Apple Streusel Cake
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyThis Apple Streusel Cake is a delicious baked recipe for fall. Whether you serve it for breakfast, dessert, or as a snack, you’re going to love this sweet treat!
Apple Streusel Cake:
While I’m still enjoying summer here in Pennsylvania, I realize many folks like to plan ahead or start the fall season as early as possible. That’s why today I’m kicking off the new season with an autumn-inspired recipe for Apple Streusel Cake.
As I did last year, I’m teaming up with a group of blogger friends to celebrate the “Tastes of the Seasons.” Every month from now through the end of the year each of us will share a new recipe inspired by the season.
This month, we are taking inspiration from the apple, one of the classic flavors of fall. I’ll be linking up all of the bloggers and their recipes at the end of this post. Be sure to visit each one for even more apple-inspired recipes.
You might remember last year around this time I made this delectable Apple-Cranberry Slab Pie for the “Tastes of the Seasons” series. It’s such a fun and tasty recipe. If you missed it, you can find it here.
Since I made a pie last year, I decided to go with a cake this time. I couldn’t do a plain ol’ cake, of course, so I’m tossing in a generous amount of crunchy, flavor-packed streusel.
How do you make Apple Streusel Cake?
It’s actually easy and doesn’t require a mixer. I love recipes that aren’t a lot of fuss, and this is one of them.
You start off by sautéing fresh apples to soften them and amp up their sweetness and flavor.
Those sweet, soft apples get layered in a baking pan with a super easy cake batter and LOTS of delicious streusel. It may seem like too much streusel, but it’s not as you will discover once the cake is baked and you take a bite of it.
After the cake comes out of the oven and cools slightly, it’s time to top it with a simple icing. Then the only thing left to do is eat it! This recipe would be great for breakfast or brunch, but you could go all out and add a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of caramel for the ultimate after-dinner dessert. You’re welcome!
While any cake is best served warm, this recipe is also tasty the next day. How can you go wrong with layers of cake, apples, and streusel?
If you liked this apple-inspired recipe, you’ll also love:
- Frosted Apple Cider Cookies
- Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread
- Apple Pie Sangria
- Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie
- Spiced Apple Cake Cookies
Apple Streusel Cake Recipe:
Apple Streusel Cake
Ingredients
Streusel:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups sliced peeled apples (I used Granny Smith.)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar packed
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Icing:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch nutmeg
- Pinch cloves
- Pinch of salt
- 2-3 tablespoons apple cider
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8-inch springform pan (or a 9-inch square baking pan).
- Next, prepare your streusel by stirring together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Drizzle this mixture with the melted butter and vanilla. Toss together with a fork to combine.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the apples in the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Stir in the brown sugar. Simmer, uncovered, for about 60 seconds. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the melted butter and toss with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the mixture. Add the egg, buttermilk, and vanilla. Stir just until moistened. (The batter will be lumpy.)
- Spread about 1 cup of the batter into the prepared pan. Spoon the apple filling over the batter in an even layer. Sprinkle with 2/3 cups of the streusel mixture. Drop the remaining batter in small mounds onto the filling. Sprinkle with remaining streusel.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the icing by whisking together the powdered sugar, spices, salt, and enough apple cider to create a drizzling consistency.
- Serve warm, drizzled with the icing. (The cake is still delicious served at room temperature.)
Nutrition
For more amazing apple goodness and beautifully styled recipes, be sure to visit my blogger friends below. They are some amazingly talented folks. I’m certain you’ll find a recipe or two (or even ten) you’ll want to make this fall season.
Enjoy!
Tastes of the Season Blogger Recipes:
Slab Apple Pie + Caramel Sauce by Ella Claire | Applesauce Sheet Cake + Cream Cheese Frosting by Love Grows Wild | Apple Spice Streusel Cake by Inspired by Charm | Baked Apple Slices by Julie Blanner | Cinnamon Maple Sourdough Apple Pie by Farmhouse on Boone
Brioche Apple Bread Pudding by Boxwood Avenue | Apple Cider Pound Cake by Anderson + Grant | Apple Crumble Muffins by A Burst of Beautiful | Banana Apple Cake Bread by Sweet C’s | Rustic Apple Strudel by So Much Better with Age
New England Apple Crisp by Nina Hendrick | Maple Apple Oatmeal by Finding Home Farms | Chocolate Apple Mini Cakes by Zevy Joy | Artisan Apple Bread by Nesting with Grace | Low Carb Apple Sandwich Snacks by My Sweet Savannah
Apple Peach Crisp by Summer Adams | Roasted Apple and Butternut Squash Soup by Town & Country Living
Good texture, easy to make. The streusel was too sweet for our tastes, but still good. I used Gravensteins as the apple because I love the unique sweet-tart flavor and a Gravensteins-flavored sweet vinegar rather than apple cider in the drizzled topping. I will make this again for company, but can I just decrease the sugar in the streusel while not changing anything else?
This is amazing, I’ve already made it 4 times , Do you think I could substitute peaches for the apples?
Sure! Just be careful as peaches are a bit more juicy.
xo Michael
The recipe will not pull up for me
I just double checked on my phone and computer (two different internet browsers) and it seems to be working. Perhaps there’s something wrong on your end? Sorry for the troubles!
xo Michael
did anyone make? the batter is thick
You had me at streusel. Have mercy! This is on my list to make this week.
Wow this cake is beautiful. Can’t wait to make it. Thanks for sharing.
That glaze though! Looks amazing.
Oh my! This cake looks incredible! And perfect for Fall baking!
Cake for dessert? Yes please! You’re speaking my language, my friend! This looks divine and I’m totally making it stat! xoxo
Such gorgeous photography! This is really getting me in the spirit for fall!
Love a recipe that you can eat for breakfast AND dessert! Seeing the slice of cake with the layers of apple and streusel looks incredible.
I always love looking at your posts! Your pictures are always amazing! I really want to try this cake!
I would LOVE to have a slice of this with my coffee in the morning. Looks so delicious!
Such a pretty cake!! Adding this recipe to my list!
This looks amazing, Michael! Can’t wait to try it!
Hugs, Jamie
Looks soooooo good! Like too good. Your recipes are always the best!
The perfect way to wake up! This counts as breakfast, right?
The layer of apples in the MIDDLE of this cake is genius!
My goodness… this is the most gorgeous and delicious looking apple cake I’ve ever seen!
i have a cup of coffee just waiting for a slice of this cake!! YUM!