Applesauce Crumb Cake

Alright, let's get real - applesauce crumb cake (aka applesauce coffee cake) is basically an excuse to eat cake for breakfast and no one can stop you. Soft, spiced, and topped with an oat crumble? Yeah, it's basically therapy you can slice.

Jump to:

• 🍎 Crumble, spice, and everything nice
• 🧾 Ingredients
• ⭐ Ingredient notes
• 🥣 How to make applesauce crumb cake
• 💫 Variations and mix-ins
• 🍽️ Serving suggestions
• 🧺 Storage
• ❓ FAQ
• 📝 Recipe

This cake is ridiculously easy, which is perfect because let's be honest, sometimes life is messy and the last thing you need is a complicated recipe. Applesauce keeps it moist, cinnamon and nutmeg make the kitchen smell like fall and you actually know what you're doing, and the crumb topping - let's just say it might disappear before the cake even cools.

Mix everything together, sprinkle on the topping, bake, and try not to eat the whole pan in one sitting - although I won't judge you if you fail at that last part.

And because I like to keep life simple, if you're into cozy apple desserts, you'll love my mom's Jewish apple cake - it's just as comforting as this crumb cake. Or maybe you're in the mood for something a little different, like apple cider muffins with cinnamon streusel, which are perfect for a quick breakfast anytime. And if you're feeling adventurous, my bacon apple pecan stuffed french toast is a sweet-and-savory twist that's totally worth trying.

🍎 Crumble, spice, and everything nice

Also known as applesauce coffee cake, this cake has been around forever because it's simple, moist, and nearly impossible to mess up. And the crumb topping wasn't just for looks - someone realized decades ago that a little crunch makes everything better. It's the kind of cake that fills the kitchen with fall aromas and somehow convinces you that having dessert for breakfast is acceptable (which it totally is).

🧾 Ingredients

Applesauce cake

• Applesauce
• Sour cream
• Vanilla extract
• Egg
• Sugar
• Light brown sugar
• Flour
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Baking soda

Crumb topping

• Old fashioned oats
• Flour
• Light brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Butter

Glaze (optional)

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Lemon zest (optional)

⭐ Ingredient notes

• Applesauce - This keeps the cake moist without making it heavy. Unsweetened is great if you want to control the amount of sugar, but sweetened works too.
• Sour cream - Gives the cake a tender, almost melt-in-your-mouth texture. You can swap with plain Greek yogurt or non-dairy yogurt for a lighter version.
• Crumb topping - For a dairy-free option, use a plant-based butter to mix your crumb topping together.
• Glaze (optional) - It's just powdered sugar and milk (or a non-dairy milk, if you prefer). Lemon zest is optional, but it does add a nice brightness to the flavor.

See the recipe card below for full list of ingredients and their measurements.

🥣 How to make applesauce crumb cake

Start by preheating the oven to 350°F and greasing a 9" springform pan (see FAQ below for different pan options).

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce, sour cream, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Then, stir in both the granulated sugar and light brown sugar until everything is nicely combined.

Using a separate bowl, stir together the flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just til combined - overmixing can make the cake dense, and we're not here for that.

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Now for the best part - the crumb topping! Mix together the oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a bowl until it's crumbly.

Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly all over the top of the cake batter and then pop the cake in the oven.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean and the cake is lightly golden.

While the cake is cooling, let's make the glaze! Whisk together the powdered sugar and milk - and a little lemon zest if you're feeling fancy.

Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top, slice yourself a nice big piece, and enjoy!

💫 Variations and mix-ins

• 🍎 Extra apple - Stir in ½ cup finely chopped or shredded apple for even more texture and flavor.
• 🌰 Nutty upgrade - Toss ¼ cup of your favorite chopped nuts into the crumb topping for additional crunch.
• 🍫 Chocolate twist - Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the coffee cake batter before adding the crumble - because chocolate makes everything better.
• 🍌 Banana swap - For a slightly different flavor, swap half of the applesauce with a mashed banana.
• 🥛 Dairy-free tweaks - Use a plant-based butter in the topping and non-dairy milk for the glaze.

🍽️ Serving suggestions

This cake is at its absolute best with a hot cup of tea or coffee. I love serving it warm - the cinnamon and applesauce make the whole kitchen smell amazing, and it feels extra cozy that way.

It's perfect as a mid-morning snack, an easy weeknight dessert, or the star of a casual weekend brunch. And if you really want to go all out, add some scrambled eggs and crispy bacon on the side for a full sweet-and-savory experience.

This cake is also right at home for the holidays - a great way to start Thanksgiving morning or to nibble on while everyone's opening presents on Christmas morning.

🧺 Storage

Store the cake in an airtight container on the counter for 2-3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week.

To freeze, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and drizzle with the glaze just before serving.

❓ FAQ

Do you love fall flavors as much as I do? Check out a few more of our delicious recipes:

• Mom's Jewish Apple Cake
• Apple Cider Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel
• Harvest Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze
• Bacon Apple Pecan Stuffed French Toast
• World's Best Apple Pie
• Single Serve Baked Oatmeal - 5 Ways!
• Pork Chops with Apple
• Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew

Did you make this Applesauce Crumb Cake? Let us know in the comments below!

📝 Recipe