Fresh apples and a streusel topping make this Apple Crumble Cake a delicious treat for fall. It is great for breakfast with coffee, or you can warm it up and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. It’s your call.
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When September hits, I’m all about the apple and pumpkin treats and wanting to wear sweatshirts and jeans in the cooler air. This apple praline cake from a few weeks ago totally got me in the fall baking spirit.
But our weather is not cooperating with my fall wants. This past weekend it was 90 degrees or higher each day, and our air conditioner decided to break.
It was ok because we ended up being gone each day. We did some biking, swimming, and hot dog eating for the holiday weekend. But let me tell you, sleeping in a hot muggy house with just a fan is not fun…especially when you have been spoiled with air. I have mad props for those of you who do this regularly.
Last week I had some apples that needed used up because we all forgot about the bag of apples in the crisper drawer.
At first I thought about making another variation of this cheesecake apple pie because it is definitely a favorite fall treat here.
But then I saw this recipe in an old cookbook I had picked up at Goodwill. Gotta love those 50 cent finds, right?
As I sat reading the recipe, I started marking different things to do to the recipe. Not major changes, but little tweaks based on how I like to bake.
I love using brown sugar in baked goods because it keeps everything so soft. I also increased the crumble topping and added a glaze.
But the biggest thing that I did was to use a little bit of ground star anise in the batter. This isn’t a spice I use very often, and it isn’t one that you normally think to pair with apples. But it gave the apple cake that little bit of different spice that was just amazing! I cannot wait to use it again!!!
Make sure you cut your apples into very thin slices. You want them to bake with the cake. Also, do not layer the apples on the batter. The slices should be flat with the batter, so everything can bake evenly.
I baked mine for 35 minutes in a 9-inch springform pan. Use a toothpick to check the middle of your cake at the 35 minute mark. There should be a few crumbs still on it. If it still has batter on it, bake it another few minutes. Just remember it will continue to bake a little more in the pan while it cools on the counter.
Once it cools, the cake is ready to dive into. Or drizzle on a little glaze to make it pretty. I always opt for the glaze…of course that might be my sweet tooth talking.
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Fresh apples and a crumble topping make this apple spice cake a delicious fall cake.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon powdered star anise
- 2 cups thinly sliced apples
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup quick oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 Tablespoons cold butter
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
- Beat the butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add the applesauce, yogurt, and vanilla and beat again.
- Stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and star anise. Slowly beat it into the butter mixture. Line a 9 inch springform pan with parchment paper. Spray the sides with non stick spray. Spread the batter in the pan. Line the apples up side by side on the batter.
- Mix together the flour, oats, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the top of the apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs on it. Let cool completely. Remove the sides of the pan.
- Stir together powdered sugar and water. Drizzle over the top of the cake. Cut into 10 slices. Store in a loosely sealed container for 2-3 days.
More apple desserts to try this fall:
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Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I LOVE that you used Star Anise here! I don’t use it often..or ever…except when I make chicken stock for noodle soup. THE SECRET.
BUT, I am craving all things apple right now, so this cake is calling me! Pinned!
Jocelyn says
It’s a spice I don’t use very often at all, but as soon as I opened the jar I knew it needed to be paired with this apple cake. Now you have me curious how it is in soup!!! Thanks for the pin love!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
Everything about this cake screams fall. I love it! I looks delightful!
Jocelyn says
Yes, bring on all the fall goodies, right?
Mir says
Boy, does this look good. I’ve never used star anise powder before, but now it’s on my baking bucket list! I agree that 90 degrees in September has been bizarre, but I’m holding onto the heat for as long as it wants to keep me company!
Jocelyn says
You can have all of our extra heat…I’m good with the 60 degree days! LOL! I hope you try the anise powder…I can’t believe how awesome it is!
TammyO says
Star anise with apple cake sounds cool! My grandma, who is Mennonite makes chicken soup with whole star anise. Sounds crazy, but it’s delicious!
Jocelyn says
You are the second one to tell me about soup and anise…I’m definitely intrigued!!!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Gorgeous apple cake Jocelyn, I’d love this for breakfast. Broken AC is the pits. It’s been in the 90’s around here too, but thankfully our little window unit keeps chugging…have never used powdered star anise before and so now my curiosity is up and will have to try it out in this cake.
Jocelyn says
Thank you so much Allie!
Melanie @ Gather for Bread says
I love everything about the word crumble when it comes to dessert. This would be perfect with coffee!
Jocelyn says
Something about crumble just yells to be made and eaten! And yes, this cake and coffee is amazing together.
Beth says
You make me laugh! We try to not turn our air on.. but I think it’s been on more this past week then the whole summer. I’m ready for fall! And apples, and cake!
Jocelyn says
We try to keep ours off too, but mother nature is laughing at us every day. So it comes back on in the afternoons. I am so ready for fall all day, every day!
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
As soon as I saw a picture of this super crumbly apple stuffed cake I knew I had to come check out the recipe! It looks absolutely delicious Jocelyn! I’m intrigued by the powdered star anise, I’ll be checking that stuff out.
Jocelyn says
Thank you so much Danae. I think you will love the anise too! Definitely try it!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
It’s so weirdly hot- but I still want fall flavors! That star anise sounds fab 🙂
Kentuckylady717 says
Yum, they all sound so good….which should I make first…that is the real question….I like the sound of anise in the cake, I do like that spice, and the glaze just took it to the top 🙂
Thanks Jocelyn…..
Jocelyn says
Just make them all…a marathon baking day sounds like a plan! LOL!
Anne says
I think half of my cookbooks came from Goodwill. Gotta love it! What was the book where you found the original recipe?
Jocelyn says
I love looking for old cookbooks at Goodwill…I think this one actually came from an old Pillsbury cookbook. I tried to find the recipe online, but didn’t see anything like it on their website.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Those crumbles! That glaze! This is the perfect fall cake!
It’s 95F here in San Diego, so hot in my kitchen as I’m doing all my ‘fall baking’… 🙂 I can relate to your hot weather!
Jocelyn says
Crumbles and glaze definitely make for one awesome fall cake. I do not envy your heat in CA right now…that would be so hard to get in the fall baking mode!
Chels+R. says
Mmm, love those apple slices in there. Looks amazing.
Michele @ Alwayzbakin says
What a fabulous looking Fall recipe! I’m SO excited to make pumpkin/apple recipes these next few months. This sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing. 😉
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
Wow! That looks seriously magical, all that crumbly and that sweet glaze. I’m in love! Your photos are absolutely stunning too!
Jocelyn says
Thank you so much Jessica! I appreciate the sweet comment on the photos…I have been trying a new lens and editing program 🙂
Melissa @ Treats With a Twist says
Oh it’s so hot and muggy here too! I’m just pretending it’s fall already with my baking.
Crumble sounds DIVINE. Love!
Jocelyn says
I’m good with ignoring the heat and pretending it is fall!!!
Michelle @ My California Kitchen says
Love that you increased the crumble topping (I pretty much always do that!!) 🙂 This cake is perfect for me in every way! Pinned!
Jocelyn says
Extra crumble just makes more sense!!! Thank you for the pin love!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
This looks like the perfect apple crumble cake! I wish I had a slice waiting for me for breakfast!! 🙂
Jocelyn says
It really does make an awesome breakfast treat…just saying. 😉
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
I’m so sad summer is ending, but I’m excited for all the yummy fall flavors. Great recipe!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
We are going through a major heat wave right now. When your house never gets below the mid eighties it is tough! I want to bake all the things but I can’t stand the thought of turning on my oven LOL
Jocelyn says
Ok, I’m done complaining about my heat…you guys have us beat! I wouldn’t be baking if it was that hot either.
Erin @ Making Memories says
Oh yes please!
Karina says
I made this cake the other night, I couldn’t find star anise in my cupboard, but it was delicious anyway!! It was so yummy warm from the oven on an autumn night! Thanks for the recipe!
Jocelyn says
I am so glad you tried it and loved it. It’s such a good fall treat!
DogRescuer says
Hi Jocelyn,
Quick question. I am about to make this tomorrow and since I cannot really cook or bake, I have to follow recipes to a T.
You said, “Also, do not layer the apples on the batter. The slices should be flat with the batter, so everything can bake evenly.” You mean I shouldn’t layer the slices on top of one another? I don’t know if it’s just me and I am missing something obvious here, it just kinda got me confused for a sec.
Thanks a lot!
Jocelyn says
I’m sorry that does sound kind of confusing, huh? You just one even layer of apples on the batter, so everything can bake evenly. Do not overlap the apple slices if you can help it. I hope that helps and you enjoy the cake!
DogRescuer says
Got it! Thanks so much! I am mixing the batter now. 🙂