake, I need to eat the entire thing. 😀

    Reply

  12. I just made this cake. It is out of this world delicious. But I added a small box of flavored Quaker oatmeal to the crumb mixture. I think it added another dimension to the taste.

    Reply

  13. Haley, I am making this as soon as it stops being 90 degrees in Hayward! Looks so delicious. My family (brother) is always asking for apple cake and I think this will be perfect!
    Thanks

    Reply

  14. 5 stars
    This cake is INCREDIBLE… my mom and I demolished it. We ate it with some vanilla ice cream and wow… just wow… thank you very much for this prefect recipe

    Reply

  15. Can I substitute plain yogurt for sour cream? I am not a sour cream fan and don’t have any in my house and want to make this for bfast tomorrow for the fam. Thanks

    Reply

  16. Oh crud. What if I don’t have a spring form pan? I can’t use a pie dish, can I? Ordering a spring form pan on Amazon now for next time!!!

    Reply

    • Hi Katie, a pie dish is far too shallow for this cake. This cake is really tall and large! A springform pan is totally needed for it unfortunately!

      Reply

  17. This cake was delicious! I did cut the streusel by half and baked it in a Bundt pan, using some streusel on the bottom and the rest in the middle. It worked! It took approximately the same baking time and looked good when inverted , though I used powered sugar on top.

    Reply

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