This beautiful moist and crumbly apple crumble cake is the best way to use up apples while creating a delicious cake. The chunky apple pieces in the cake add a bite and keep the cake moist. The crumble topping, or streusel topping, adds a crisp texture to the top of the cake, making it extra special.
This is the best apple crumble cake you will find, it is based on a German apple cake with streusel topping. It’s warming and the cinnamon-spiced crumble topping is heavenly. Serve on its own or with a scoop of ice cream and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Top Questions
What apples can you use in a cake?
Can you add oats to a crumble topping?
What is a streusel topping?
What can I make with leftover apples?
Why you’ll love this apple crumble cake recipe
This easy apple crumble cake is the perfect leftover apples recipe. Be it an attempt to keep healthy and you’re apples have gotten old or you bought a few too many for your last apple-based bake. The crumble cake is perfect for using up those old apples.
I love the combined flavours of apple and cinnamon, I really think this is the best apple crumble cake out there. It’s based on a German apple cake with streusel (streusel is just the fancy term for crumb topping).
This is such a simple recipe to follow, it’s great to have in your back pocket for when you need a fruit dessert. This follows an Apple crumble cake UK recipe but you can always adapt the measurements for your area (i.e 1 cup of flour is 120g etc).
Ingredients
For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.
Apples
The best apple crumble cake wouldn’t be the best without a healthy helping of apples. You can use Bramley apples as they are larger and cook down best but any normal apple will work for this recipe. That’s why it’s so great, perfect when you’re looking for a leftover apples recipe.
Cinnamon
Apples and cinnamon, are a flavour match made in heaven. They are equal parts warm, sweet and spiced. I love using cooking apples with cinnamon as it offers a slightly sharp taste that compliments the sweet cinnamon crumble. You can adapt the amount of cinnamon based on your taste. I used about half a teaspoon for this recipe.
Unsalted butter
You will need some extra butter for this cake recipe to make the crumble topping with. You can use any butter but I would suggest avoiding margarine as this doesn’t form a crumble as well as traditional butter.
How to make Easy Apple Crumble Cake– step by step
For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.
Making the crumble topping
Start by measuring out the flour, butter and sugar in a bowl and rub them together using your fingers and thumbs to form crumbs.
Once they are fully combined and created a light crumby texture, stir in the cinnamon and leave to one side.
Making the apple cake
Cream together your butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add your eggs one at a time and mix them thoroughly.
Sieve in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and ginger in the bowl and mix.
Chop the Apples into 1cm cubes and add to the cake mix.
Stir the apples through until evenly mixed in, add some flour if the mixture gets too wet.
Assembling the apple crumble cake
Pour or spoon your apple crumble cake mix into your pre-lined baking tin and top with the cinnamon crumble.
Bake your easy apple crumble cake until the crumble starts to go golden brown and a cake tester (or skewer) comes out clean).
Top Tips
- Serve your apple crumble cake warm with a generous helping of cream, ice cream or even homemade custard! It’s the perfect warming dessert.
- Add your cinnamon slowly to the crumble, that way you have more control over how strong you want it to taste.
- Don’t forget to pre-line your baking tray with parchment paper or grease it with butter and flour. This will help it to stop from sticking in the oven.
Serving Suggestions
Drizzle fresh cream
This easy apple crumble cake is best when served warm with your favourite topping. I kept it simple when I first served the best apple crumble cake and just drizzled a bit of fresh cream over the slice I was serving. It’s perfect.
Ice cream
Warm cake and cold ice cream? Sign me up. I adore warm desserts with a cold topping and the apple and cinnamon crumble cake with ice cream is the perfect example of this. I have tried serving this version of a German apple cake with streusel topping with chocolate ice cream, vanilla or even pistachio and it was wonderful!
Berry compote
With summer just around the corner berries are filling my fridge and making a berry compote is a great way to help them last a little longer. They make for a wonderful topping for the apple crumble cake.
I have made a strawberry compote or a mixed berry compote (this one used frozen berries so you can enjoy it all year round!) both worked really well the easy apple crumble cake.
Equipment
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8 inch Cake Tin
Crumble Cake Substitutions and variations
Oat crumble topping
Swap out the flour for oats and make a healthy oaty crumble topping for this German apple cake with streusel topping. It’s really delicious and the extra texture from the oats is wonderful.
Blackberry and apple crumble cake
When the summer sun has faded and the leaves are changing colour, there is nothing I look forward to more than generous helpings of blackberry and apple crumble. So making a version of this apple crumble cake UK recipe to include blackberries was a no-brainer. Simply add some blackberries to your cake mix when you add in the chopped apples and stir!
Chocolate and apple crumble cake
If you want to turn this into a decadent apple crumble cake, then I suggest adding some rich, dark cocoa powder to your cake mix when you add the flour. I suggest about 30g of cocoa powder depending on your taste.
Then when your crumble cake is cooling, grate some shards of dark chocolate on top of the baked crumble. It will melt slightly and the flavours all come together to make a wonderful dessert.
Storing apple crumble cake / Making ahead of time options
Personally, I suggest eating this easy apple crumble cake fresh from the oven while it’s still warm. However, it can be kept in an air-tight container in the cupboard for up to 4 days once baked. It will start to go a bit dry so after the first couple of days, I recommend popping your slice in the microwave for 20 seconds until lit is warm and soft again.
Apple cake can be frozen once baked and will last for up to 12 months. Once your cake has fully cooled, wrap it in a couple of layers of cling film and then in a final layer of either tinfoil or a zip-lock bag. Place it in the freezer (flat) for up to 1 year and defrost when you are ready to enjoy. This makes it a perfect option for baking ahead of Christmas or family event.
FAQS
What apples can you use in a cake?
You can use any apples in a cake. But the best apples to use are known as Bramley apples or cooking apples. They are larger than normal apples you’d find in the supermarket and cook slower so are perfect for use in your cakes.
Can you add oats to a crumble topping?
You can add oats to a crumble topping, adding oats will up the fibre content and add some really great texture to your crumble. I love creating an oat crumble on my cakes and other bakes.
What is a streusel topping?
Streusel topping is the official name for what is most commonly called crumble topping. It’s used within baking to describe the crumble made from cobinig flour, butter and sugar together to create a crumb like texture. It’s then used on top of cakes or mixed with fruits to make a fruit crumble.
What can I make with leftover apples?
With leftover apples, you can make an easy apple crumble cake. You can use your leftover apples in this cake by chopping them and adding them to your cake batter. They will cook and soften in the oven and release a wonderful flavour into your leftover apple cake.
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Recipe
Apple Crumble Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 150 g (5.29 oz) caster sugar
- 150 g (5.29 oz) unsalted butter
- 2 (2) large eggs
- 150 g (1.2 cups) self-raising flour
- 0.5 tsp (0.5 tsp) baking powder
- 0.5 tsp (0.5 tsp) ground cinnamon
- 2 medium (2 medium) apples (Bramley or eating)
Crumble Topping
- 100 g (3.5 oz) plain flour / all purpose flour
- 50 g (1.75 oz) unsalted butter
- 50 g (1.75 oz) caster sugar
- half a teaspoon (teaspoon) cinnamon
Instructions
- Grease and line an 8 inch round cake tin.
Making the crumble topping
- Put the flour, butter and sugar in a bowl and rub together using your fingers and thumbs to form crumbs.
- When the crumbs are made, stir in the cinnamon and put the bowl to one side.
Making the cake
- Preheat the oven to 180º/160ºfan
- In a bowl cream together the sugar and the butter.
- Add the eggs and mix in well.
- Sieve in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and ginger in the bowl and mix.
- Peel and chop the apple into 1cm cubes.
- Mix in well. Add a little extra flour if the mixture turns too wet.
- Spoon the mix into the prepared tin and cover with the crumble mix.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until the crumble starts turning golden brown and when there is no mixture on a cake tester. If it's not cooked give it a few more minutes and test again.
- Allow to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes then take out of the tin and transfer to a cooling wrack or plate. I love this cake when it’s still warm. It is nice with a little custard or cream.
Video
Notes
- Store in an air-tight container in a cool place and it will last about 3 days.
- As a variation, you can add blackberries or raspberries.
- Best served with a drizzle of cream if cold, if still warm a scoop of ice cream works very well.
- If you use Bramley apple cut the pieces a little smaller.
Nutrition
Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
This recipe reminds me of my mom. Thank you for sharing. I can not wait to bake this in our soon to be complete kitchen!
This recipe reminds me of mom. And that crumb topping! Just wow!
This is the perfect cake for brunch or dessert. Great for fresh apple season. Easy to make too.
This apple crumble cake looks like such a delicious and easy to make dessert! Can’t wait to make this in apple season, served with some vanilla ice cream!
I haven’t had apple cake since I was a kid. This is definitely a recipe I need to make soon.
Your passion for cooking is evident in every recipe you share. You inspire me and others to get in the kitchen and experiment with flavors and ingredients.
That is so kind!