This is the cake of the season. You know those desserts that just scream fall? Well, this Brown Butter Apple Cake is doing just that, but with a megaphone. I’m a firm believer that brown butter makes everything exponentially better, and when you combine it with cinnamon in every layer of this cake—pure magic happens. The spicy richness, the buttery crumb, and the tender apples… it’s like autumn wrapped up in every bite. The flavors are bold, and it’s delicious. Plus, that cream cheese glaze on top? You’ll be licking the plate (no judgment). Whether you’re serving this for a family dinner or just treating yourself on a cozy night, this cake will not disappoint!
Ingredients:
Unsalted Butter: This is the star of the recipe. Browning the butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that elevates the entire cake, giving it a warm and toasty undertone. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt levels in the recipe.
Sour Cream: Sour cream keeps the cake incredibly moist and tender, adding a slight tang that balances the sweetness. It also helps to activate the baking powder, giving the cake a fluffy rise.
Whole Milk: Whole milk brings richness and moisture to the batter, creating a soft and tender crumb. Its fat content contributes to the overall richness of the cake.
Eggs: Eggs provide structure and stability to the cake. They also help to bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake’s light, airy texture.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavors of all the ingredients, adding a sweet, warm aroma that complements the apples and spices.
Granulated Sugar: Sugar adds sweetness to the cake and helps in creating a tender crumb. It also helps the cake to achieve a beautifully golden color as it bakes.
All-Purpose Flour: Flour provides the structure and body of the cake. It helps to hold the apples and crumble topping together while giving the cake its soft yet sturdy texture.
Fine-Grained Salt (¼ teaspoon): Salt enhances the flavors in the cake, balancing out the sweetness and intensifying the flavors of the apples and spices.
Baking Powder: Baking powder helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy. The combination of baking powder with sour cream gives the cake an excellent rise without being too dense.
Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Cinnamon adds warmth and spice, making this cake perfect for fall. It pairs beautifully with the apples and enhances the cozy flavors of the cake.
Apples: Apples add natural sweetness, moisture, and a slight tartness to balance the richness of the brown butter. Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to hold their shape during baking.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness that complements the caramelized flavors of the apples and the richness of the butter. It also creates a moist texture in both the cake and the crumble.
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese in the glaze adds tanginess and richness, which pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the cake. Its creamy texture makes the glaze smooth and spreadable.
Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar adds sweetness to the glaze while keeping it light and smooth. It dissolves easily, ensuring a creamy consistency.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- ½ cup unsalted butter browned
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon fine-grained salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Spiced Apples
- 2 cups peeled and diced apples I used Honeycrisp
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
For the Crumble Topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Glaze
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon milk adjust as needed
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: In a small saucepan, melt ½ cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter turns a deep golden brown and smells nutty (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and let it cool for 5-10 minutes. NOTE – if you do not want to brown the butter, you can use melted butter!
- NOTE – if you do not want to brown the butter, you can use melted butter!
- NOTE – if you do not want to brown the butter, you can use melted butter!
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the browned butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Mix until smooth. Add the 2 eggs and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, and whisk together. Stir in the ⅓ cup of milk and ½ cup of sour cream until the mixture is well combined.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – you want the cake to be tender. Grease a 9-inch round pan or line it with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and spread it evenly.
- Prepare the Spiced Apples: In a small bowl, toss the 2 cups of peeled and diced apples with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Once coated, sprinkle the apples evenly over the batter.
- Make the Crumble Topping: In another bowl, mix together 3 tablespoons of melted butter, ½ cup flour, ½ cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until a crumbly texture forms. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples and cake batter.
- Bake Apple Crumb Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the apple crumb cake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze: While the apple crumb cake is cooling, make the glaze. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of room-temperature butter and 2 tablespoons of room-temperature cream cheese. Mix until smooth. Gradually add ½ cup of powdered sugar, adjusting the consistency with 1 teaspoon of milk until you reach your desired glaze thickness.
- Finish and Serve your Apple Crumb Cake: Once the apple crumb cake has cooled slightly, drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the top. Slice into 12 pieces and serve. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Storage Instructions
- Storage: Store leftover apple crumb cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheat: To reheat, place a slice of your apple crumb cake in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to enjoy that warm, just-baked texture. If you prefer a slightly crisp topping, pop it in the oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes.
More of my recipes
Do you LOVE apple recipes?! Check out more of my amazing apple desserts!
Conclusion
This Brown Butter Apple Crumb Cake is the ultimate fall dessert. With layers of warm spices, tender apples, a rich crumb topping, and a tangy cream cheese glaze, it’s a slice of comfort perfect for any autumn occasion. The brown butter adds a nutty richness that takes the cake to the next level, and the apples provide that cozy, sweet flavor we all crave when the weather gets cooler.
Love the taste of fall in every bite? Try this Brown Butter Apple Crumb Cake and share the love! Perfect for cozy gatherings, holiday feasts, or just because. If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to share it with friends and leave a comment below! 🍏🍂
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