Cast Iron Apple Crumb Cake
Our Cast Iron Apple Crumb Cake is absolute bliss. It’s both simple to make and loaded with fall flavors.
A super moist, cinnamon-spiced cake loaded with tender apples and topped with an irresistibly crispy brown sugar crumb topping.
This Apple Crumb Cake is a delightful, versatile treat that brings the comforting flavors of apple and cinnamon together in a moist, tender cake. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy afternoon snack, it’s an easy recipe that will become a staple in your kitchen.
Cast Iron Apple Crumb Cake Recipe Highlights
- Loaded with tender baked apples
- Brown sugar crumb topping is irresistible
- Perfect for breakfast or dessert
- Great for sharing at parties, potlucks, etc.
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
Flour – I used plain all-purpose flour, because it adds the necessary structure to both the cake and crumb topping.
Sugars – Brown sugar adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness and moisture to both the cake and crumb topping. Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb in the cake.
Butter – We use unsalted butter to control the salt content in the recipe. It adds richness and moisture, creating a tender crumb in both the cake and crumb topping.
Apples – I choose Granny Smith apples, because they are both firm and tart, they hold up well during baking and add a fresh apple flavor. You can use baking apple varieties but it may change the texture and sweetness.
Lemon – The lemon juice prevents the apples from browning and adds a touch of brightness. Fresh lemon juice is best, but bottled can be used in a pinch.
Leavening Agents – Baking powder helps the cake rise, creating a light and fluffy texture. Baking soda works with the sour cream to help the cake rise. Ensure both are fresh for best results.
Flavors – Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. Ground cinnamon adds a warm, spiced flavor perfect for fall. Vanilla extract adds a warm, sweet flavor. Pure vanilla extract is preferred for the best taste.
Eggs – Provide structure and richness, helping to bind the ingredients together. They also contribute to the cake’s rise and overall texture. Large eggs are typically used in baking recipes.
Sour Cream – Adds moisture and a slight tang, making the cake tender and rich. Full-fat sour cream works best, but low-fat can be used if needed. Sour cream also reacts with the baking soda to help the cake rise.
How To Make A Cast Iron Apple Crumb Cake
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Prepare crumb topping and refrigerate. Combine apple topping ingredients and set aside.
- Whisk together dry ingredients.
- Cream butter and sugars, add eggs and vanilla.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients and sour cream.
- Layer batter in a greased skillet, add apples, and top with crumb mixture.
- Bake at 350° Fahrenheit for 50-55 minutes. Cool, then slice and serve.
Serving Suggestions
A DRIZZLE OF CARAMEL SAUCE – This apple crumb cake is already a sweet treat, but drizzling some rich caramel sauce over the top takes it to another level of decadence.
DOLLOP OF WHIPPED CREAM – For an extra indulgent touch, a big dollop of fresh whipped cream is the perfect creamy counterpart to the tender cake and crunchy crumb topping.
SCOOP OF ICE CREAM – Warm cake with cold ice cream is a classic combo.
COFFEE OR TEA – Serve with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a comforting snack or dessert experience.
More Delicious Apple Recipes
Planning and Leftovers
STORE – Cover leftover cake and store on the counter for up to 3 days. If you want it to last a little longer, pop it in the fridge where it’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days.
FREEZE – This cake is freezer-friendly too. Once it’s cooled completely, remove the whole thing from the pan. Wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap first, then another layer of aluminum foil. This double wrapping will prevent any freezer burn. You can freeze it for up to 3 months.
THAW – To thaw, unwrap the cake and place on a serving dish and thaw at room temperature on the counter.
Recipe Success Tips
DON’T OVERMIX – When adding the dry ingredients, go slow and mix gently to avoid overworking the batter. Overmixing can lead to tough, chewy cake instead of a light, delicate crumb.
USE FRESH APPLES – Firm, crisp apples like Granny Smiths hold their shape beautifully during baking. If your apples are getting old and mealy, they’ll turn into applesauce instead of maintaining those distinct chunks.
USE COLD BUTTER FOR THE TOPPING – When making the crumb topping, keeping the butter cold is crucial for getting those perfect crumbly bits. If the butter gets too warm and soft, the topping will be more of a solid slab instead of breaking up into crispy crumbs.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use a glass baking dish to make this Apple Crumb Cake?
Glass pans tend to heat more slowly than metal but retain heat longer. You might need to reduce the oven temperature by 25° Fahrenheit and increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes. Keep an eye on the cake to avoid overbaking.
Can I use a meta baking dish to make this Apple Crumb Cake?
Metal pans, especially dark-colored ones, heat up quickly and can cause the edges to brown faster. You might need to reduce the baking time by 5-10 minutes. Check the cake for doneness a bit earlier than the recipe suggests.
More Easy and Delicious Fall Dessert Ideas
Cast Iron Apple Crumb Cake
Ingredients
For the Crumb Topping
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter cold
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Apple Topping
- 2 cups Granny Smith apples 2-3 apples, peeled and diced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
For the Cake
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup butter softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 eggs large
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
- Grease a cast iron skillet with butter and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of flour evenly over the butter.
- Mix the flour, brown sugar, salt, and butter in a small bowl using a pastry cutter or fork. Keep mixing until the pieces look like small peas. Put the bowl in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
- Combine the apples, brown sugar, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Set it aside.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and baking soda in a separate bowl. Set aside.
- Cream the butter in the bowl of your stand mixer on high using the paddle attachment until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the granulated and brown sugar and continue mixing on high until smooth, about 3 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly before adding the second one. Add vanilla extract.
- Add ⅓ of the flour mixture to the stand mixer bowl and beat on low increasing speed as you go along until combined. Add ½ of the sour cream and mix until combined. Continue adding the flour mixture and sour cream until you have a thick batter.
- Spoon the batter into a prepared skillet and smooth it out.
- Strain any juice off the sitting apples and scoop the apple pieces over the top of the batter in an even layer. Top the apples with an even layer of the crumb topping.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes. The top will be very crispy and toasted brown and the middle of the cake will be puffed up a little higher than the edges.
- Cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Drizzle with caramel sauce when ready to serve.
Equipment
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.