apple crumb cake

last updated on October 30, 2026

There is nothing better than freshly baked goods in the fall, and this apple crumb cake needs to be at the top of your baking list! A soft, moist vanilla cake gets topped with thinly sliced cinnamon apples and lots of streusel crumb topping. The apple bake in the oven and get nice and soft, and the whole combination tastes like fall.

ingredients needed for apple crumb cake

crumb topping

• 1 cup (130 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (113 g) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (108 g) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

apple cake

• 1/2 cup (113 g) butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups (360 g) plain greek yogurt, room temperature
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups (260 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups apples, peeled and thinly chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

icing (optional)

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 teaspoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• pinch of salt

how to make apple crumb cake

This cake has a few different elements, but each of them are simple and it all comes together really easily. You’ll start by making the crumb topping. Put all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Use your hands to mix everything together until a crumble forms. It should stick together when squeezed in your hand but crumble when run through your fingers. Set aside.

Peel the apples and chop into thin, bite sized pieces then transfer to a small bowl. Toss them with cinnamon then set aside.

Now you’ll make the cake. Place the butter and sugar into a bowl then cream together. Add the remaining wet ingredients and mix until combined.

Add all the dry ingredients and mix together until just combined. We don’t want to over-mix here or you’ll have a tough batter! The batter is thick and gets transfer it to a square pan that is lined with parchment paper.

Transfer the apples on top of the batter, spreading them out evenly and flat.

Sprinkle the crumb topping over the apples so the entire top surface is covered. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30-45 minutes, until the center is set and an inserted toothpick comes out clean (or just with a few crumbs!).

Let the cake cool for 15 minutes in the pan, then carefully remove and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

For icing on top, add all the icing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until combined. If it is too thick, add more milk. If it is too thin, add more powdered sugar. Wait until the cake is completely cooled to add the icing, otherwise it will melt. Slice the cake and enjoy!

best apples to bake with

My favorite kind of apple (to snack on, to bake with) is the Envy apple. It has such a nice taste, it’s crisp and sweet but not too sweet, and it bakes really nicely. If you want some other options, here are my other favorites:

• sweet apples: honeycrisp, fuji, pink lady, gala
• tart apples: granny smith

faqs

How to store this cake for later? If you have any leftover cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place in a ziploc bag. The cake can stay on the counter at room temp for 3-4 days.

How to get a soft, moist cake? There are a lot of ingredients in this cake that make it moist: the greek yogurt and the eggs help make it really soft. The one thing you can do to make sure it stays soft is not over-mix the batter! Once the dry ingredients get added in, mix just until no streaks of flour remain. You don’t want any large lumps of flour, but don’t over-mix!

Can I leave the apple skin on? If you want to leave the skin on the apples, you can, but the skin will make the apples a bit tougher. The apples bake beautifully with the cake and get nice and soft, and leaving the skin on can create a bit of a tougher texture. I would recommend peeling the apples, but it’s up to you!

What pan should I use? My favorite pan to use for baking is the USA Pans 8-inch square baking pan. It conducts heat perfectly and gives great results every time.

other recipes you’ll love

• apple cinnamon pull-apart bread
• apple cinnamon roll cookies
• pumpkin shaped snickerdoodle dough bites
• pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting

apple crumb cake

[category] Dessert

[published] September 10, 2026

[PREP] 30 minutes mins

[COOK] 30 minutes mins

[TOTAL] 1 hour hr

Print recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

crumb topping

• 1 cup (130 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (113 g) butter softened
• 1/2 cup (108 g) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

cinnamon apples

• 2 cups apples peeled and thinly chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

apple cake

• 1/2 cup (113 g) butter softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups (360 g) plain greek yogurt room temperature
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups (260 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

icing (optional)

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 1-2 teaspoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Start by making the crumb topping. Place all the ingredients (flour, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt) in a medium bowl. Use your hands to mix together until a crumb forms. The mixture should stick together when squeezed in your hands, but crumble when you run it through your fingers. Set aside.
3. Peel the apples and slice into thin, bite-sized pieces. Transfer to a small bowl and toss with cinnamon. Set aside.
4. Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to mix until the butter and sugar is completely combined, about 5 minutes. Add the greek yogurt, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined, about 1 minute.
5. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low until just combined, about 1 minute.
6. Grease and line an 8 or 9-inch square cake pan with parchment paper. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and use an offset spatula to spread the cake batter evenly through the pan.
7. Sprinkle the apples on top of the cake batter in a flat layer. Press down gently to adhere to the batter. Crumble the crumb topping evenly across the cake so all the apples are covered.
8. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30-45 minutes, until the center is set (and an inserted toothpick comes out clean, or just with a few crumbs).
9. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully remove and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
10. If you want to add icing on top, add all the ingredients for the icing in a small bowl and whisk until combined. When the cake is fully cooled, drizzle the icing on top. Slice and enjoy!