Apple Streusel Cake

Bring the flavors of the season into your kitchen with this homemade Apple Streusel Cake. The recipe combines cozy cinnamon-spiced apples with a moist cake base and crunchy streusel topping, finished with a sweet drizzle of glaze. It’s perfect for making the most of fresh apples and a delicious way to celebrate fall baking.

When fall rolls around, I can’t help but turn to apples. Apples make some of the best fall recipes. They’re one of those ingredients that instantly bring comfort and warmth to the kitchen. This Apple Streusel Cake is a perfect example of why. It’s the kind of recipe you can whip up on a weekend morning, serve with a hot cup of coffee, and feel like you’ve treated yourself to something special. The layers of tender cake, juicy apples, buttery streusel, and spiced glaze come together in a way that feels both simple and indulgent at the same time.

You might remember last year around this time I made this delectable Apple-Cranberry Slab Pie It’s such a fun and tasty recipe. If you missed it, you can find it here. Since I made a pie last year, I decided to go with a cake this time. I couldn’t do a plain ol’ cake, of course, so I’m tossing in a generous amount of crunchy, flavor-packed streusel.

What I love most is how versatile it is. You can serve it for breakfast or brunch, cut a slice for an afternoon snack, or make it the centerpiece of dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s one of those cakes that feels right at home in any situation, whether you’re hosting friends, taking something to share, or just baking it up for yourself. And while it’s especially lovely during apple season, I promise you’ll be tempted to bake it all year long.

While any cake is best served warm, this recipe is also tasty the next day. How can you go wrong with layers of cake, apples, and streusel?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s the perfect mix of flavors and textures. You get a moist, tender cake, juicy apples, a buttery crumb topping, and a drizzle of spiced cider glaze that ties it all .
• This recipe is easy to make but looks impressive. With a simple batter, a quick stovetop apple filling, and a crumb topping, it feels like a special bakery-style treat without the extra fuss.
• It’s versatile enough for any occasion. Serve it warm for breakfast with coffee, slice it up for a fall afternoon snack, or dress it up with ice cream and caramel sauce for dessert.

Looking for more fall-inspired apple recipes? You’re in luck because I have them! Check out this collection of my best apple recipes for fall. I know you’ll find a few new favorites. 

Ingredients

Before we begin, let’s review the ingredients you’ll need for this cake recipe. I’ll walk you through what I used below. 

• All-purpose flour – The base for both the cake and the streusel, giving structure and a soft, tender crumb.
• Brown sugar – Adds sweetness with a hint of molasses, giving both the cake and topping a rich, warm flavor.
• Granulated sugar – Used in the cake batter for a clean sweetness that balances the spices and apples.
• Ground cinnamon – The classic spice that pairs beautifully with apples, adding warmth to both the streusel and glaze.
• Ground nutmeg – A small pinch in the glaze brings a cozy, aromatic depth.
• Ground cloves – Just a touch rounds out the spiced glaze with an earthy, slightly sweet intensity.
• Salt – A pinch enhances flavor and balances the sweetness throughout the cake and toppings.
• Unsalted butter – Melted into the cake, streusel, and apple filling for richness and a soft texture.
• Egg – Helps bind the batter and gives the cake a bit of lift.
• Buttermilk – Adds tang and moisture, ensuring a tender cake crumb.
• Vanilla extract – Infuses warmth and sweetness that ties the flavors together.
• Apples – The star of the recipe, adding juiciness, flavor, and texture. Granny Smiths work well, but other firm, tart apples can be used too.
• Powdered sugar -Forms the base of the glaze, whisking into a smooth drizzle.
• Apple cider – Used in the glaze for a bright, fruity flavor that complements the apples in the cake.

How to Make

And with that, we’re ready to assemble this Apple Streusel Cake. Let’s get to it. I’ll walk you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8-inch springform pan (or a 9-inch square baking pan).
2. Next, prepare your streusel by stirring together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Drizzle this mixture with the melted butter and vanilla. Toss together with a fork to combine.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the apples in the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Stir in the brown sugar. Simmer, uncovered, for about 60 seconds. Remove from the heat and set aside.
4. In a medium bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the melted butter and toss with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the mixture. Add the egg, buttermilk, and vanilla. Stir just until moistened. (The batter will be lumpy.)
5. Spread about 1 cup of the batter into the prepared pan. Spoon the apple filling over the batter in an even layer. Sprinkle with 2/3 cups of the streusel mixture. Drop the remaining batter in small mounds onto the filling. Sprinkle with remaining streusel.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, make the icing by whisking together the powdered sugar, spices, salt, and enough apple cider to create a drizzling consistency.
8. Serve warm, drizzled with the icing. (The cake is still delicious served at room temperature.)

Frequently Asked Questions

What apples work best, and can I mix varieties?

Tart, firm apples hold up beautifully, so Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady are great choices. Mixing two varieties adds a nice balance of sweetness and texture. Very soft apples like McIntosh tend to cook down too much.

How do I know the cake is done without overbaking?

Look for lightly golden edges and a center that springs back when touched. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. If you use an instant-read thermometer, the center should be around 200 to 205°F.

How should I store and can I freeze it?

Keep the cake covered at room temperature for 1 day, then refrigerate for up to 4 days. To freeze, skip the glaze, wrap well, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and refresh in a 300°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes, then glaze before serving.

More Apple-Inspired Recipe You’ll Love

• Frosted Apple Cider Cookies
• Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread
• Apple Pie Sangria
• Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie
• Spiced Apple Cake Cookies

If you’ve been searching for a reliable apple recipe to keep in your back pocket, I think this Apple Streusel Cake deserves a spot. You will definitely want to add this recipe to your fall “must-make list.” I really hope you give this recipe a try, and when you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

Want more from Inspired by Charm? Join the IBC Mailing List for inspiration in your inbox! Follow along on Instagram and TikTok for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration on Facebook and Pinterest! 

Apple Streusel Cake

This Apple Streusel Cake is a delicious baked recipe for fall. Whether you serve it for breakfast, dessert, or as a snack, you’re going to love this sweet treat!

4.93 from 13 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple cake, cake, dessert, streusel

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 438kcal

Ingredients

Streusel:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Cake:

• 2 1/2 cups sliced peeled apples (I used Granny Smith.)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar packed
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter melted
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Icing:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch nutmeg
• Pinch cloves
• Pinch of salt
• 2-3 tablespoons apple cider

Instructions

• Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8-inch springform pan (or a 9-inch square baking pan).
• Next, prepare your streusel by stirring together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Drizzle this mixture with the melted butter and vanilla. Toss together with a fork to combine.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the apples in the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Stir in the brown sugar. Simmer, uncovered, for about 60 seconds. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• In a medium bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the melted butter and toss with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the mixture. Add the egg, buttermilk, and vanilla. Stir just until moistened. (The batter will be lumpy.)
• Spread about 1 cup of the batter into the prepared pan. Spoon the apple filling over the batter in an even layer. Sprinkle with 2/3 cups of the streusel mixture. Drop the remaining batter in small mounds onto the filling. Sprinkle with remaining streusel.
• Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the icing by whisking together the powdered sugar, spices, salt, and enough apple cider to create a drizzling consistency.
• Serve warm, drizzled with the icing. (The cake is still delicious served at room temperature.)

Nutrition

Calories: 438kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 251mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 47g | Vitamin A: 493IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg