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Apple Crumble Cake - A Cozy, Comforting Classic

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • For the crumble: 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • For the cake: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2–3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 2 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon flour (to toss with apples)

Method
 

  1. Prep the pan and oven: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8- or 9-inch square pan or a 9-inch springform with parchment.
  2. Make the crumble: In a bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted butter until clumps form. Chill while you make the cake.
  3. Prep the apples: Toss diced apples with lemon juice and 1 tablespoon flour. This helps keep them bright and prevents sinking.
  4. Dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  5. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
  6. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
  7. Finish the batter: Mix in half the dry ingredients, then the yogurt and milk, then the remaining dry ingredients. Stir just until combined. Fold in the apples.
  8. Assemble: Spread batter evenly in the pan. Crumble the topping over the batter in pea- to marble-sized chunks.
  9. Bake: Bake 45–55 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
  10. Cool and serve: Let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Optional: dust with powdered sugar or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.