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Apple Crumb Cake with Spiced Apples and Cream Cheese Maple Drizzle Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 115 reviews

This Apple Crumb Cake is a deliciously spiced dessert featuring tender apple pieces, a moist apple butter-infused cake, and a buttery crumb topping. Finished with a smooth cream cheese frosting drizzle, it’s perfect for autumn or any time you crave a cozy, flavorful treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Crumble Topping

  • 1/2 cup (112 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup (125 g) all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp allspice
  • Pinch of salt

Spiced Apples

  • 2 cups (268 g) apples, peeled and diced into ½ inch pieces (about 2 apples)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • Pinch of allspice
  • 2 tbsp (28 g) brown sugar

Apple Cake

  • 1 3/4 cups (219 g) all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup (112 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (244 g) unsweetened apple butter
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) buttermilk, at room temperature

Cream Cheese Frosting Drizzle

  • 2 oz (56 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) pure maple syrup
  • 3–4 tbsp (25–32 g) powdered sugar (adjust sweetness to preference)
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) whole milk

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crumble Topping: In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and a pinch of salt. Mix until a thick, coarse crumb forms. Chill the crumble in the refrigerator while preparing the rest of the cake.
  2. Cook the Spiced Apples: Add diced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and brown sugar to a medium pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until the apples are tender and the juices thicken. Remove from heat and let cool.
  3. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch light metal baking pan and line with parchment paper.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients for Cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  5. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on high speed to cream softened butter and granulated sugar for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
  6. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in eggs and vanilla on medium speed until the batter is pale and smooth, approximately 1 minute.
  7. Combine Wet Ingredients: Mix unsweetened apple butter and buttermilk into the batter on medium-low speed until combined; the mixture may appear curdled which is normal.
  8. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on medium-low speed just until combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  9. Assemble the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Evenly sprinkle the cooked spiced apples over the batter, then evenly layer the chilled crumble topping on top.
  10. Bake the Cake: Bake for 65-80 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
  11. Cool the Cake: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Then, lift the cake out by the parchment paper and let it cool completely on the rack.
  12. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting Drizzle: In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and maple syrup on medium-high speed until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing on low until fully combined, then mix in the milk until smooth and drizzle-ready.
  13. Serve: Once the cake is completely cooled, cut into 16 slices. Drizzle the cream cheese frosting evenly over the slices before serving.

Notes

  • Use firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture in the apple pieces.
  • Ensure all dairy ingredients are at room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
  • If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute by adding 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar to 3/4 cup milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
  • Store leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
  • The cream cheese drizzle can be adjusted in sweetness to your preference by varying the powdered sugar amount.

Keywords: Apple Crumb Cake, Spiced Apple Cake, Autumn Dessert, Cream Cheese Frosting, Homemade Cake

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/apple-crumb-cake-with-spiced-apples-and-cream-cheese-maple-drizzle-recipe-2/