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Apple Sour Cream Cake

Apple sour cream cake is a tender, golden baked dessert studded with diced apples and topped with a thick cinnamon crumb. It bakes until a toothpick comes out clean, then is cooled before slicing for clean, moist slices.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 330
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cake
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cup apples peeled and diced
For cinnamon topping
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tbsp cold butter cubed

Equipment

  • 1 stand mixer
  • 1 9-inch springform pan

Method
 

Prep and make topping
  1. Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 9-inch springform pan or a 9x13 pan.
  2. Make cinnamon topping by combining brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour, then cutting in cold butter until crumbly; set aside.
Mix cake batter
  1. Whisk all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
  2. Beat softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
  3. Add sour cream and mix to combine.
  4. Fold in the flour mixture just until no dry streaks remain, then fold in diced apples.
Bake and cool
  1. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and scatter the cinnamon topping over the surface.
  2. Bake at 350F for 50-55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  3. Cool the cake before slicing so the crumb sets and slices hold together.

Notes

For the cleanest slices, let the cake cool fully before cutting; if needed, refrigerate overnight and serve chilled. Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days (freezing: yes, wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months). For a lighter option, use low-fat sour cream (texture stays tender but crumb may be slightly softer).