Yield: 9″ chai apple crumb cake // Total Time: 1 hr. 30 min. // Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.
Light and buttery coffee cake, chai spiced apples and a buttery chai streusel.
chai apple crumb cake
This chai apple crumb cake is the perfect transition into fall baking. Light, buttery & moist cake gets topped with chai spiced sliced apples, and is finished off with a simple chai streusel. It’s super easy, perfect for sharing & is sure to be a hit!
recipe tips
weigh your ingredients
Weighing your ingredients is important for getting the recipe perfect and getting consistent results. Not weighing your ingredients can lead to adding too much or too little of an ingredient which can lead to the recipe not turning out properly. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend purchasing a kitchen scale. This one is super cheap and worked well for me when I was starting out!
mix the batter carefully
It is super important to not overmix the cake batter or you end up with a tough and chewy cake rather than a light and moist cake. When alternating between adding the wet and dry ingredients, be sure to only mix just until the ingredient is fully combined and no more.
room temperature ingredients
It is important for the ingredients to be at room temperature so that they properly incorporate with each other. If you have ever had your batter look curdled, it is most likely due to the ingredients separating from being at different temperatures. Take out the egg and buttermilk at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hr 30 min. before starting the recipe OR follow these methods for room temperature ingredients FAST:
- Fast room temperature eggs. Place the egg in a bowl in the sink and continuously run hot water over it for one minute. And there you go – one room temperature egg! Alternatively (and less waste-fully) fill a bowl with warm water and let the egg sit in it for 5 minutes.
- Fast room temperature buttermilk. Microwave the buttermilk in 5 second intervals until it is no longer cold (but not hot!). And there you go – fast and easy room temperature buttermilk!
- Fast room temperature butter. Slice the butter into 1 tbsp. slices and place them flat on a plate. Microwave in 5 second intervals, until you can easily push into the butter.
keep an eye on the cake!
Baked goods love to go from underbaked to overbaked in what seems like a split second. Start checking at the cake with a toothpick around 40 minutes. The cake is done when only a few moist crumbs stick to the toothpick.
ingredients and substitutions
For the chai apples:
Apples: use your favorite baking apple here! I used pink lady (since they are typically the least expensive!) but you can use fuji, gala, jonathan, granny smith, honey gold, or braeburn!
Chai spice: for flavor! It can be found in stores or online. If you are interested in making your own at home, I will have a little recipe listed later in this blog post!
For the chai streusel:
Unsalted butter: the base of the streusel, really what makes it buttery and delicious. You can use salted butter here as well!
Light brown sugar: sweetens and adds flavor to the streusel. In a pinch granulated sugar will work here as well.
All purpose flour: adds structure to the streusel.
Chai spice: for flavor!
For the butter cake:
All purpose flour: the structure of the cake. I would not recommend using cake flour as the cake is already super fluffy and tender using the all purpose.
Baking powder: for helping the cake rise.
Salt: for balancing and bringing out the sweetness of the cake.
Unsalted butter: for tenderizing the cake and giving it that classic buttery taste. You can substitute in salted butter, just omit the extra salt from the recipe.
Granulated sugar: for sweetening the cake and keeping it moist. The sugar also helps aerate the butter to give this cake it’s rise and keep it light and fluffy.
Eggs: for moisture, structure, and binding the batter together.
Vanilla: I use and love this vanilla extract. We will use some vanilla in the bundt, and some in the glaze.
Buttermilk: for tenderizing the cake and adding moisture. I highly recommend using buttermilk but I know it can be hard or annoying to purchase, especially if you don’t plan on using it for anything else. It won’t be completely the same, but you can make a homemade buttermilk substitute. For this recipe, I would combine 45g of sour cream with 105g milk for a substitute.
Apple butter: optional, but adds more apple flavor to the cake and creates a beautiful layer when sliced!
For the chai glaze:
Powdered sugar: the base of the glaze.
Macerated chai apple juice: When you mix together the apples, sugar, and chai spice and let it sit at the start of the recipe, the apples are being macerated and will release some juices. Keep those juices behind and use them for the glaze!
how to make chai apple crumb cake
Here are just some photos of what the cake looks like at various stages of making it. The full recipe is at the end of the blog post!
how to make your own chai spice
If you are interested in making your own chai spice, here is what I used for this recipe! This will make enough for the amount needed in this recipe (4 1/2 tsp.) You can change up the amounts to your preference – every chai spice is different!
2 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. each of the following: ground allspice, ground cardamom, ground cloves, ground ginger
chai apple crumb cake q&a
can I double this recipe?
Definitely! Simply double all of the ingredients in this crumb cake then split evenly between two 9″ cake pans.
how to store chai apple crumb cake
Like most baked goods, this cake will taste best served on the day it is baked. However, it can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
why do you measure in grams?
My recipes are all written in grams because it is the most accurate way to bake. When you use a kitchen scale, you ensure that your baked goods turn out as close to the written recipe as possible. Plus, the cleanup is way easier when using a scale! I will provide standard cup measurements but please note that I have not tested the recipe using cup measurements and therefore can not guarantee your recipe will come out how mine did. Here is my favorite kitchen scale.
a note on oven temperature
Ovens vary and fluctuate in temperature and aren’t always at the temperature they claim to be. If you love to bake like I do, I highly recommend getting an oven thermometer. They are super helpful for letting you know when your oven might be lying to you! I use this one.
tools and ingredients
You can find all my favorite tools and ingredients that I use on my Amazon Storefront page, here!
did you make this chai apple crumb cake?
If you made this chai apple crumb cake I would love to see it and know your thoughts! Please leave a comment and review down below, and tag me on Instagram @freshbeanbakery. If you have any questions about the recipe I will gladly do my best to answer them in the comments below!
Chai Apple Crumb Cake
Ingredients
Chai Apples
- 3 small apples peeled & thinly sliced
- 40 g light brown sugar (3 tbsp.)
- 1 tbsp. chai spice
Chai Streusel
- 60 g unsalted butter (¼ c.)
- 90 g light brown sugar (⅓ c. + 1 tbsp.)
- 120 g all purpose flour (1 c.)
- 1 ½ tsp. chai spice
Butter Cake
- 190 g all purpose flour (1 ½ c. + 1 tbsp.)
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- 125 g unsalted butter (½ c. + 1 tbsp.) room temperature
- 170 g granulated sugar (¾ c. + 2 tbsp.)
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 150 g buttermilk (⅔ c.) room temperature
- 180 g apple butter (⅔ c.) optional
Chai Glaze (optional)
- 90 g powdered sugar
- 1-2 tbsp. macerated chai apple juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C. Generously butter a 9" cake pan. Crumple up some parchment paper, then un-crumple it and place it into the buttered cake pan, making sure it sticks to the bottom and sides. Set aside.
Chai Apples
- Wash, peel, and thinly slice the apples. Mix the apples with the brown sugar and chai spice well, making sure the mixture is evenly dispersed throughout each apple slice. Set aside.
Chai Streusel
- In a medium sized bowl, melt the butter. To the butter, add the sugar, flour, and chai spice. Use a fork to mix the ingredients together until you have formed clumps of dough. Set aside.
Butter Cake
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or with a hand mixer, in a large bowl) beat together the butter and sugar for 3-4 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add in both eggs and the vanilla. Beat until well combined (~1 min.)
- Add in half of the flour mixture, and mix by hand just until the flour is incorporated. Add in all of the buttermilk and mix until combined. Add in the rest of the flour, and lightly fold the mixture together just until all of the flour is incorporated.
- Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth out the top. Place dollops of the apple butter on top of the cake, then carefully smooth it into an even layer.
- Pour the remaining cake batter into the pan and smooth it out into an even layer. Place the apples on top of the batter, making sure to leave out the juice from the apples. (Be sure to keep the leftover juice for the glaze!)
- Top the apples with the streusel. Bake for 40-50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool in the pan until no longer too hot to touch, then use the parchment to lift the cake out of the pan.
Chai Glaze (optional)
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and leftover juice from the apples. If the mixture is too thick, add some more juice, or milk if none is left. If the mixture is too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Once the cake has cooled to room temperature, drizzle the glaze over the top. Serve and enjoy!
Deora says
I was wondering, could I use a Bundt cake pan for this recipe? Or even a rectangular 13×9? I don’t currently own a round cake pan so I was wondering how I could improvise. Thanks!
Erin says
Hello! I’d recommend the 13×9 over the bundt cake pan and you’ll probably want to double the batter so that the cake isn’t super thin. I’d love to know how it turns out if you do end up trying it!
Grace says
This recipe was divine! I omitted the apple butter because my store didn’t have it, and it still turned out great! I will definitely be making this many times this autumn 🙂
Erin says
Thank you so much Grace, I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
Sara Brown says
Hey! I could make the chai spice, but I was also wondering what brand you would recommend if I want to buy it. Thanks.
Erin says
Hello! I used to use King Arthur Chai Spice but ever since they discontinued I make my own. If you’d like to buy one I would just recommend looking at the spices each brand uses and picking one that matches your taste!
Juana says
Too much chai spice in my opinion and it was underbaked after 50minutes.
Really good tho, I wanna try making it again
Erin says
Hi, thank you so much for making the recipe! If it was underbaked your oven may be at a lower temperature than it claims to be, I would definitely recommend to bake it until a toothpick comes out clean 🙂 and you can definitely lower the chai amount to your preference!
India Niles says
first autumn bake of the year! Saw this on tik tok and just had to make it, recipe was super easy to follow and the cake was delicious. will definitely be making again!
Erin says
Ah thank you so much, I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
Lizy says
This cake turned out AMAZING I love chai and this is a perfect fall dessert for chai lovers!
Erin says
Ahh thank you so much, I’m so happy you liked the recipe! 🙂
Adelaide Miller says
I’ve found the perfect fall dessert! The cake component is super light and fluffy, and I added a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg to it to give it some extra flavor. The chai apples and streusel on top were perfect! I did save the macerated apple juice for a glaze, which was also delicious! Overall, a definite crowd-pleaser!
Erin says
Ah you are too kind, I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
Katy says
I saw your Tie Tok and knew I had to make this recipe pronto. I did not have apple butter, but combined some extra chai spice with butter. I also used a 8×8 pan instead of a spring form. This was absolutely delicious. It is the perfect fall treat and a must to make. Definitely will be making again!K
Erin says
Thank you so much, I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
Jessica says
Hi
I’m a chef and want to make this for a restaurant but how do you make the apple butter.
Thanks
Erin says
Hello! The apple butter isn’t homemade, I buy it from the store! The brand I used was Musselman’s.
Jessica says
Hello wanted to ask how to make the apple butter.
Taryn says
This has become my favourite fall recipe! I’ve made it 3 or 4 times since I found it on tiktok a month or so ago 🙂 It tastes like the perfect combination of apple baked goods, like a cross between a cake, crumble, and pie.
Instead of buttermilk I use greek yogurt thinned out with water. I’ve tried it both ways, but find the yogurt adds a little more moisture and tang. I also add a few cracks of black pepper to the chai spice. I find I usually have a lot of sliced apples and streusel left over, so I freeze the extra streusel for next time (one batch of streusel is usually enough for two cakes for me). Next time I make it I’m going to try adding a layer of streusel in the batter. Thanks for the amazing recipe!!!
Molly says
saw this cake on tiktok and was immediately obsessed – it tastes even better than it looks! i’ve made it twice now and i’ll definitely be making it again. the perfect fall recipe!
Erin says
Aw thank you so much, I’m so happy you like the recipe! 🙂
Marlee Roche says
I just took the cake out of the oven, and it smells so good! Recipe was super easy to follow. Can’t wait to try the cake!
Erin says
Thank you so much for making my recipe! Hope you enjoyed! 🙂