The BEST Moist Apple Pie Cake with Crumble Topping
This delicious moist apple pie cake is an absolute treat in fall with juicy apple pie filling flavored with exotic spices of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg baked in a smooth luxurious cream cheese batter. Then topped with a crumble topping for that ultimate crisp.
The BEST Moist Apple Pie Cake with Crumble Topping
How has this week been treating you all? It’s been a nice cool week for us here. Not to warm in the day and pleasantly cool in the evening. Been enjoying my evening walks now in the afternoons at 3 instead of 7 pm. Feels really nice to go out at this time in the afternoon.
This week was my mom in laws second death anniversary and my father in law requested me to make a simple cake for the guest. I could not think of anything other than this apple pie cake which was her favorite.
The last time I made it was four years ago and she loved it so much she took the recipe from me so she could make it for her next get together with friends. I hadn’t made it since then until this week. It was the same recipe and everybody loved it so much that it brought back memories of my mother in laws apple pie cake. Made me so happy.
It’s amazing the connection we have with food when we feel vulnerable. You know that feeling when you feeling very emotional and need something comforting. The spices in this apple pie cake do actually help you feel all warm and cozy on the inside. The warmth of the ginger cinnamon and nutmeg really do make a huge difference in making you feel warm inside.
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The BEST Moist Apple Pie Cake with Crumble Topping
About this cake
The cake recipe is really simple easy and effortless. You do not even need any special equipment like cake mixers and stuff. A simple bowl, whisk and spatula is a good start. The mixing takes no more than 10 minutes but baking takes about an hour and is well worth it. The aroma when this cake is baking is out of this world!! I had my neighbor ask me the next day ‘what did you bake? the whole neighborhood was smelling of apple pie. Yup! It does smell like apple pie and you will love it.
The BEST Moist Apple Pie Cake with Crumble Topping
Let’s talk ingredients and substitutes
- Apples – Today I used what I had at home. I had two gala apples, one granny smith, and two honey crisp. Ideally, I like to use a mix of apples. The granny smith is tart which helps offset some of the sugar but it also holds its shapes well which means you get pieces of apple that haven’t disappeared in the cake. The honey crisp and gala soften and add moisture, sweetness, and texture to the cake.
Honestly, no matter what apples I use this cake always turns out delicious. - Cream Cheese – This is the secret to keeping this cake moist. The cream cheese not only adds a nice flavor but also makes the cake creamy and light.
- Spices – Is there anything better than the combination of apples and cinnamon? I think not!! Nutmeg and ground ginger add a good zing too. If you prefer you can use pumpkin spice or gingerbread spice as an alternate. And if you ever have garam masala on hand…. try it!! The bend of spices in garam masala are truly warm and wonderful in fall.
- Crumble Topping– Well you can omit the crumble topping but seriously don’t !! It adds that extra edge to the apple pie filling on top and absorbs all the extra juices too!
The BEST Moist Apple Pie Cake with Crumble Topping
Recipe – Moist Apple Pie Cake Recipe with Crumble Topping – (Pin this recipe for later)
Tools
The BEST Moist Apple Pie Cake with Crumble Topping
Ingredients
For the Cake
- Unsalted butter – 113 grams (1 stick)
- Cream cheese – 170 gram (3/4 cup)
- Brown sugar – 300 grams (1 1/2 cup)
- Eggs – 4 large
- All purpose flour – 440 grams
- Baking powder -1 tbsp
- Baking soda – 1 tsp
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- Buttermilk – 320 ml (1 1/2 cup)
- Vanilla – 1 tbsp
- Ground ginger – 1 tsp
- Cinnamon powder – 1 tsp
- Nutmeg powder – 1/2 tsp
For the Apple Pie Filling
- Apples – 5 large
- Brown sugar – 100 grams (1 cup)
- Cornstarch – 2 tbsp
- Cinnamon powder – 1/2 tsp
- Nutmeg powder – 1/4 tsp
- Cinnamon powder – 1/2 tsp
For the Crumble Topping
- All purpose flour – 55 grams
- Chilled butter into cubes – 2 tbsp (30 grams)
- Sugar – 2 tbsp
Method
For the Apple Pie Filling
- Peel core and chop the apple into small pieces.
- Place in a bowl; add brown sugar, cornstarch, and spices.
- Set aside
For the Crumble
- Place all ingredients in a bowl
- Crumble with your hands till you reach breadcrumb consistency.
- Keep chilled in the fridge.
For the Cake
- Preheat oven at 170 C / 340 F
- Grease and flour well an 8-inch ring pan or 8 inch round baking pan (at least 3-inch tall)
- Add baking powder, soda, salt and spices to the flour – mix or sift – set aside.
- In a large bowl – cream butter and cream cheese
- Add brown sugar and continue to cream until light and fluffy.
- Mix in eggs one at a time
- Followed by the flour mix and buttermilk in three additions
- Lastly, add the vanilla
Assemble & Bake
- Pour half the batter into the prepared baking pan
- Followed by half the apple pie filling
- Pour remaining batter over the pie filling
- Followed with the remaining apple pie filling
- Generously sprinkle the crumble topping
- Baking for 50 to 60 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Garnish
- When baked cool in the pan for then minutes
- Remove from the pan
- Dust with confectioners sugar if desired.
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The BEST Moist Apple Pie Cake with Crumble Topping
Moist Apple Pie Cake with Crumble Topping
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 113 grams Unsalted butter 1 stick
- 170 grams Cream cheese
- 300 grams Brown sugar
- 4 Eggs large
- 440 grams All purpose flour
- 1 tbsp Baking powder
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 320 ml Buttermilk
- 1 tbsp Vanilla
- 1 tsp Ground ginger
- 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
- 1/2 tsp Nutmeg powder
For the Apple Pie Filling
- 5 Apples large
- 100 grams Brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon powder
- 1/4 tsp Nutmeg powder
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon powder
For the Crumble Topping
- 55 grams All purpose flour
- 2 tbsp Chilled butter into cubes
- 2 tbsp Sugar
Instructions
For the Apple Pie Filling
- Peel core and chop the apple into small pieces.
- Place in a bowl; add brown sugar, cornstarch, and spices.
- Set aside
For the Crumble
- Place all ingredients in a bowl
- Crumble with your hands till you reach breadcrumb consistency.
- Keep chilled in the fridge.
For the Cake
- Preheat oven at 170 C / 340 F
- Grease and flour well an 8-inch ring pan or 8-inch round baking pan (at least 3-inch tall)
- Add baking powder, soda, salt and spices to the flour - mix or sift - set aside.
- In a large bowl - cream butter and cream cheese
- Add brown sugar and continue to cream until light and fluffy.
- Mix in eggs one at a time
- Followed by the flour mix and buttermilk in three additions
- Lastly, add the vanilla
Assemble & Bake
- Pour half the batter into the prepared baking pan
- Followed by half the apple pie filling
- Pour remaining batter over the pie filling
- Followed with the remaining apple pie filling
- Generously sprinkle the crumble topping
- Baking for 50 to 60 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Garnish
- When baked cool in the pan for then minutes
- Remove from the pan
- Dust with confectioners sugar if desired.
Recipe Video
Nutrition Information
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L. Keeney
HI,
Can you give me US measurements for the cream cheese, flour, and apples (cups)? Thank you!
Veena Azmanov
hey Keeney. The US measurements are also there. If you switch between Metrics and US customary – the US customary has the US measurements. You can even change the amount servings and personalize the recipe. Let me know if it works.
L. Keeney
I was able to switch over the measurements, thank you! One last question; recipe calls for 5 large apples, about how many cups is that? My apple tree produces apples that are slightly smaller than the large ones you find in the grocery. Would 1 of your large apples equal about 1 cup?
Veena Azmanov
Hey Lisa. I would think 5 cups would be a good measure. I usually use medium-large apples and that comes to about 1 cup each apple. Hope this helps.
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours
This looks delicious. I love a good fruity cake and the crumb topping makes it really special!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Helen- I love cakes with fruits too.
Sues
This looks like perfection!! But it might be a little dangerous to leave me alone with it 🙂
Veena Azmanov
I know what you mean Sues. I’m often afraid of that too!
Christine
This cake is GORGEOUS! Love it. So perfect for the holidays! 🙂
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Christine
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
What a lovely cake! I love the crumble topping. I need to try this recipe soon!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Kathryn. The crumble is my favorite part too!
Anne Murphy
What a lovely family story! Isn’t it wonderful the way a food can just remind us of a person we love.
And now you have me intrigued – I will have to try garam masala with apples. I love stretching my notion of what goes with what!
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely Anne. Always a great feeling when you have family and food connected. Oh garam masala works great in cookies and desserts.
Amanda Mason
I LOVE pie cakes!! And this one looks so delish! Perfect for the holiday season where I allow myself to eat whatever I want! LOL! Thanks for a fabulous recipe!
Veena Azmanov
Me too Amanda. I love the holidays as I get to indulge a bit more than usual. Ha!!
tina
This cake is a great way to create lasting memories for my family, looks amazing! Saving this:)
Veena Azmanov
Thank Tina. I do hope you try it. Let me know what you think. Thanks
Prasanna Hede
This cake sounds so amazing! specially crumble topping,yum yum! I can eat this all day!
Veena Azmanov
Me too Prasanna. Thanks
Sera
Hello, if I want to make this cake a day in advance, how should it be stored? Thank you!
Veena Azmanov
yes, Sara you can definitely make it a day in advance. Like most cakes just store it at room temperature, Cover to prevent it from drying and once cut warp in cling wrap to prevent it from drying out as well.
Arlene Mobley
My mouth is watering! This looks so moist and delicious. Leave off the crumb topping no way. I can see myself eating this for breakfast with a cup of coffee.
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely Arlene. I love the crumb topping too. My favorite part.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
I loved the story!! Yes, indeed food does evoke memories and most of the time they are sweet memories. I love my MIL too. She was a sweetheart! Your cake sounds delicious and the simple crumble topping is ideal on this cake. And apple pie spice is one of my favorites. You know, I’ve stopped wearing perfume because i’ve become very sensitive to smells. To me, most perfumes are too heavy. I like the natural scents and aromas of spices and food. Great recipe.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Marisa. I have to be very careful with my perfumes too. I tend to get a headache with strong smells. Someone aroma of food never ever bothers me. This one smells heavenly.
Jenni
This cake looks SO delicious! I bet it really is THE BEST! 🙂 Can’t wait to try it!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Jenni. It was absolutely delicious.
Ashima
I am totally with you when you say it is amazing how we re connected to food emotionally! Food for me is so much more than just food or a way to satisfy hunger… I feel food is a way to bring everyone together and such a big gateway to memories!
As always your cake recipes are amazing and I love the ease of making this!
Thank you for sharing 🙂
Veena Azmanov
Thank you so much Ashima. Absolutely love how we are connected to food emotionally! Thanks for the lovely comment
Denise Wright
I love that you don’t have to drag out the big mixer for this cake. I love just about every cake but this looks perfect for fall and especially if you have company. Can’t wait to give it a try. I think my father in law would love it!
Veena Azmanov
Yeah I’m lazy to use my mixer sometimes too!! Just all that washing gets to me. I hope he likes it.
Patti
My mother had an apple cake recipe that was her favorite, too. It was very different than this, but it was very good, too. It’s true how certain foods can connect you to your feelings. This cake sounds amazing, and I can’t wait to try it. I’m enjoying the cooler days because I can do more baking. I look forward to trying this recipe.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Patti. It really is amazing how we are emotionally connected to food.
Carrie @ Carrie's Home Cooking
Oh how I wuld love a slice of this with my after dinner cup of tea! Apple anything is a winner in my book! Pinned.
Veena Azmanov
Yup… apple anything is a winner for me too ! I love apple desserts.
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
OH wow, this apple pie cake looks so moist! And the crumble topping? That’s the key to my heart. I need to make this cake this Fall!
Veena Azmanov
I love crumble topping to! In fact I always make extra than the recipe calls for.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
Loving the sounds of this wonderful cake. That topping is so delicious. I would eat this for breakfast…in fact this would make a wonderful brunch item for the weekend. Easy no fuss baking wins for me.
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely Gloria. I love apple pie for breakfast too so this would be perfect as well. Waking up to the aroma of apples and spices..would be heavenly.