This homemade apple cinnamon crumble cake is a true delight, featuring a luscious cream cheese filling that elevates it from a simple dessert to something truly special. It’s the kind of cake that brings smiles to faces and warmth to any gathering, big or small.
Perfect for a weekend treat, a potluck, or simply because you deserve something delicious, this recipe is designed to be straightforward and rewarding. Get ready to bake a cake that everyone will rave about!
Apple Cinnamon Crumble Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 8x8 inch cake 1x
Description
This homemade apple cinnamon crumble cake is a true delight, featuring a luscious cream cheese filling that elevates it from a simple dessert to something truly special. It’s the kind of cake that brings smiles to faces and warmth to any gathering, big or small. Perfect for a weekend treat, a potluck, or simply because you deserve something delicious, this recipe is designed to be straightforward and rewarding. Get ready to bake a cake that everyone will rave about!
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Prepare Your Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C). Grease and flour an 8×8 inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy lifting.
2. 2. Combine Dry Ingredients for the Cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
3. 3. Cream Butter and Sugar for the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened 1/2 cup butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.
4. 4. Alternate Wet and Dry for the Cake: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix. Gently fold in the finely diced apple. Pour about two-thirds of the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
5. 5. Prepare and Add the Cream Cheese Filling: In a separate small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, egg yolk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Carefully spread this cream cheese mixture over the cake batter in the pan, leaving a small border around the edges. Dollop the remaining cake batter over the cream cheese layer. It doesn’t need to be perfectly spread; it will bake into a marbled effect.
6. 6. Make and Add the Crumble Topping: In another medium bowl, combine the 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon for the crumble. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this crumble topping evenly over the cake batter in the pan.
7. 7. Bake the Cake: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the cake (avoiding the cream cheese layer) comes out clean, and the crumble topping is golden brown. The cake should be set and lightly golden around the edges.
8. 8. Cool Before Serving: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before attempting to slice and serve. This allows the cream cheese filling to set properly, ensuring clean slices.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9 servings
Keywords: apple, cinnamon, crumble, cake, cream cheese, dessert, baking, sweet, comfort food, easy
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This apple cinnamon crumble cake is a fantastic choice for home bakers of all skill levels, especially those looking for a dessert that feels impressive but isn’t overly complicated to make. It’s perfect for busy parents who want to whip up a homemade treat without spending hours in the kitchen, or for anyone who appreciates the comforting flavors of apple and cinnamon. The combination of tender apple cake, a sweet and tangy cream cheese layer, and a buttery crumble topping creates a symphony of textures and tastes that’s hard to resist. Serve it as a delightful after-dinner dessert, a special brunch item, or a comforting afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or tea. It’s a versatile cake that fits seamlessly into many occasions, offering a touch of homemade goodness every time.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start baking makes the whole process much smoother and more enjoyable. This recipe uses common pantry staples and fresh apples, so you likely won’t need to hunt for anything exotic. We’ll be making a soft cake base, a creamy filling, and a delicious crumble topping, all coming together to create a harmonious dessert. Don’t worry about fancy equipment; a couple of mixing bowls, a whisk, and a baking pan are all you’ll really need.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
When it comes to ingredients, feel free to use your favorite type of apple for the diced cake component; Granny Smith offers a lovely tartness, while Fuji or Honeycrisp provide a sweeter, crispier bite. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup, then filling the rest with regular milk to the ½ cup line. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using. For the cream cheese, full-fat block cream cheese works best for a rich, stable filling, but a reduced-fat version can be used in a pinch.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed to be manageable even on a busy day, offering a homemade dessert without requiring an entire afternoon.
- Preparation Time: 25 minutes
- Baking Time: 35-40 minutes
- Cooling Time: 30 minutes (minimum before slicing)
- Total Active Time: Approximately 60-65 minutes
- Overall Time (including cooling): Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this apple cinnamon crumble cake is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. Follow these steps for a delicious outcome.
- Prepare Your Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8 inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy lifting.
- Combine Dry Ingredients for the Cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar for the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened ½ cup butter and ¾ cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.
- Alternate Wet and Dry for the Cake: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix. Gently fold in the finely diced apple. Pour about two-thirds of the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Prepare and Add the Cream Cheese Filling: In a separate small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, ¼ cup granulated sugar, egg yolk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Carefully spread this cream cheese mixture over the cake batter in the pan, leaving a small border around the edges. Dollop the remaining cake batter over the cream cheese layer. It doesn’t need to be perfectly spread; it will bake into a marbled effect.
- Make and Add the Crumble Topping: In another medium bowl, combine the ½ cup flour, ¼ cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon for the crumble. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this crumble topping evenly over the cake batter in the pan.
- Bake the Cake: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the cake (avoiding the cream cheese layer) comes out clean, and the crumble topping is golden brown. The cake should be set and lightly golden around the edges.
- Cool Before Serving: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before attempting to slice and serve. This allows the cream cheese filling to set properly, ensuring clean slices.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This apple cinnamon crumble cake is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions. For a fun twist, consider adding a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumble topping for extra crunch and nutty flavor. If you’re out of fresh apples, a can of drained, unsweetened apple pie filling (chopped smaller if the pieces are large) can work in a pinch, though fresh is always preferred for texture. For a more intense apple flavor, you could gently sauté the diced apples with a touch of butter and cinnamon before folding them into the batter.
When it comes to serving, this cake is delightful on its own, but a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream takes it to another level. A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds a pretty finish. For a brunch spread, cut it into smaller squares and arrange it on a platter alongside fresh fruit and coffee. If you’re serving it for a party or buffet, it holds up well at room temperature, making it a convenient option. Kids especially love the sweet crumble and creamy filling, making it a guaranteed hit at family gatherings.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have small pitfalls. Being aware of these common mistakes can help you achieve perfect results every time with your apple cinnamon crumble cake.
- Overmixing the Cake Batter: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough, dense cake. Mix until the ingredients are just combined and no streaks of flour remain. A few lumps are perfectly fine!
- Using Cold Cream Cheese for the Filling: If your cream cheese isn’t properly softened, your filling will be lumpy and difficult to spread smoothly. Take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes to an hour before you plan to use it, or gently soften it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Not Dicing Apples Finely Enough: Large apple chunks can make the cake uneven and prevent it from baking through properly. Aim for small, uniform dice (about ¼ to ½ inch) so they soften nicely within the cake.
- Overbaking the Cake: An overbaked cake will be dry. Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the baking time. The skewer test (inserted into the cake part, not the cream cheese) is your best friend here.
- Cutting Too Soon: The cream cheese filling needs time to set as the cake cools. Cutting into a warm cake will result in a messy, gooey slice. Patience is key for clean, beautiful pieces.
- Using Warm Butter for the Crumble: The crumble topping relies on cold butter to create those lovely, distinct crumbs. If your butter is too soft or melted, you’ll end up with a paste instead of a crumbly texture. Use cold, cubed butter straight from the fridge.
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
