Spice Crumb Cake With Apples – A Delicious Apple Crisp Cake Recipe

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There’s something unmistakably comforting about the first cool breeze of fall — the kind that sends you searching for a cozy sweater and the warm scent of something delicious baking in the oven. For many of us who love Fall Bake Recipes, that moment is marked by the aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and fresh apples caramelizing into a golden dessert. This Spice Crumb Cake With Apples was born out of that feeling — a blend of nostalgia and the irresistible pull of homebaked sweetness.

Spice Crumb Cake With Apples – A Delicious Apple Crisp Cake Recipe

I remember crisp autumn afternoons spent in the kitchen with my grandmother, where apple peels spiraled into little curls beside a flour-dusted counter. The heavy cast-iron pan would warm the entire kitchen as we whisked, stirred, and sprinkled spiced crumbs over tender apple slices. The air filled with the inviting fragrance of cinnamon and cloves — a scent that could easily rival any candle on the market. That ritual marked the essence of autumn: warmth, togetherness, and anticipation of that first soft bite of cake.

Unlike other apple desserts that often demand hours of preparation, this Apple Crisp Cake Recipe captures everything delightful about the season without fuss. It’s simple, soul-satisfying, and as charming as the falling leaves outside your window. Each slice feels like a loving embrace — moist, spiced, and just sweet enough to remind you why apple desserts are the heart of seasonal baking.

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Moist spice crumb cake with apple layers and crunchy streusel topping on a rustic fall table.

Spice Crumb Cake With Apples


  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 9 servings 1x

Description

A tender, spiced crumb cake layered with juicy apples and a buttery streusel topping, perfect for cozy fall gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter cut into cubes

  • Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

    2. In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar until light and fluffy.

    3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.

    4. In a separate bowl, whisk 2 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

    5. Alternate adding the dry mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, mixing gently until just combined.

    6. In another bowl, toss sliced apples with 1/4 cup brown sugar, white sugar, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon flour.

    7. Spread half of the batter evenly in the prepared pan, then layer the apple mixture on top and cover with the remaining batter.

    8. In a bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cold butter cubes; mix until crumbly.

    9. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter and apples.

    10. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

    11. Let the cake cool on a wire rack for 20 to 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 45 minutes
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Baking
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 slice
    • Calories: 320
    • Sugar: 28
    • Sodium: 200
    • Fat: 15
    • Saturated Fat: 9
    • Unsaturated Fat: 5
    • Trans Fat: 0.5
    • Carbohydrates: 45
    • Fiber: 2
    • Protein: 4
    • Cholesterol: 60

    Keywords: spice crumb cake, apple crumb cake, apple crisp cake, fall bake recipes, apple streusel pie, amazing baking recipes, autumn desserts

    Why This Apple Cake Feels Like an Apple Streusel Pie

    What’s magical about this Spice Crumb Cake With Apples is how it effortlessly bridges two dessert worlds — the heartiness of a crumb cake and the rustic comfort of a classic Apple Streusel Pie. The texture is beautifully layered: velvety cakes infused with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, intertwined with tender bites of baked apples. The crumb topping, buttery and crisp, delivers the same satisfying crunch that makes streusel pies so beloved.

    Biting into it, you get that familiar dance of flavor — the sweetness of brown sugar mingling with tart apple, the soft sponge yielding beneath the fork, and the light crackle of spiced topping on top. It’s like taking the best parts of an Apple Crisp Cake Recipe and an old-fashioned crumb coffee cake, then wrapping them together in the coziest autumn blanket you can imagine.

    The ease of this recipe is another reason it’s such a go-to for Amazing Baking Recipes. There’s no need for pie crusts or elaborate folding — just layer, bake, and let the oven work its magic. When the cake emerges, perfectly golden and slightly caramelized at the edges, your kitchen feels transformed into a warm fall haven. Whether served as an afternoon treat with a cup of coffee or as a dessert centerpiece at a gathering, this Spice Crumb Cake With Apples stands out not just for its taste but for the feeling it brings — home, comfort, and the simple joy of sharing something baked with love.

    Ingredients and Preparation for the Perfect Apple Crisp Cake Recipe

    The Key Ingredients for a Moist and Flavorful Cake

    The beauty of a Spice Crumb Cake With Apples lies in its balance — a tender, buttery base, sweetly spiced apple filling, and a crumbly topping that provides just the right amount of crunch. To make this comforting Apple Crisp Cake Recipe, each component plays a vital role, from the fresh produce to the warmly aromatic pantry staples.

    • For the Cake Base:
      • All-purpose flour
      • Baking powder and baking soda
      • Brown sugar
      • Unsalted butter
      • Eggs
      • Buttermilk or milk with a splash of vinegar
      • Vanilla extract
    • For the Apple Filling:
      • Fresh, firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
      • Brown and white sugar
      • Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves
      • Lemon juice
      • Flour or cornstarch
    • For the Spiced Crumb Topping:
      • Flour and brown sugar
      • Cold cubed butter
      • Cinnamon and a pinch of salt

    These ingredients come together to create layers that taste like Apple Streusel Pie in cake form — fragrant, tender, and flawlessly spiced.

    Kitchen Tools That Make Baking Easier

    Even the best Amazing Baking Recipes shine brighter with the right tools. Preparing this Spice Crumb Cake With Apples feels effortless when your kitchen is organized and ready.

    • Mixing bowls of various sizes
    • Stand or electric mixer
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Rubber spatula and whisk
    • 9×9-inch baking pan
    • Parchment paper
    • Cooling rack

    Grease your pan well, line it with parchment, and use room-temperature ingredients for a smooth, even batter. With everything prepped, you’re ready to layer your way to dessert perfection.

    Step-by-Step Baking Method for an Apple Streusel Pie-Inspired Crumb Cake

    Preparing the Batter and Apple Layers

    Once your kitchen smells faintly of cinnamon and the ingredients are ready, the fun begins — assembling your layers for a perfect Apple Crisp Cake Recipe. Each level brings its own texture and flavor harmony: a buttery base, golden apple center, and crisp crumb top.

    1. Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat softened butter with brown sugar until fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla.
    2. Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices together.
    3. Combine: Add dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately, mixing just until combined.
    4. Prepare Apples: Toss thinly sliced apples with sugars, lemon juice, and spices.
    5. Assemble Layers: Spread half of your batter into the pan, top with apples, then the remaining batter.
    6. Make Crumbs: Mix flour, sugar, butter, and spices for the topping, then sprinkle generously over the top.

    The assembled cake should look delightfully rustic, like autumn captured in one pan — buttery below, fruit-laden in the middle, and golden with crisp crumbs above.

    Baking, Cooling, and Serving for the Best Results

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 40–50 minutes. The rich, spiced aroma will tell you it’s nearly done. When a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with only a few moist crumbs, it’s ready.

    Allow the cake to cool on a rack for at least 20–30 minutes. This rest period sets the structure and enhances the contrast between the moist cake and the crispy topping.

    To serve, dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with caramel, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. However you enjoy it, every bite is the essence of Amazing Baking Recipes — cozy, flavorful, and filled with love.

    FAQs, Serving Ideas, and Conclusion

    Frequently Asked Questions About Spice Crumb Cake With Apples

    Can I use other fruits instead of apples?
    Yes! Substitute with pears, peaches, or berries — adjust sugar levels based on their sweetness.

    How do I store leftover crumb cake?
    Cool completely, then wrap tightly. Store at room temperature for two days or refrigerate for up to five.

    Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
    Bake a day before, refrigerate, and rewarm gently before serving to revive its fresh-baked taste.

    What types of apples work best?
    Choose firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the perfect texture and balance.

    Is this cake freezer-friendly?
    Yes. Let it cool, wrap securely, and freeze up to two months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

    A Dessert Worth Baking Again and Again

    A Spice Crumb Cake With Apples captures everything we celebrate about fall — warmth, comfort, and flavorful simplicity. Each bite carries the perfume of cinnamon and browned butter, inviting you to slow down and savor a homemade moment. It’s the best of both worlds: the texture of a crumb cake and the taste of an Apple Streusel Pie, without the effort of pie crust.

    This treat isn’t just a dessert; it’s a fall tradition in the making. Whether you share it at family gatherings, serve it for brunch, or enjoy it quietly with a cup of tea, it promises the nostalgic comfort of home and the timeless charm of the season. Bake it once, and you’ll return to it every year — a sweet reminder that simplicity and spice make the most memorable moments.

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