Glazed Apple Crumb Cake

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Moist and tender cake
• Loaded with fresh apples
• Crunchy buttery crumb topping
• Easy-to-make vanilla glaze
• Perfect for holidays and gatherings
• Great with coffee or tea
• Freezes beautifully
• Family-friendly recipe

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Baking Time: 50–60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Servings: 12

Ingredients

For the Apple Filling

• 3 medium apples, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

For the Cake Batter

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream

For the Crumb Topping

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup cold butter, cubed

For the Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Choosing the Best Apples

The type of apple you use can significantly affect the final flavor and texture of the cake.

Excellent choices include:

• Honeycrisp
• Granny Smith
• Fuji
• Gala
• Pink Lady

Granny Smith apples provide a tart contrast to the sweet cake, while Honeycrisp and Fuji offer natural sweetness and excellent texture.

For the best results, use a combination of sweet and tart apples.

Step 1: Prepare the Apples

Peel, core, and dice the apples into small cubes.

Place them in a bowl and toss with:

• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Lemon juice

Set aside while preparing the rest of the recipe.

This allows the apples to absorb flavor and release some of their natural juices.

Step 2: Prepare the Crumb Topping

In a medium bowl combine:

• Flour
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Cinnamon

Add the cold butter cubes.

Using a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips, work the butter into the dry ingredients until large crumbs form.

The mixture should resemble coarse sand with pea-sized crumbs.

Place in the refrigerator until needed.

Keeping the topping cold helps create a crisp, crunchy texture during baking.

Step 3: Prepare the Baking Pan

Preheat your oven to:

350°F (175°C)

Grease a 9-inch springform pan or a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Line the bottom with parchment paper for easier removal if desired.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl whisk together:

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cinnamon

Mix well and set aside.

Step 5: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In another large bowl beat:

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar

Mix for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy.

This step creates air pockets that help the cake rise properly.

Add the eggs one at a time.

Mix well after each addition.

Add vanilla extract.

Continue mixing until fully combined.

Step 6: Add the Sour Cream

Add the sour cream and mix until smooth.

Sour cream contributes:

• Moisture
• Richness
• Tender texture

This ingredient is one of the secrets behind exceptionally soft crumb cakes.

Step 7: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.

Mix gently until just combined.

Avoid overmixing, as this can make the cake dense.

The batter should be thick and creamy.

Step 8: Assemble the Cake

Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan.

Evenly distribute the cinnamon apple mixture over the batter.

Spread the remaining batter over the apples.

Don’t worry if some apples remain visible.

The layers will settle beautifully during baking.

Step 9: Add the Crumb Topping

Remove the crumb topping from the refrigerator.

Sprinkle generously over the entire surface of the cake.

Ensure even coverage.

The thick crumb layer is one of the highlights of this dessert.

Step 10: Bake

Place the cake in the preheated oven.

Bake for:

50–60 minutes

The cake is ready when:

• The crumb topping is golden brown
• A toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean
• The apples are tender

If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil during the final 15 minutes.

Step 11: Cool Completely

Remove the cake from the oven.

Allow it to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

This step is important because warm cake can cause the glaze to melt too much.

Step 12: Make the Glaze

In a small bowl whisk together:

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Adjust the consistency as needed.

For a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar.

For a thinner drizzle, add a little more milk.

The glaze should flow smoothly from a spoon.

Step 13: Glaze the Cake

Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle the glaze over the crumb topping.

Use a spoon or piping bag for decorative lines.

Allow the glaze to set for 10–15 minutes before slicing.

Serving Suggestions

This cake is delicious served:

• Warm
• At room temperature
• Chilled

Pair it with:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Hot chocolate
• Apple cider

For dessert, serve with:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Caramel sauce

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature

Store covered for up to:

2 days

Refrigerator

Store in an airtight container for:

5 days

Freezer

Wrap individual slices tightly.

Freeze for up to:

3 months

Thaw overnight before serving.

Delicious Variations

Caramel Apple Crumb Cake

Drizzle caramel sauce instead of vanilla glaze.

Maple Glazed Version

Replace milk with maple syrup in the glaze.

Nutty Apple Cake

Add:

• Chopped pecans
• Walnuts
• Almonds

to the crumb topping.

Extra Cinnamon Version

Double the cinnamon in both the filling and crumb topping.

Perfect for cinnamon lovers.

Cream Cheese Apple Crumb Cake

Add a layer of sweetened cream cheese between the cake batter and apples.

This creates an even richer dessert.

Nutritional Information

Approximate per serving:

• Calories: 420
• Carbohydrates: 56g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 20g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 34g

Values may vary based on ingredients used.

Tips for Success

Use Fresh Apples

Fresh, firm apples maintain their texture during baking.

Keep Butter Cold

Cold butter creates the best crumb topping.

Don’t Overmix

Mix only until ingredients are combined.

Cool Before Glazing

This ensures the glaze stays visible and attractive.

Measure Flour Correctly

Too much flour can create a dry cake.

Use the spoon-and-level method for accuracy.

Final Thoughts

Glazed Apple Crumb Cake is everything a homemade dessert should be: comforting, flavorful, and irresistibly delicious. The combination of moist vanilla cake, cinnamon-spiced apples, buttery crumb topping, and sweet glaze creates a dessert that feels both rustic and elegant. It’s equally perfect for breakfast with coffee, afternoon tea, holiday gatherings, or a cozy dessert after dinner.