Hi there, fellow food lovers! Join me on Beyond The Bayou Blog for a delightful treat � our Apple crumb cake recipe is sure to make your taste buds sing!
On a cozy Sunday afternoon, with the scent of autumn wafting through the kitchen, I found myself craving something special. So, I decided to whip up a delightful apple crumb cake, perfect for celebrating the season’s arrival. As I tossed sweet apples into the vanilla cake batter and sprinkled on the cinnamon-laced crumb topping, I knew I was in for a treat.
Once the cake was out of the oven, its golden crust beckoned irresistibly. With each bite, I savored the warm flavors of brown sugar, cinnamon, and tender apples. And to make the experience even more delightful, I served it alongside some homemade cookies. With a dusting of powdered sugar icing, it was a heavenly combination that made the autumn afternoon feel even cozier.
So, I�m excited to share this delicious recipe with you all! And hey, when you try it out, I�d love to be your partner in hearing all about your reviews and compliments.
Why I Love This Recipe?
- Tender Cake: This cake is soft and moist, delighting every bite.
- Flavorful Apples: The apples add a flavor that complements the cake perfectly.
- Crunchy Crumb: The crumb topping adds a satisfying crunch, making each mouthful irresistible.
- Perfect Glaze: The glaze gives the cake a finishing touch of sweetness, elevating its taste to perfection.
- Base Recipe Brilliance: The cake’s foundation recipe is a winner, used in various muffins and loaf cakes. It combines oil and butter for a fluffy texture and lasting moisture.
- Yogurt Magic: Greek yogurt brings richness and moisture that lasts for days, making the cake extra indulgent.
- Sweet Secrets: Using granulated and brown sugar gives the cake rise, moisture, and flavor, adding depth to each bite.
How to Make Apple Crumb Cake?
Step 1: Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350�F.
- Grease a 9-inch square pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Making the Cake
- Toss the diced apples with lemon juice.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream the butter and sugars until fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla, then flour and sour cream alternately.
- Gently fold in the diced apples.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
Step 3: Crumb Topping
- Mix the flour, sugars, and cinnamon.
- Cut in the chilled butter until crumbly.
Step 4: Assembly and Baking
- Sprinkle the crumb topping over the cake batter.
- Bake at 350�F for about 50 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake before serving.
You Must Keep These Tips in Mind!
- Pick the Right Apples: Granny Smith or Gala apples work wonders for this recipe. They bring a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Chill Out the Butter: After melting the butter for the topping, let it cool completely. This helps keep the topping just right, not too runny or too thick.
- Keep an Eye on the Browning: While your cake is baking, if you notice the topping getting too brown too quickly, just cover it loosely with some aluminum foil. This trick helps prevent any burnt bits and keeps everything golden and delicious.
- Patience is Key: Once your cake is out of the oven, resist the urge to dive in right away. Let it cool down completely. This helps it set nicely, making slicing into perfect triangles a breeze.
- Dress it Up: Want to take your apple crumb cake to the next level? Serve it with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. Trust me, it’s pure bliss!
What to Serve with Apple Crumb?
Seeking More Variations?
- Gluten-Free Goodness: Wanna go gluten-free? Easy peasy! Just swap regular flour with gluten-free flour for the crumb. But for the cake batter, I’d suggest trying a specific gluten-free recipe, like a Gluten-Free Bundt Cake. That way, you’re sure to nail the texture and taste.
- Buttermilk Switcheroo: No buttermilk? No problem! You can use regular milk mixed with a little vinegar instead. Or try a mix of half sour cream or yogurt and half milk. It’ll still give that lovely tanginess to your cake.
- Almond Awesomeness: Want a nutty twist? Add a dash of almond extract to your batter. It’ll elevate the flavor and add a hint of deliciousness.
- Berry Blast: Feeling fruity? Toss some blueberries into the mix along with your apples. You can even do a mix of both for a burst of flavor in every bite.
- Orange Zest Zing: Give your cake a citrusy kick by adding a bit of orange zest to the batter. It’ll bring a refreshing zing that’ll make your taste buds dance.
How Do I Know It�s Baked Through?
I usually use a toothpick, but you could also use a small knife or kebab skewer. Since the cake will continue to cook in the pan as it cools, you want to capture it just as soon as it’s almost done. Because of the coating of cinnamon sugar, the top of the cake will not change color as much as other cakes. Thus, make an effort to examine with a toothpick for moist crumbs rather than raw batter.
Do I Have to Sift the Flour?
Indeed! Sifting is essential while baking, especially when making cakes. It makes it easier to incorporate into the wet ingredients, avoiding clumps and avoiding the temptation to over-stir, which would result in a tough, rubbery texture.
Apple Crumb Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Knife
- Measuring Cups
- Oven
- Cooling Rack
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- � teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- � cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1� teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups diced apples
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Crumb Topping
- ? cup packed light brown sugar
- ? cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- � cup butter chilled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350�F and prepare a 9-inch square pan with butter or parchment paper.
- Toss chopped apples with lemon juice in a bowl.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in another bowl.
- Cream butter in a mixing bowl, then add sugars and beat until fluffy.
- Mix in egg and vanilla until combined.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream, mixing until just smooth.
- Gently fold in diced apples.
- Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan and sprinkle crumb topping over it. Bake for 50 minutes, then cool before serving.
