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Easy One-Bowl Rustic Apple Crisp Cake with Cinnamon Streusel Topping

Name: Easy One-Bowl Rustic Apple Crisp Cake with Cinnamon Streusel Topping
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 large apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar; 1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar; 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk (or milk with 1/2 teaspoon vinegar, let sit 5 mins); 1/3 cup (40g) all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 3 tablespoons (43g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

By Beginnerbakes Editorial TeamPublished Apr 24, 2026 | Updated Jul 11, 2026

American 60 mins beginner-friendlyeasyone-bowlstep-by-stepquickfruitspicedcomfort-foodmorning-bakeapple cakestreusel topping

This easy one-bowl rustic apple crisp cake blends tender, spiced apple chunks into a moist vanilla batter, topped with a crisp cinnamon streusel. Perfect for a quick breakfast, snack, or beginner-friendly baking project.

Easy One-Bowl Rustic Apple Crisp Cake with Cinnamon Streusel Topping

Prep 15 min

Cook 45 min

Total 60 min

Servings 8

Difficulty easy

Cuisine American

Ingredients

Servings 8

2 large apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk (or milk with 1/2 teaspoon vinegar, let sit 5 mins)
1/3 cup (40g) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons (43g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8-inch (20cm) square or round cake pan, or line it with parchment paper.
Toss diced apples with lemon juice in a medium bowl to prevent browning. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
Add vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Pour in the buttermilk.
Gently mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined; small lumps are okay. Avoid overmixing.
Fold diced apples evenly into the batter.
Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
To make streusel, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Add cold butter pieces.
Use fingers or pastry cutter to rub butter into dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form.
Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over batter in the pan.
Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean and topping is golden.
Let cake cool in pan on wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
Serve warm or at room temperature with tea or coffee for a cozy, comforting treat.