Description
A cozy spiced crumb cake layered with tender chai-infused apples, buttery streusel, and an optional sweet chai glaze—perfect for autumn mornings, tea time, or dessert.
Ingredients
3 small apples, peeled and thinly sliced
40 g light brown sugar (3 tbsp)
1 tbsp chai spice
60 g unsalted butter (¼ cup)
90 g light brown sugar (⅓ cup + 1 tbsp)
120 g all-purpose flour (1 cup)
1½ tsp chai spice
210 g all-purpose flour (1¾ cups)
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
125 g unsalted butter (½ cup + 1 tbsp), room temperature
175 g granulated sugar (¾ cup + 2 tbsp)
2 eggs, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
135 g whole milk, room temperature (½ cup + 2 tbsp)
75 g sour cream, room temperature (5 tbsp)
180 g apple butter (⅔ cup), optional
90 g powdered sugar
1–2 tbsp macerated chai apple juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously butter a 9-inch cake pan. Crumple and un-crumple parchment paper, then line the pan so it sticks to the butter. Set aside.
- Peel and thinly slice the apples. Toss them with brown sugar and chai spice until evenly coated. Set aside, reserving any juices for the glaze.
- Melt butter in a medium bowl. Stir in brown sugar, flour, and chai spice with a fork until clumps form. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl (stand mixer or hand mixer), beat butter and sugar for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Scrape down the sides, then add eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Add half of the dry ingredients and mix gently. Stir in all the sour cream and milk until combined. Fold in remaining flour until just incorporated.
- Pour half the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. If using, spread apple butter evenly over the batter. Top with the remaining batter and smooth again.
- Layer apple slices over the batter, leaving juices behind. Top evenly with streusel.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool until warm to the touch, then lift it out using the parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar with reserved apple juice until smooth. Adjust consistency with more juice or powdered sugar as needed.
- Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle glaze over the top before serving.
Notes
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel for extra crunch.
- Swap chai spice for apple pie spice or cinnamon for a different flavor profile.
- Layer in thin slices of pear instead of apples for a fall twist.
- Use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream for a tangier flavor.
- Add a handful of raisins or dried cranberries to the apple layer.
- Drizzle with caramel sauce instead of glaze for a richer topping.
- Make it gluten-free using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Stir ½ tsp ground ginger into the cake batter for more spice.
- Use cardamom sugar instead of powdered sugar glaze for a fragrant topping.
- Bake in a springform pan for easier removal and presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40–50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
