This Apple Cider Crumb Cake is everything cozy fall dreams are made of! It’s extra moist, full of warm apple cider flavor, and topped with a thick layer of buttery brown sugar crumbs. Like your favorite apple cider donut… only softer, cozier, and made for sharing!

If fall had a flavor, this would be it! I love apple cider! Hot or cold, it’s my favorite Fall drink. I discovered Apple Cider Donuts about 5 years ago at a small little Red Barn in Northern Utah and since then, every Fall, I crave Apple Cider cake donuts. I even have a popular recipe for them here on the blog.

However, sometimes I don’t want to go through all the work to fry donuts. Which is what led me to make this delicious snack cake!

Warm apple cider, cozy spices, and a crumb topping that will make you swoon! This Apple Cider Crumb Cake is the ultimate alternative to those Fried Apple Cider Donuts. It’s the kind of cake that will fill your kitchen with the smell of apple orchards and cinnamon dreams. You’re going wish you could bottle the aroma coming from your kitchen!

Grab your apron and let’s get baking friends!

Ingredients

This recipe breaks down into three sections. The streusel crumb topping. The cake and the Vanilla Bean Glaze.

Sreusel Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• Pinch of Salt
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cake

• ½ cup butter, browned – see instructions
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup apple cider
• ½ cup apple sauce
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup sour cream, or you can substitute it with Greek plain yogurt
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract – Yes, an entire tablespoon
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon allspice
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Glaze

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar (aka—powdered sugar)
• 2 Tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste

How To Make Apple Cider Snack Cake

There are a few “preparation” steps you need to do before assembling this cake. Generally, cakes and donuts that proudly bare the name “Apple Cider” do so because of the intense Apple Cider flavor in the cake. To accomplish this, the cider is “reduced” before adding it to the cake batter. This helps to intensify the flavor.

This cake also boasts additional flavor from “browned” butter. It is a simple step that adds a “nutty” hint of flavor to this cake. You can skip this step and just melt the butter, but I highly recommend taking the time to brown it.

Reducing Apple Cider

Begin by reducing the apple cider as it needs to cool before adding it to the cake batter.

In a medium-sized saucepan, add one cup of apple cider. Bring it to a boil. Once it is boiling, reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the cider has reduced in half, you should have a ½ cup of apple cider. Set aside, or place in the refrigerator, to cool.

Browning the Butter

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Prepare a 8×8 baking pan by greasing and lining with parchment paper. Set the pan aside while you prepare the batter.

Place ½ cup of butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir for 5–7 minutes, or until you have a foamy, golden, nutty butter. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside while you work on the streusel crumb.

TIP: Be careful NOT to burn the butter. You know your cooktop better than anyone, so you may only want your heat on medium. Be sure to stir constantly while waiting for it to brown.

Crumb Topping

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and melted butter. (Not the brown butter)

Using a fork, or a pastry blender, mix until you have a coarse crumb. Set aside.

Cake Batter

In a small bowl, combine the “dry ingredients”. The flour, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix with a wire whisk to combine.

In a large bowl, combine the “wet ingredients”. Whisk together brown butter, brown sugar, eggs, sour cream, apple sauce and vanilla. Stir to combine.

Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

Add cooled apple cider to the cake batter.

Stir the cake batter until well combined.

TIP: Be careful not to over beat the cake. Adding too much air, like with any cake, can cause the cake to go flat during baking!

Baking Instructions

To your prepared baking pan, add half your cake batter to the prepared baking pan.

Spread the batter evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan with a silicone spatula.

Using half the streusel crumb, add a layer on top of the cake batter. Place the remaining cake batter on top of the streusel crumb and top the cake off with another layer of streusel crumb.

Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the center springs back when lightly pressed. The center should be slightly firm to the touch, and not wiggly!

Preparing the Glaze

While the coffee cake bakes, work on the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla bean paste. Set the glaze aside.

Recipe Wrap-up

Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes.

Remove the cake by pulling the overhanging parchment paper upward. Set the cake down on the cooling rack on parchment paper. Peel the parchment paper back away from the cake.

Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake. Let the glaze set for a few minutes. Cut and serve!

To serve, cut the cake into squares. The cake can be heated in the microwave and served warm or cool. I prefer it warm, the flavors are so wonderful when warm. However, I wouldn’t turn down a cold slice either!

The center streusel layer adds hints of buttery cinnamon ribbons throughout the cake!

Storage and Freezing Instructions

Please note that any extra cake should be stored in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days. The cake can be frozen by wrapping it well in plastic wrap and placing it inside a freezer Ziploc bag. Freeze up to six months.

Other Favorite Apple Recipes

• Easy Caramel Apple in a Cup
• Easy Apple Almond Galette
• Wonton Apple Pie Bites
• Easy Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe
• Country Apple Dumplings with Warm Cinnamon Sauce
• Apple Crisp Cookie Cups from My Recipe Treasures

This Apple Cider Crumb Cake is the hug-in-a-pan you didn’t know you needed. It’s soft, sweet, and so full of fall flavor that you might just skip the trip to the cider mill. So pour yourself a cup of hot apple cider (let’s go all-in friends and commit to the apple cider love affair), snuggle in, and enjoy a little slice of autumn comfort—right from your own kitchen.

Happy Nesting Friends!

Printable Recipe Card

About the Author