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applesauce crumb cake recipe

Applesauce Crumb Cake Recipe

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Imagine a slice of warm, golden cake where tender applesauce swirls through a fluffy batter, topped with a buttery, caramelized crumb. This applesauce crumb cake recipe is the ultimate comfort dessert—easy to prepare, deeply satisfying, and perfect for any occasion. The applesauce isn’t just for flavor; it acts as a natural humidifier, keeping the cake moist for up to 5 days. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a restaurant-worthy finish, or enjoy it plain with a drizzle of milk.

Why do professionals love it? Because it’s forgiving! Even if your oven runs hot or you’re baking for the first time, this cake adapts. The crumb topping crisps beautifully whether baked at 350°F (175°C) for 35 minutes or 375°F (190°C) for a slightly darker finish. Plus, it’s budget-friendly—applesauce costs pennies and cuts down on oil or butter.

Whether you’re hosting friends, satisfying a midnight craving, or meal-prepping desserts for the week, this cake delivers. It’s gluten-free adaptable (just swap in almond flour), dairy-free with coconut oil, and naturally vegan if you skip the eggs. Let’s dive into the magic!

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings (9-inch pan)

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour (King Arthur brand recommended for best results)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg (or flax egg: 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water)
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (Canned or fresh-smashed)
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Crumb Topping:

  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
  • 4 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed

Instructions

1. Prep Your Oven and Pan

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round or square baking pan. Line with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Make the Cake Batter

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy (about 2 minutes).
  • Add egg (or flax egg) and vanilla, beating until smooth.
  • Mix in applesauce until combined.
  • Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, alternating with Greek yogurt. Stir just until no flour pockets remain.

3. Assemble the Cake

  • Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly.

4. Prepare the Crumb Topping

  • In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  • Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

5. Bake to Perfection

  • Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over batter.
  • Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Edges should be golden; center will still look slightly underbaked but will finish as it cools.

6. Cool and Serve

  • Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature. Pair with ice cream or whipped cream!

Notes

  • Applesauce Tip: Use unsweetened applesauce for less sugar. Canned works fine—just drain excess liquid.
  • Storage: Keep tightly wrapped at room temp for 3 days or refrigerate for 5 days. Reheat slices in the microwave for 10 seconds for best texture.
  • Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cake slices wrapped in foil for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight.
  • Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose flour for 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
  • Author: KitchenFlavors
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://kitchenflavors.org/applesauce-crumb-cake-recipe/