When autumn rolls around and the air smells faintly of cinnamon and wood smoke, there’s nothing quite like a slice of Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle. It’s a recipe that feels like home—soft, buttery cake layered with tender apples and topped with a golden cinnamon crumb. The drizzle of spiced glaze ties it all together into something warm, comforting, and utterly irresistible.

This cake is perfect for cozy mornings, afternoon coffee breaks, or special gatherings when you want something that whispers fall without being overly fancy. Every bite blends the sweetness of baked apples with a buttery crunch that makes you close your eyes and sigh happily.

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup sour cream
2 medium apples, peeled and chopped

For the Crumb Topping:

¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Cinnamon Apple Drizzle:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider or milk
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Make the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and sour cream. Gradually add dry ingredients until combined.
Add Apples: Gently fold in chopped apples. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top.
Prepare the Crumb Topping: In a bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter until crumbs form. Sprinkle evenly over the batter.
Bake: Bake for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
Cool & Drizzle: Allow the cake to cool slightly. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, apple cider, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle generously over the warm cake.

Tips & Tricks

For extra apple flavor, toss your chopped apples in a tablespoon of brown sugar and a pinch of cinnamon before folding them into the batter.
Don’t overmix the batter—gentle folding keeps the cake soft and tender.
Let the cake rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing for perfect edges.

Variations

Caramel Apple Crumb Cake: Swap the drizzle for warm caramel sauce.
Nutty Crumb Cake: Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.
Maple Glaze: Replace apple cider with maple syrup for a cozy breakfast twist.

Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle

A tender, buttery apple crumb cake topped with a golden cinnamon streusel and finished with a spiced apple drizzle for the perfect fall treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1 5

Servings: 8 slices

Course: Brunch, Dessert

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 340

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Cake Batter

2 cups all-purpose flour
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
0.5 teaspoon baking soda
0.5 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
0.75 cup sour cream
2 medium apples, peeled and chopped

Crumb Topping

0.75 cup all-purpose flour
0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted

Cinnamon Apple Drizzle

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider or milk
0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment

Mixing bowls
Hand mixer or stand mixer
Baking pan
Whisk

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
Whisk dry ingredients together in one bowl; cream butter and sugar in another.
Beat in eggs, vanilla, and sour cream, then fold in apples.
Pour batter into pan and top with crumb mixture.
Bake 40–45 minutes until golden and set.
Cool slightly and drizzle with cinnamon apple glaze.

Notes

This cozy apple crumb cake tastes even better the next day as flavors deepen overnight.

Serving Suggestions
This Apple Crumb Cake pairs beautifully with a cup of strong coffee, hot apple cider, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling indulgent. It’s equally lovely for brunch tables or as an after-dinner treat served warm.

Storage Information
Store leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months—just reheat gently before serving.

FAQ

Can I use different apples? Yes! Granny Smiths offer tartness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji apples make it sweeter.
Can I double the recipe? Absolutely—use a 9×13-inch pan and increase baking time to about 55 minutes.
Can I make it ahead? The cake can be baked a day in advance and drizzled just before serving.

History / Fun Facts
Crumb cake originated from German “Streuselkuchen,” a coffee cake topped with buttery crumbs. Over time, American bakers added local twists—like apples and cinnamon—to celebrate harvest season. This version pays homage to that tradition while giving it a fresh, cozy spin with a spiced apple drizzle that truly captures fall in every bite.

There’s something deeply comforting about baking with apples—the scent of cinnamon wafting through the kitchen, the bubbling fruit softening into perfection, and the crumb topping turning golden and crisp. When that drizzle goes on top, it’s a moment of pure magic.

By the time your kitchen fills with that sweet, buttery aroma, you’ll know this cake is more than dessert—it’s an experience. A slice of comfort, a taste of nostalgia, and a perfect reminder that the simplest recipes are often the most memorable.

Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple Drizzle – A Cozy Autumn Hug in Every Bite