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Spiced Apple Cake with Crunchy Topping

This apple cake features tender apple slices baked into a moist crumb flavored with cinnamon and cardamom. It is topped with a buttery, crunchy streusel that adds texture and contrast to the soft, fragrant cake beneath. The final appearance is a golden-brown cake with a textured, crumbly topping that invites a slice to be served warm or at room temperature.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour for the cake and topping
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted for the cake, cold for the topping
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk whole or 2%
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom optional for aromatic flavor
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 medium apples peeled, cored, sliced thinly
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar for the topping
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats for the topping
  • 1/4 cup flour for the topping
  • 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter cubed, for the topping

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • 9-inch springform or cake pan
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Grater or corer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheet (for topping)
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your cake pan and set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom to combine the dry ingredients evenly.
  3. Pour in the melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract, then stir with a spatula until the batter becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
  4. Gently fold in the sliced apples, ensuring they are evenly coated with the batter.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it out evenly with the spatula.
  6. In a separate small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, oats, flour, and cold cubed butter until a crumbly texture forms—this will be your crunchy topping.
  7. Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the batter, covering the surface completely.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Remove from the oven and let the cake rest for 10 minutes before slicing. The aroma of cinnamon and baked apples will fill the kitchen.
  10. Slice into squares, revealing tender apple slices embedded in the moist crumb, topped with a crunchy, buttery streusel.
  11. Serve warm or at room temperature, enjoying the contrasting textures and warming spices in each bite.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, substitute melted coconut oil and dairy-free milk. You can also add a handful of chopped nuts to the topping for extra crunch.