Celebrate fall in the best way with this sensational one layer Apple Cake recipe with an irresistibly buttery crumble. It is perfect for breakfast or dessert.
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The Heart and Soul of this Apple Cake Recipe
- Cuisine Inspiration: Classic American with a twist
- Primary Cooking Method: Baking
- Dietary Info: Vegetarian, with gluten and dairy
- Key Flavor: Warm, cinnamon-spiced apple goodness
- Skill Level: Easy, beginner-friendly
Sweet Highlights
- Perk 1: Single-Layer Simplicity โ No fancy tools needed, just mix, pour, and bake for a cake that’s as easy as pie (or, well, cake).
- Perk 2: Crumbly Crumble Goodness โ A buttery, cinnamon-laced crumble that turns golden and delightful in the oven, offering the perfect textural contrast.
- Perk 3: Apple in Every Bite โ Packed with fresh apple slices that soften into tender, juicy layers as they bake, infused with pure maple syrup for that extra oomph.
- Perk 4: Breakfast or Dessert? Why Choose! โ It’s the chameleon of the cake world; great with your morning coffee or as a sweet end to your day.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- Butter (unsalted and room temp) – It’s the smooth operator that gives your cake its soft texture.
- Granulated Sugar – Sweetness coming right up! This is your cake’s best friend.
- Egg (make sure it’s room temp!) – The binder that holds your dreams and cake together.
- All-Purpose Flour – The foundation of your cake, it’s all about that base.
- Salt – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda – The dynamic duo that makes your cake rise to the occasion.
- Buttermilk (also room temp!) – Bringing a subtle tang and moistness to your batter.
- Pure Maple Syrup – Because we’re keeping it real with that rich, autumnal vibe.
- Pure Vanilla Extract – A dash of elegance and a whole lotta flavor.
- Apple Slices (peeled if you want) – The star of the show, adding bites of joy.
For the Crumble Topping:
- Flour (All-Purpose again, y’all) – To create those crumbly little pebbles of joy.
- Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar – A sweet little combo that’s twice as nice.
- Salt & Ground Cinnamon – Spicing things up and keeping it interesting.
- Butter (melted and cooled) – This is the glue for your crumble, so melt and cool with care.
How to Make Apple Cake
For the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and liberally spray 9 inch round pan (or 8ร8 sized pan) with non-stick baking spray.
- In the ceramic bowl of your stand mixer, beat together butter and sugar on high speed for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add in egg and continue to mix until combined.
- Change mixer to low speed and slowly add in flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until just combined then pour in buttermilk, 2 teaspoons of maple syrup and vanilla extract and mix until it all just comes together without over mixing. Turn off mixer.
- Evenly spread cake batter in pan then top with sliced apples and drizzle with remaining 3 teaspoons of maple syrup.
For the Crumble Topping:
- Whisk together flour, both sugars, salt, and cinnamon until mixed.
- Drizzle butter over flour mixture, and using a fork, stir together until crumbs form.
- Sprinkle crumbs over apples.
- Bake cake for 30-38 minutes OR until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow cake to cool for at least 20 minutes then serve.
How to Serve
This cake is fantastic with a dollop of homemade whipped cream , some caramel sauce or even some homemade vanilla ice cream or apple pie ice cream for a wonderful mix of fall flavors. It tastes amazing warm with the ice cream dripping down the sies.
How to Store
To keep that apple cake tasting as fresh as a crisp autumn day, cool it completely before you tuck it away. Slide it into an airtight container or wrap it up snug in plastic wrap. You can keep it at room temperature for a couple of days, or if you’re playing the long game, stash it in the fridge. It’ll keep there for up to a week, just bring it back to room temp before serving for that just-baked magic.
Favorite Apple Recipes to Try
If you like this recipe, you might be interested in some of my other apple flavored recipes below!
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake
- Apple Fritters
- The Best Apple Pie
- Apple Crisp French Toast
- Apple Cider Glazed Chicken
- Honey Apple Bars
- Whole Baked Apples
Apple Cake
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Ingredients
For the Cake:
- โ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ยฝ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon baking powder
- ยผ teaspoon baking soda
- ยฝ cup buttermilk room temperature
- 5 teaspoons pure maple syrup separated
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups apple slices peeled
For the Crumble Topping:
- ยพ cups all-purpose flour
- ยผ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ยผ cup unsalted butter melted then cooled
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and liberally spray 9 inch round pan (or 8×8 sized pan) with non-stick baking spray.
- In the ceramic bowl of your stand mixer, beat together butter and sugar on high speed for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add in egg and continue to mix until combined.
- Change mixer to low speed and slowly add in flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until just combined then pour in buttermilk, 2 teaspoons of maple syrup and vanilla extract and mix until it all just comes together without over mixing. Turn off mixer.
- Evenly spread cake batter in pan then top with sliced apples and drizzle with remaining 3 teaspoons of maple syrup.
For the Crumble Topping:
- Whisk together flour, both sugars, salt, and cinnamon until mixed.
- Drizzle butter over flour mixture, and using a fork, stir together until crumbs form.
- Sprinkle crumbs over apples.
- Bake cake for 30-38 minutes OR until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow cake to cool for at least 20 minutes then serve.
I was looking for a dessert to make the other night, and came across this recipe I’d printed at some point, but never made. I had all the right ingredients — YAY! — so made this. It. Is. Phenomenal! I took the rest of it into work today & everyone loved it; I’m making another one tonight. Thanks!
Thank you so much! I’m so so glad you enjoyed it. Would you mind leaving a star review as well for others to see?
This cake looks perfect and I bet it tasted great with the ice cream.
I could definitely have this year round! I have to start apple baking ASAP!
I have tears for the end of summer too! This apple cake is the perfect treat to transition to fall – which is the gateway to winter!