Description

Caramel Apple Crumb Cakes are the ultimate fall dessert. With tender apple chunks, warm spices, and a crumbly topping, these mini loaves are drizzled with rich caramel for the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Whether you’re enjoying them on a cozy weekend or serving them at a gathering, these treats capture the essence of fall.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups apple, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)

For the Crumb Topping:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Pinch of salt

For the Caramel Drizzle:

1/2 cup caramel sauce

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease mini loaf pans or a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Line with parchment paper for easy removal.
Prepare the crumb topping: Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter until it forms coarse crumbs. Set aside.
Make the cake batter: Whisk together dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs, vanilla, and sour cream. Gradually fold in dry ingredients and diced apples.
Assemble the cakes: Divide the batter among loaf pans and sprinkle the crumb topping over the batter.
Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. If using a larger pan, bake for 40-50 minutes.
Drizzle with caramel: Cool cakes, then drizzle with caramel sauce for extra sweetness.
Serve: Serve the cakes warm with coffee or hot apple cider for a cozy fall treat.

Notes

Use tart apples: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples provide the best balance of sweet and tart flavors.
Don’t overmix: When combining the dry and wet ingredients, mix until just combined to ensure a light, fluffy cake.
Cold butter for topping: Ensure butter is cold for the crumb topping, ensuring a crisp, crumbly texture.
Store leftovers: Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They also freeze well!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 mini loaf
Calories: 250
Sugar: 30g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 33g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: Caramel Apple Crumb Cakes, Fall Desserts, Apple Cake, Cinnamon Apple Crumb Cake, Autumn Cake Recipe, Easy Fall Baking, Apple Spice Cake