Spiced Apple Crumble Cake

This Spiced Apple Crumble Cake combines all the flavours of fall: cinnamon, nutmeg and apple.

The start of the fall season is synonymous with apple desserts. My family loves to go apple picking, and I love to bake, so of course I have to make a bunch of delicious apple desserts every year. September is also the start of the Jewish New Year and the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. During Rosh Hashanah it’s traditional to celebrate new beginnings by dipping apples in honey for a sweet new year. This apple cake has become a regular fixture at our Rosh Hashanah dinner, and it’s a delicious addition to any fall table.

This Spiced Apple Crumble Cake combines all the flavours of fall: cinnamon, nutmeg and apple. It’s incredibly moist and rich without being overly dense. The cinnamon and nutmeg compliment the sweetness of the apple and sugar, while the buttermilk, butter, and diced apple combine to create an exceptionally soft cake. Finally, the spiced crumble topping contrasts beautifully with the moist cake and creates a lovely textural element to tie it all together. I think once you make this delicious cake it will become a regular in your fall baking as well.

TOTAL TIME

• Preparation Time – 10 minutes
• Cooking Time – 1 hour
• Total Time – 1 hr 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS FOR SPICED APPLE CRUMBLE CAKE

All the ingredients for this Spiced Apple Crumble Cake are easily sourced from any local grocer.

Cake

• 2 1/4 cups All Purpose Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt
• 1 Large Egg
• 1 cup Buttermilk, room temperature
• 1/2 cup Butter, melted
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/2 cups Brown Sugar
• 2 1/2 cups Diced Apple, about 5 apples
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg

Topping

• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
• 1/3 cup All Purpose Flour
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 2 tbsp Butter, cold

DO I REALLY NEED A SPRINGFORM PAN?

I like to use a springform pan when baking this cake as it makes it easier to remove without damaging the crumble crust. If you’d prefer, you can always use a standard cake pan as long as you line it to ensure it doesn’t stick

DO I NEED TO PEEL THE APPLES?

There are some baked goods that require peeled apples to ensure the right consistency. However, this cake does not require that you peel your apples before dicing them which saves significant preparation time.

WHAT KIND OF APPLES SHOULD I USE?

I find that a less sweet apple is preferable for baking. I prefer to use Granny Smith Apples, but for a sweeter taste both Gala and Honeycrisp work beautifully as well.

DO I HAVE TO MAKE THE TOPPING?

If you’d like you can leave the crumble topping off of your cake, however I think it adds a lovely textural element to this moist coffee cake.

INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS

CAN I USE IMITATION VANILLA EXTRACT?

As with all extracts in baking I would strongly recommend using the real deal. Artificial extract tastes nothing like natural, and has a unpleasant chemical taste.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE SOMETHING ELSE FOR VANILLA EXTRACT?

If you are unable to source real vanilla extract I would suggest using lemon juice or vanilla paste in its place. The taste will be different, but the cake will still be delicious.

CAN I USE A DIFFERENT KIND OF FRUIT IN THIS CAKE?

The flavours in this cake would work very well with pears as well.

IS THERE A SUBSTITUTE FOR BUTTERMILK?

Absolutely. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a good substitute. Simply pour 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice into a 1 cup measuring cup, then top off with whole milk or 3/4 1% and 1/4 10%. The key to making a good buttermilk substitute is the inclusion of both acid to curdle the milk and a higher fat milk.

EQUIPMENT FOR SPICED APPLE CRUMBLE CAKE

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Below is a list of the main equipment/kitchen tools needed to make this Spiced Apple Cake:

• Kitchen Aid Mixer – You can make this cake by hand if you don’t own a mixer, but you definitely save time with a mixer. I highly recommend purchasing a good mixer if you are able to do so. I adore my Kitchen Aid Professional mixer.

• Spatula

• 9 inch Springform Pan – I highly recommend these Wilton spring form pans. They are durable, inexpensive, and dishwasher safe. Most importantly they don’t warp in the oven, and will bake your cake evenly.

• Parchment Paper – I strongly recommend lining your springform pan with parchment paper as it will prevent the bottom of your carrot cake from sticking.

• Small Pan

• Medium Bowl

• Small Bowl

COOKING DIRECTIONS FOR SPICED APPLE CRUMBLE CAKE

This delicious Spiced Apple Crumble Cake can be prepared in just over an hour, and is as easy to make as it is delicious as long as you follow a few rules:

1. Don’t overmix your batter to ensure it stays light and fluffy.
2. Use a food processor to fine dice your apples.
3. Bake your cake just long enough that it bounces back to the touch.

MAKE AHEAD STORAGE

I would not recommend making any ingredients in advance for this cake.

This Spiced Apple Crumble Cake can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. It can also be frozen in an air tight container.

FINISHED DISH

Enjoy your Spiced Apple Crumble Cake!

OTHER DESSERTS YOU MIGHT LIKE

Apple and Strawberry Crumble

Caramelized Peach Upside Down Cake

Nut Free Carrot Cake

Berry and Mango Buttercream Cupcakes

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

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