The Best Caramel Apple Crumb Cake: A Fall Favorite with Crumbly Topping and Sweet Caramel Drizzle
Prepare to fall in love with this incredibly delicious Caramel Apple Crumb Cake! Imagine a soft, tender cake base infused with warm, aromatic apples and a hint of cinnamon, crowned with an abundance of buttery, sweet crumbs. To truly elevate this masterpiece, everything is finished with a generous drizzle of homemade (or store-bought) caramel sauce and a delicate icing. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that captures the very essence of autumn in every bite.
Much like other beloved treats such as glazed doughnuts, pull-apart monkey bread, apple danish, or maple walnut coffee cake, this recipe boasts incredible versatility. It’s the kind of comforting dessert that effortlessly transitions from a delightful breakfast pastry to an indulgent after-dinner treat. Its rich, satisfying profile makes it suitable for almost any occasion, from casual family brunches to festive holiday gatherings.
For a perfect morning start, serve your slice of apple crumb cake with a steaming cup of tea or a frothy caramel macchiato coffee. The tender cake and spiced apples offer a wonderful balance to your favorite hot beverage. When evening calls for something sweet, transform it into an unforgettable dessert by pairing it with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The warm cake melting into the cold ice cream creates an experience that’s simply divine.
The Irresistible Allure of Apple Crumb Cake
There’s something inherently magical about baking with apples, especially as the crisp air of autumn settles in. In our home, apples are a cherished staple. You’ll consistently find an abundance of them, particularly after our annual apple picking adventures in the Fall. While they make fantastic, healthy snacks straight from the fruit bowl, their true potential often shines in heartwarming baked goods. This Caramel Apple Crumb Cake is a prime example of turning simple apples into an extraordinary culinary delight.
This recipe transforms fresh apples into a moist, flavorful cake that’s anything but ordinary. It features layers of tender cake, generously studded with perfectly cooked apple chunks, all enveloped in warm cinnamon spices. The star, however, might just be the glorious crumb topping – a buttery, sweet, and slightly crunchy streusel that adds an incredible textural contrast. And let’s not forget the finishing touch: a decadent caramel drizzle that brings all the elements together. With its irresistible combination of crumbly streusel, a rich cinnamon apple filling, and sweet caramel, this apple cake is truly a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for a second slice.
Essential Ingredients for Your Caramel Apple Crumb Cake
Crafting the perfect caramel apple crumb cake starts with selecting high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the desired texture and flavor. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some tips for selection:
- Apples: For baking, aim for varieties that hold their shape and offer a good balance of sweet and tartness. While Gala apples are a fantastic go-to for their consistent flavor and texture in this recipe, you can experiment with others like Honeycrisp, Fuji, Granny Smith (for a tarter kick), or even a blend of two for complexity. The key is to peel and dice them evenly for consistent cooking.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of both the cake and the crumb topping. Ensure it’s sifted for a lighter texture in the cake.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deeper, caramel-like flavor to both the cake and the crumb topping. Always pack it firmly when measuring.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve that lovely golden-brown crust on the crumb topping.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors, preventing the cake from tasting flat.
- Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These warm spices are the heart of the fall flavor profile. They complement the apples beautifully. Alternatively, simplify things by using a good quality apple pie spice blend for the perfect autumnal mix.
- Unsalted Butter: Crucial for both the rich crumb topping (melted) and the tender cake (room temperature). Using unsalted butter gives you full control over the salt content. If you only have salted butter, simply reduce the amount of salt called for in the recipe by half.
- Vanilla Extract: Always opt for 100% pure vanilla extract. Its deep, aromatic flavor is indispensable in enhancing the overall sweetness and complexity of the cake.
- Baking Soda: A leavening agent that reacts with acidic ingredients (like sour cream) to create a light and airy crumb.
- Baking Powder: Another leavening agent that provides additional lift, ensuring your cake is beautifully risen and tender.
- Eggs: Large eggs bind the ingredients, add richness, and contribute to the cake’s structure. Ensure they are at room temperature for better emulsification with the butter and sugar.
- Sour Cream: This is a secret weapon for an incredibly moist and tender cake, much like the effect it has in my popular sour cream pound cake recipe. Use full-fat sour cream for the best results and the richest texture.
- Caramel Sauce: The crowning glory! You can use a delectable homemade caramel sauce for an extra special touch, or save time with a high-quality store-bought version. For an even more sophisticated twist, consider a salted caramel sauce.
- Icing (Optional): A simple vanilla glaze adds another layer of sweetness and visual appeal. See the notes in the recipe card for an easy homemade icing recipe.
How to Create Your Perfect Apple Crumb Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
Baking this Caramel Apple Crumb Cake is a rewarding experience, and following these steps carefully will ensure a flawless result every time. Precision and patience are key to achieving that perfect balance of moist cake, crisp crumb, and sweet apple filling.
- Prepare the Crumb Topping: Begin by combining all the dry ingredients for the crumb topping in a medium bowl – flour, both sugars, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk them thoroughly to ensure an even distribution. Then, add the melted butter and vanilla extract. Stir gently until the mixture is just moistened and forms delightful crumbs. Be careful not to overmix; you want distinct crumbs, not a paste. Set this aside as it will be used for both a filling layer and the top crust.
- Make the Cake Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9-inch springform pan. Coating it with non-stick spray and lining the bottom with parchment paper will ensure easy removal of your beautiful cake. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry cake ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. In a separate large bowl (or using a stand mixer), cream the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air and creating a tender cake. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Follow this by mixing in the sour cream and vanilla extract until just combined. Finally, with the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing only until just combined. Overmixing at this stage can lead to a tough cake, so stop as soon as no streaks of flour remain.
- Assemble the Layers: This is where the magic happens! Spread exactly half of your prepared cake batter evenly into the bottom of the springform pan. Next, arrange your peeled and diced apples over this first layer of batter, ensuring they are distributed evenly. Then, generously sprinkle about one cup of the crumb topping over the apples. This middle layer of crumbs adds a delightful surprise texture and flavor within the cake. Gently spread the remaining cake batter over the crumb and apple layer, being careful not to disturb the layers too much. Finally, sprinkle the rest of the crumb topping generously over the top of the cake.
- Bake and Finish: Bake the cake in your preheated oven for 40-50 minutes. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it. The cake is done when a cake tester or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached. Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the springform pan for 20-30 minutes before carefully releasing it. This cooling period helps the cake to set and prevents it from breaking. Once cooled, drizzle generously with your chosen caramel sauce and, if desired, a simple vanilla icing. Slice and serve warm for the best experience!
Storage Tips for Maximum Freshness
To keep your Caramel Apple Crumb Cake as delicious as the day it was baked, proper storage is key:
- Room Temperature: For immediate enjoyment, store the cake covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The plastic wrap helps prevent the cake from drying out and the crumbs from losing their crispness.
- Refrigerator: If you need to extend its freshness, move the covered cake to the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. Be aware that refrigeration can slightly alter the texture of the cake, making it a bit denser. For best results, allow refrigerated cake to come to room temperature or gently warm a slice before serving to regain its soft texture.
- Freezing (Optional): This cake also freezes beautifully! Wrap individual slices or the entire cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature or warm gently before serving.
Delicious Variations to Personalize Your Crumb Cake
While this Caramel Apple Crumb Cake recipe is perfect as is, it’s also incredibly versatile. Feel free to get creative and customize it to your liking with these variations:
- Apple Breakfast Cake: If you’re planning to serve this delightful creation for breakfast or a lighter brunch, consider skipping the extra icing drizzle. The inherent sweetness of the cake and the caramel sauce is often enough, making it a less sweet, yet still incredibly satisfying, morning treat.
- Homemade Caramel Sauce: If you have a killer homemade caramel recipe that you love, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase it! Using your own handcrafted caramel will add a unique depth of flavor and a truly personal touch to your cake.
- Salted Caramel Delight: For those who adore the sweet and salty combination, transform this into a Salted Caramel Apple Crumb Cake by simply drizzling it with a salted caramel sauce. The salt crystals cut through the sweetness, creating an incredibly addictive flavor profile.
- Nutty Crunch: Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to your crumb topping for an extra layer of crunch and nutty flavor.
- Spice It Up: Experiment with additional spices in your apple filling or crumb topping. A pinch of ground ginger, allspice, or cardamom can add a unique and fragrant twist.
- Pear Perfection: While apples are classic, diced firm pears can also be used in place of or in combination with apples for a different fruity twist.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: For an extra rich and tangy element, prepare a simple cream cheese swirl (cream cheese, a little sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla) and swirl it into the cake batter before adding the apples and crumb topping.
More Amazing Apple Recipes to Enjoy
If this apple crumb cake has sparked your love for baking with apples, you’re in luck! We have plenty of other tasty apple recipes that are perfect for using up any leftover apples or simply satisfying your next apple craving. From other comforting cakes to easy snackable treats, there’s an apple recipe for everyone:
- Cinnamon Roll Upside Down Apple Cake: A delightful fusion of two breakfast favorites.
- Apple Crisp with Cake Mix: An incredibly easy and quick way to get your apple crisp fix.
- Apple Pie Egg Rolls (using canned apples): A fun, crispy, and portable twist on classic apple pie.
- Soft Baked Apple Cookies: Chewy cookies packed with real apple flavor.
- Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples: An easy crockpot recipe that brings the taste of the beloved restaurant home.
- Apple and Snickers Salad: A surprisingly delicious no-bake dessert that’s perfect for potlucks.
Caramel Apple Crumb Cake
Author: Jaclyn
Ingredients
Crumb Topping/Filling:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large apple peeled and diced
- ½ cup caramel sauce optional
- ½ cup icing optional (see notes for recipe)
Instructions
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Make the crumb topping:
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In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg; whisk thoroughly to combine all dry ingredients.
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Add the melted butter and vanilla extract. Stir with a fork or your fingers until the mixture is evenly moistened and forms distinct, coarse crumbs. Be careful not to overmix, as you want a crumbly texture. Set aside.
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Make the cake:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by coating it thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray and lining the bottom of the pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the dry cake ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Set this mixture aside.
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Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or a large bowl and a hand mixer, cream the room-temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes). Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Follow this by beating in the sour cream and vanilla extract until just combined.
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With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in 2-3 additions, mixing until just combined and no streaks of flour are visible. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to a tough cake.
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Spread exactly half of the cake batter evenly into the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Top this layer with your diced apples, spreading them out to evenly cover the cake batter. Sprinkle one cup of the prepared crumb topping over the apples. Add the remaining cake batter, gently spreading it over the crumb layer, and then sprinkle the rest of the crumb topping evenly over the top of the cake.
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Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached. Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the springform pan for 20-30 minutes before carefully releasing it from the pan. This cooling time is essential for the cake to set properly.
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Before serving, drizzle generously with caramel sauce and/or the optional icing, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
STORAGE: Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, see the detailed tips in the “Storage Tips” section above.
Nutrition
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