This Apple Streusel Cake is a sweet treat packed with tender apples and a crunchy topping. It’s perfect for dessert or a cozy afternoon snack!
Baking this cake fills the kitchen with a wonderful smell that makes everyone hungry! I love enjoying a slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Yum!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour: The base for the cake, giving it structure. If you’re gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend. I’ve tried this swap, and it works well!
Apples: Granny Smith or Gala are great for their balance of sweetness and tartness. Feel free to use any apples you have on hand, like Fuji or Honeycrisp—they’ll work nicely too!
Butter: Unsalted butter is used here for better control over the cake’s saltiness. If you only have salted butter, reduce the added salt in the recipe to ⅛ tsp.
Milk: Regular whole milk keeps the cake moist, but you can use almond milk, oat milk, or other non-dairy options if you prefer. Just make sure it’s unsweetened to keep flavors balanced.
How Do I Get the Streusel Topping Just Right?
Creating a delicious streusel topping is all about the texture. It should be crumbly enough to create a nice crunch but still stick together. Here’s how to nail it:
- Use cold butter and cut it into small cubes. This helps achieve that crumbly texture.
- Combine the dry ingredients first (flour, brown sugar, cinnamon) before adding the butter.
- Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until you have small pea-sized pieces.
When you sprinkle the streusel on top, don’t worry about it being perfect; it will bake up beautifully!
Apple Streusel Cake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake Base:
- 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120ml) milk
For the Apple Filling:
- 3 medium apples (e.g. Granny Smith or Gala), peeled, cored, and sliced thinly
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
For the Streusel Topping:
- ¾ cup (95g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 6 tbsp (85g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Apple Streusel Cake will take about 15-20 minutes to prepare plus 50-60 minutes to bake. Allow some time for it to cool in the pan afterwards, making it a total of about 1.5 hours before you can enjoy a warm piece of cake!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch (23cm) round cake pan so nothing sticks. This will help your cake come out beautifully!
2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until they’re well combined. Set this bowl aside for a moment as you prepare the wet ingredients.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process should take about 3 minutes. Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract for that wonderful flavor!
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and finish with the flour mix, gently stirring until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake tough!
5. Pour and Spread the Batter:
Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan and spread it out evenly using a spatula.
6. Make the Apple Filling:
In another bowl, toss the thinly sliced apple pieces with sugar, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice. Make sure the apple slices are well-coated with this mixture before layering them over the cake batter.
7. Prepare the Streusel Topping:
In a small bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Then add the cold butter cubes. Using your fingers (or a pastry cutter), combine these ingredients until you create small, crumbly pieces—this is your streusel topping!
8. Assemble and Bake:
Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apple slices. Pop the cake into the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the cake (avoiding the apples and streusel) comes out clean and the top is lovely and golden brown.
9. Cooling Time:
Once done, take the cake out of the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then, gently transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
10. Serve and Enjoy:
Slice the cake and serve it as is, or treat yourself to a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. Enjoy every delicious bite of your moist apple streusel cake!
Can I Use Different Types of Apples for This Cake?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Gala apples are popular choices, you can use any firm apples, like Fuji or Honeycrisp. Just make sure they’re not too soft, or they may turn mushy during baking.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep it longer, refrigerate the cake, which will last for about a week. Just warm it slightly in the microwave for a few seconds when you’re ready to enjoy a slice!
Can I Freeze This Cake?
Yes, you can freeze Apple Streusel Cake! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to protect it from freezer burn. It should hold up well for about 2-3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
What Can I Substitute for Milk in This Recipe?
If you’re out of milk or prefer a non-dairy option, you can use almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk as a substitute. Just make sure any non-dairy milk is unsweetened to keep the cake’s flavor balanced!
