Cinnamon Apple Crumb Cake Recipe

I recently baked a treat that blends thinly sliced apples, cinnamon, melted butter and vanilla extract into a delightful combination. The addition of a crumb topping made with brown sugar, flour and cubed butter gives a unique texture. My version of Weight Watchers Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake is simply irresistible.

I’ve been experimenting with different cake recipes lately and this Cinnamon Apple Crumb Cake really caught my eye. I started with 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, a teaspoon baking powder, and a half teaspoon salt, mixed with melted unsalted butter and a cup of granulated sugar.

I then beat in 3 large eggs and a couple teaspoons of vanilla extract, which made the batter feel extra rich. The real star is the apples I peeled, cored, and sliced thinly, generously sprinkled with a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.

When I layered them into the batter and added a crumb topping made with 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, cold cubed butter and more cinnamon, I knew I was in for something special. It kinda reminds me of some classic apple cake recipes and even those hilarious morning coffee memes I’ve seen.

I hope you enjoy trying this recipe as much as I did even if it isn’t perfect.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love how the blend of apples and cinnamon gives this cake a really unique, homely flavor explosion. The crumb topping is awesome too – it adds a fun crunch that makes every bite interesting and different. I also dig that it’s pretty simple to make even though it tastes fancy; sometimes a recipe just clicks for me when it’s easy but still super satisfying. Lastly, the way my kitchen smells while it’s baking is simply irresistible, making me feel warm and cozy every time I whip it up.

Ingredients

• Apples: They gives lots of fiber and vitamins which makes them a healthy choice and add a natural sweet-tart flavor to the cake.
• Cinnamon: It bring a warm spicy feel that enhances the flavor and gives the cake a bit of a kick in every bite.
• Flour: Provides the necessary carbohydrates and structure, holding everything together for a soft crumb that isn’t too heavy.
• Butter: Adds richness and moisture, making the crumb topping extra buttery and perfectly textured.
• Eggs: They help bind the ingredients and add protein so the cake turns out fluffier overall.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• For the crumb topping:
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease your baking pan well.

2. In a large bowl, stir together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

3. In another bowl, mix 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 3 beaten large eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until smooth.

4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined—don’t over mix.

5. Fold in the 2 peeled, cored and thinly sliced apples and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

6. Spread the batter evenly in your greased pan.

7. For the crumb topping, in a small bowl combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

8. Add 1/4 cup cold, cubed unsalted butter to the crumb mixture and work it in with your fingers until it forms coarse crumbs.

9. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter in the pan.

10. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean; let it cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated Oven
2. Baking Pan (make sure it’s greased before use)
3. Large Mixing Bowl (for your dry ingredients)
4. Another Bowl (for mixing the wet ingredients)
5. Small Bowl (to mix the crumb topping)
6. Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons
7. Whisk or Spoon for stirring and folding the mixtures
8. Knife and Cutting Board (to peel, core, and slice the apples)
9. Toothpick (to test if its fully baked)

FAQ

Cinnamon Apple Crumb Cake Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you run out of all-purpose flour, you can try using a gluten free blend at a 1:1 ratio, though it might change the texture a bit.
• If unsalted butter isn’t available, go for salted butter and just cut down on the added salt a bit.
• You can swap granulated sugar for coconut sugar, which gives a richer flavor but might make the cake slightly denser.
• For a vegan twist, replace each egg with 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water, let it sit for a few minutes before adding.
• If you don’t have vanilla extract, almond extract can work too, but use only half as much since it has a stronger flavor.

Pro Tips

• Make sure your ingredients are all at room temperature before you start. This helps everything mix together better and prevents any weird texture issues.
• When folding in the apples, be super gentle so they don’t mush up too much. Even chunks make a big difference in the overall texture.
• Keep the butter for the crumb topping really cold and work fast. This helps create that crispy, coarse crumble that contrasts nicely with the soft cake.
• Give the pan a few gentle taps on the counter once you’ve spread out the batter. This little trick helps remove air bubbles and leads to a more even bake.