Name: Apple Streusel Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; ½ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup milk; 2 cups apples, peeled and diced; ½ cup brown sugar; ⅓ cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ cup cold unsalted butter

This Apple Streusel Cake is the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug. It’s perfectly moist, lightly spiced, and crowned with a buttery crumble topping that adds just the right amount of crunch. Whether you’re baking for a cozy weekend treat, a brunch gathering, or a simple weeknight dessert, this cake brings the comforting flavors of apple and cinnamon together in every bite.

There’s something nostalgic about the smell of apples and cinnamon baking in the oven. This cake fills the house with an irresistible aroma, and once it’s out of the oven, it’s nearly impossible to wait for it to cool. The streusel topping caramelizes just enough to create a golden crust, while the inside remains soft and tender.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Streusel Cake

This cake hits the perfect balance of texture and flavor. The tender cake is packed with juicy apple bits and warmly spiced with cinnamon, then topped with a golden streusel that adds that bakery-style finish. It’s simple to make but tastes like you spent all day baking. It stores beautifully, and can even be served for breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea.

What Kind of Apples Should I Use?

For the best texture and flavor, go with firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These varieties hold up well during baking and bring a lovely contrast to the sweet crumb topping. You can also mix different types of apples for a more complex flavor profile.

Ingredients for the Apple Streusel Cake

This cake uses kitchen staples with the bonus of fresh apples and a crumbly streusel topping. That means no fancy trips to the store, just simple, delicious ingredients coming together in one pan.

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt
Ground cinnamon
Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Milk
Apples

Each element plays a role: flour provides structure, butter brings richness, sugar sweetens, and cinnamon brings that unmistakable cozy aroma. The apples add moisture and flavor, while the streusel topping is the star that makes this cake unforgettable.

How To Make the Apple Streusel Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Topping

In a bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter using a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

Cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating with milk.

Step 3: Fold in the Apples

Peel and dice the apples, then gently fold them into the batter. Make sure they’re evenly distributed so you get apple goodness in every bite.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Spread the batter into a greased baking pan. Sprinkle the prepared streusel topping generously over the batter. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

How to Serve and Store Your Apple Streusel Cake

This cake is perfect fresh from the oven while still warm, maybe even with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Once cooled, it becomes a perfect snack cake you can enjoy any time of day. It feeds around 8 to 10 people, making it ideal for small gatherings.

To store, cover tightly and keep at room temperature for up to two days. You can also refrigerate it for up to five days, or freeze slices for longer storage. Just warm them up before serving to bring back that just-baked feel.

What to Serve With Apple Streusel Cake?

Coffee or Chai Tea

A warm drink brings out the cinnamon notes and complements the buttery cake beautifully.

Vanilla Ice Cream

The contrast between warm cake and cold ice cream is dessert heaven.

Salted Caramel Drizzle

Drizzle over the top for extra indulgence.

Fresh Whipped Cream

A light, airy topping that doesn’t overpower the cake.

Sharp Cheddar Cheese

For a sweet-and-savory twist, try a slice with a sliver of cheddar—an old-school pairing that really works.

Warm Spiced Cider

Especially perfect in the fall, cider enhances the apple flavor.

Greek Yogurt

Serve a slice for breakfast with a spoonful of yogurt on the side.

Want More Cake Ideas?

If you love this Apple Streusel Cake, you’ll enjoy these other cozy cake creations:

Pumpkin Bread With Maple Cream Cheese Filling for a fall favorite with a creamy twist.
Butter Pecan Cheesecake for a rich and nutty treat.
Carrot Pound Cake if you’re in the mood for something hearty and spiced.
Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls for a fruity swirl of sweetness.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you add raisins or swap the apples for pears? Did you double the streusel?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too, let’s help each other bake smarter.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks on Zoe Recipes on Pinterest and discover your new go-to for feeling great!

Conclusion

This Apple Streusel Cake is one of those timeless bakes you’ll find yourself making again and again. It’s rich in flavor, easy to make, and crowd-pleasing in every way. Whether you’re baking for friends or just for yourself, this cake brings comfort, joy, and a whole lot of apple-filled goodness to the table.