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Cinnamon Apple Crumb Loaf Cake

There is something especially comforting about the combination of apples, cinnamon, and buttery crumbs. This Cinnamon Apple Crumb Loaf Cake brings all three together in a soft, tender cake filled with juicy pieces of apple and finished with a generous cinnamon crumb topping.

It is the kind of cake that makes the kitchen smell wonderful while it bakes. The inside stays moist and flavorful, while the crumb topping adds a lightly crisp, buttery texture to every slice. A simple cinnamon glaze can be drizzled over the cooled loaf for an extra touch of sweetness, but the cake is delicious on its own.

Whether you’re serving it alongside coffee in the morning, bringing it to a family gathering, or simply looking for an easy homemade dessert, this loaf is a wonderful choice.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Loaf

This recipe has several layers of flavor and texture without requiring complicated techniques.

Tender and moist cake: The batter produces a soft crumb that pairs beautifully with the apples.
Juicy cinnamon apples: Small apple pieces are distributed throughout the loaf so you get fruit in nearly every bite.
Buttery crumb topping: Brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and butter create a deliciously crumbly topping.
Warm fall flavor: Cinnamon and apples give the loaf a cozy homemade taste.
Easy to prepare: Everything comes together with basic baking ingredients.
Perfect for sharing: Slice it for breakfast, afternoon coffee, dessert, or a casual gathering.

Ingredients

For the Apple Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced into small pieces

For the Cinnamon Crumb Topping

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Optional Cinnamon Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Small pinch of cinnamon

Choosing the Right Apples

You can use almost any baking-friendly apple for this loaf. Apples with a pleasant balance of sweetness and tartness work especially well.

Granny Smith apples provide a brighter, slightly tart flavor, while Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji apples bring more natural sweetness. If your apples are particularly large, you may only need one and a half.

The most important thing is to cut them into small, evenly sized pieces. Large chunks can release too much moisture in concentrated areas and make the loaf harder to slice.

How to Make Cinnamon Apple Crumb Loaf Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some parchment hanging over the long sides. This creates handles that make the finished loaf much easier to lift from the pan.

Set the prepared pan aside while you make the batter.

Step 2: Prepare the Apples

Peel and core the apples, then cut them into small cubes.

Place the diced apples in a bowl and set them aside.

There is no need to cook the apples beforehand. They will soften naturally as the loaf bakes and release just enough moisture to give the cake a lovely fruity texture.