Spiced Apple Crumb Cake Recipe with Cinnamon Streusel

Moist, tender spiced apple crumb cake filled with warm fall spices and diced apples, finished with a buttery crumb topping. Perfect as a dessert or breakfast during cooler weather.

side shot of two slices of spiced apple crumb cake stacked on a brown plate with apples, cinnamon stick and star anise pods in the perimeter of shot.

Apple desserts are especially satisfying when the air turns crisp. This spiced apple crumb cake is warmly spiced, wonderfully moist, and topped with a crunchy buttery streusel. It works beautifully for brunch, a cozy dessert, or an afternoon treat.

What Is a Crumb Cake?

A crumb cake consists of a simple cake base—often similar to a yellow or spice cake—topped with a generous buttery crumb (streusel) that bakes to golden perfection. New York–style crumb cakes are a classic example, usually flavored with cinnamon and sometimes finished with a dusting of powdered sugar.

overhead shot of spiced apple crumb cake on parchment paper on top of wooden surface with apples and cinnamon sticks in the perimeter of the shot.

Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe

Cake Ingredients

All-purpose flour. Provides structure and a fluffy crumb—no need for cake flour here.

Baking powder and baking soda. Both leavening agents help the cake rise. Make sure they are fresh (less than six months old) to avoid a dense cake.

Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, and cloves. These spices create the warm, cozy flavor profile. Adjust to taste if you prefer a lighter or stronger spice blend.

Salt. Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

Granulated sugar. Sweetens the cake and balances the tartness of the apples.

Vegetable oil. Keeps the cake moist and tender; it’s used instead of butter in the batter.

Milk. Whole, 2%, or almond milk work well. If using buttermilk, you may need a little more because it’s thicker.

Vanilla extract. Adds depth and rounds out the spices.

Eggs. Large eggs act as the binder.

Granny Smith apples. Tart apples like Granny Smith are ideal, peeled, cored, and diced. Use about two medium apples (roughly 2 cups chopped).

Crumb Topping Ingredients

Dark brown sugar
All-purpose flour
Ground cinnamon
Unsalted butter (melted)

close up side shot of two slices of spiced apple crumb cake stacked on a brown plate with apples, cinnamon stick and star anise pods in the perimeter of shot.

How To Make This Cake

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside.

For the crumb topping: combine dark brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter in a small bowl. Use a fork to mix until the flour is fully moistened and the mixture forms clumps. Set aside.

overhead shot of crumb topping in mixing bowl.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, cloves, salt, and granulated sugar until well combined.

overhead shot of dry cake ingredients in mixing bowl.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk oil, milk, vanilla, and eggs until smooth. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Gently fold with a rubber spatula just until no dry flour remains—do not overmix.

overhead shot of egg mixture for cake batter in a mixing bowl.

overhead shot of spiced apple crumb cake batter.

Fold the chopped apples into the batter until evenly distributed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Using your fingers, evenly press the crumb topping over the batter, breaking up any large clumps.

Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean except for a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Turn the pan upside down onto parchment paper and gently release the cake. Place the cake right-side-up on a wire rack to cool completely.

When cool, optionally drizzle a simple vanilla glaze made from powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and vanilla extract. Serve and enjoy.

side shot of spiced apple crumb cake on wooden suface wiht an apple in the background.

Variations of This Recipe

The cake and crumb topping are versatile. Swap or add ingredients to create different versions—try canned pumpkin for a fall twist, berries for brightness, pears or peaches for a softer fruit, or chocolate chips for a sweeter finish. Other good additions include bananas, cranberries, or a handful of nuts.

Storing This Cake

Store wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for 3–4 days. To freeze, wrap tightly in plastic, then foil, place in a freezer bag, and freeze up to three months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave.

side shot of slice of apple crumb cake on a brown plate with apples and more cake in the background.

Important Tips For Making This Apple Crumb Cake

Check that baking powder and baking soda are fresh (under six months) to ensure proper rise and a light texture.
Chop the apples into small pieces for the best texture and even distribution throughout the cake.
Line the pan with parchment paper that overhangs the sides to make removing the cake easier.

close up overhead shot of spiced apple crumb cake on parchment paper on top of wooden surface with apples and cinnamon sticks in the perimeter of the shot.

Recommended Tools for This Recipe

Mixing bowls, a wire whisk, a rubber spatula, and an 8×8-inch baking pan are all useful for this recipe.

Check Out These Other Fall-Ready Recipes Before You Go!

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Muffins
Crispy Hot Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Cowboy Butter Steak Rigatoni
Maple Vanilla Cranberry Sauce

📖 Recipe

Spiced Apple Crumb Cake

Ashley Boyd

This moist cake is flavored with warm spices and diced apples, then finished with a buttery crumb topping — a perfect fall breakfast or dessert.

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 50 mins

Total Time 1 hr

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16 servings

Calories 268 kcal

Ingredients

For The Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup milk (whole, 2%, or almond)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (about 2 medium apples)

For The Crumb Topping

½ cup dark brown sugar
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan and set aside.
Make the crumb topping: mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter until the flour is moistened and the mixture forms clumps. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, cloves, salt, and sugar.
In a medium bowl, whisk oil, milk, vanilla, and eggs until combined. Pour into the dry ingredients and fold until just combined.
Fold in the chopped apples. Transfer batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Press the crumb topping evenly over the batter.
Bake 40–50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Cool in the pan 10 minutes, then invert onto parchment and place right-side-up on a rack to cool completely.
When cool, drizzle a powdered sugar–vanilla glaze if desired and serve.

Notes

Ensure baking powder and baking soda are fresh (under six months) to maintain proper rise. For a simple glaze, combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 1–2 tablespoons milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla until smooth.

Nutrition