This cake is so simple but satisfying. It's a scrumptious apple cake with buttery sugar streusel sprinkled on top. It's delicious and before you know it you'll be going for seconds!
There is nothing like an apple cake fresh out of the oven. The aromas, the soft cake, the first bite of buttery cake and apple flavours...I'm in heaven just thinking about it!
This cake is perfect for any occasion. Whether it's a dinner party and you need to quickly bake something, or a simple weekend treat. It is decadent and spectacular.
My favourite part about this cake is how simple it is. Everything gets mixed together in one bowl, spread into the pan, sprinkled with streusel, and baked to perfection.
For more apple bakes, try Apple Breakfast Cake, Applesauce Coffee Cake, and Apple Oatmeal Muffins.
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Why this recipe works
- Breakfast idea – This is a great recipe to make ahead of time and then enjoy with your morning coffee!
- Easy to make – This cake comes together with just a few simple steps!
- Apples – Perfect to use up apples any time of the year.
Ingredients Notes
Full recipe and ingredients are in the recipe card below. Feel free to scroll through this section to view certain key ingredients we’re using!
- Apples – I used 2 large Granny Smith apples. You can use any kind of apples though. I prefer using a tart apple in this cake as it compliments well with the sweetness. I had 2 cups total, sliced into small cubes. I chopped them with the skin off, but you can keep it if you wish.
- Butter - This is used for both the cake and the streusel.
- Cornstarch – This helps add a tender crumb to the cake and keeps the apples from sinking to the bottom.
- Eggs – Make sure they’re at room temperature before beginning.
- Flour – All-purpose flour is used in this recipe.
Step by step instructions
Here is how to make and bake this apple streusel cake. You will need a 9 inch springform pan, 3 mixing bowls, a spatula, and an electric handheld mixer.
Step 1 – Prep. Grease the pan. For easy removal of the cake, place parchment paper on the bottom of the springform pan and grease the sides all around. Peel and cut one of the apples into small cubes, and shred the other one. Set aside.
Step 2 – Make the streusel. In a medium sized bowl, add flour, white sugar, and softened butter. Using a fork or your hands, mix this until combined. Set aside in the fridge when done.
Step 3 – Mix dry ingredients. In another medium sized bowl, add in flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine and set aside.
Step 4 - Cream butter and sugar. In a large bowl, add the butter and sugar. Cream together for 2-3 minutes on medium speed until well combined and pale in colour.
Step 5 - Add in eggs. Add in the eggs, and mix on medium speed until smooth. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Step 6 - Mix in sour cream and vanilla. Add in the sour cream and vanilla and continue mixing until combined.
Step 7 - Mix together. Add the dry and the wet ingredients together and using a spatula, gently fold until just combined.
Step 8 - Add the apples. Add them into the batter and mix until just combined and evenly distributed. Don't over-mix!
Step 9 - Transfer and sprinkle. Transfer the batter into the prepared springform pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the streusel evenly on top.
Step 10 - Bake. Bake the cake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Every oven differs, so keep an eye on it after 45 minutes. Mine took 1 hour total.
When the cake is ready, turn your oven off and slightly open your oven door and allow to hot air to come out. Keep it like this for 5 minutes before removing the cake from the oven and placing it on your counter to cool.
This cake can slightly drop in the middle after baking, this is normal. You can prevent it from dropping more by doing the step above, and also not 'slamming' it onto your counter (Gently moving it).
Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and enjoy! This cake is so delicious and simple to bake.
This cake stays good on your counter for 1-2 days, and in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Expert Baking Tips
Here are a few expert baking tips from my kitchen to yours
- Use a gram scale. I cannot emphasize this enough! It is the most accurate way of measuring your ingredients in the kitchen. This is one of my favourites.
- Do not over-mix! A big reason cakes don’t rise or turn out tough is because the batter is over-mixed. Once you see no flour streaks, stop mixing.
- Use fresh, not frozen. Make sure to use fresh apples!
- To make ahead of time: Bake, cool, slice, and store in an airtight container or wrap in foil/saran wrap.
FAQ
Can I bake this in a 9x9 pan?
Yes, but the cake will bake for a different amount of time. I haven't tested this so I can't say how long exactly.
Do I have to shred AND cut the apples?
No. You can do one or the other. I prefer doing both as it adds a lot more texture into the cake.
What size is your springform pan?
9 inches. This is the one I use!
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Apple Streusel Cake
Ingredients
For the cake
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 3/4 cups white sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup sour cream room temperature
- 2 medium sized Granny Smith apples one shredded & one cut into cubes (about 2 cups total)
For the streusel
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 5 tbsp butter softened
- 1/3 cup white sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. For easy removal of the cake, place parchment paper on the bottom of the springform pan and grease the sides all around. Peel and cut one of the apples into small cubes, and shred the other one with the large side of the grater. Set aside.2 medium sized Granny Smith apples
For the streusel
- In a medium sized bowl, add flour, white sugar, and softened butter. Using a fork or your hands, mix this until combined and crumbly. This will be your streusel. Set aside in the fridge when done.3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 5 tbsp butter, 1/3 cup white sugar
For the cake
- In another medium sized bowl, add in flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine and set aside.1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 3/4 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt
- In a large bowl, add the butter and sugar. Cream together for 2-3 minutes on medium speed until well combined and pale in colour.1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cups white sugar
- Add in the eggs, and mix on medium speed until smooth. This should take about 2-3 minutes.2 large eggs
- Add in the sour cream and vanilla and continue mixing until combined.1/4 cup sour cream, 1 tbsp vanilla
- Add the dry into the wet and using a spatula, gently mix until just combined and no flour streaks appear.
- Add the apples into the batter and mix until just combined and evenly distributed. Don't over-mix!2 medium sized Granny Smith apples
- Transfer the batter into the prepared springform pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the streusel evenly on top.
- Bake the cake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Every oven differs, so keep an eye on it after 45 minutes. Mine took 1 hour total.
- When the cake is ready, turn your oven off and slightly open your oven door and allow to hot air to come out. Keep it like this for 5 minutes before removing the cake from the oven and placing it on your counter to cool.
- This cake can slightly drop in the middle after baking, this is normal. You can prevent it from dropping more by doing the step above, and also not 'slamming' it onto your counter (Gently moving it).
- Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and enjoy! This cake is so delicious and simple to bake.
- This cake stays good on your counter for 1-2 days, and in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Bianca says
Very tasty cake . What a great idea to shred the apples , it gives the cake very nice texture. Thanks for the recipe.
Ania says
Thanks Bianca for the sweet message! Happy to hear you love the recipe!