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Cinnamon Apple Crumb Cake

Cinnamon Apple Crumb Cake is a classic American breakfast cake with an apple-studded, tender crumb and a thick buttery cinnamon-sugar topping. Baked until golden, then finished with a light powdered sugar dust for a bakery-style slice.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 340
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For crumb topping
  • 1.5 cup flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.75 cup butter melted
For cake
  • 2 cup flour
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 0.5 cup butter
  • 0.75 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 0.75 cup sour cream
  • 2 cup apples diced
For serving
  • 0.25 cup powdered sugar for serving

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Prep
  1. Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9x13 dish so the cake releases easily.
Make crumb topping
  1. Combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then drizzle in melted butter and toss until large crumbs form with visible clumps.
Make the cake batter
  1. Beat butter and sugar until smooth, then add eggs, vanilla, and sour cream and mix until combined.
  2. Fold in flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and diced apples until no dry streaks remain.
Assemble and bake
  1. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and scatter crumb topping generously across the surface.
  2. Bake for 45-50 minutes at 350F, until the center is set and the crumb topping looks golden-brown.
  3. Let the cake cool briefly, then dust with powdered sugar before serving for a lightly sweet finish.

Notes

For the best crumb texture, aim for visibly chunky topping crumbs rather than fine sandy streusel. Store covered in the fridge up to 4 days; rewarm individual slices in the microwave 15-20 seconds. Freezing: yes, freeze cooled slices up to 2 months. Dietary swap: use gluten-free 1:1 flour in both the crumb and cake for a gluten-free version (confirm baking powder is gluten-free).