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Apple Crumble Cake

This Apple Crumble Cake combines a moist buttery cake base with a spiced apple filling and a crunchy crumble topping, perfect for autumn baking.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake Base
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or full-fat plain yogurt
For the Spiced Apple Filling
  • 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best) Thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the Crumble Topping
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • a small pinch salt

Method
 

Prepare the Crumble Topping
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir briefly with a fork.
  2. Add the cold, cubed butter and rub it into the dry ingredients until it resembles rough breadcrumbs. Refrigerate.
Prepare the Spiced Apple Filling
  1. Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin pieces, about 1/4 inch thick.
  2. Toss the apple slices with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Set aside.
Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper.
Make the Cake Batter
  1. Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  2. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then add vanilla and mix.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold half into the butter mixture, followed by the sour cream. Add remaining flour mixture and fold gently until just combined.
Assemble the Layers
  1. Spread the cake batter in the prepared pan, then layer the spiced apple slices evenly on top.
  2. Scatter the crumble topping generously over the apple layer.
Bake and Test for Doneness
  1. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake.
Cool Before Cutting
  1. Let the cake cool in the pan for 20-25 minutes before lifting it out to cut.

Notes

Keep crumble butter cold, slice apples evenly, don't overmix batter, and always line your pan with parchment for easy removal.