Soft, Buttery Apple Crackle Cake

Name: Soft, Buttery Apple Crackle Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 cup chopped pecans; ¼ cup packed light brown sugar; 1 Tbsp melted unsalted butter; 1 box spice cake mix; 3 large eggs; ½ cup vegetable oil; ½ cup sour cream; 1 cup finely diced fresh apple (no need to peel); 8 oz cream cheese (softened); ¼ cup packed brown sugar; ½ cup powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract

This Apple Crackle Cake combines a buttery pecan base, spiced apple cake, and sweet cream cheese swirls that bake into the perfect fall treat.

One serving of Apple Crackle Cake on a plate

What Makes This Apple Crackle Cake So Good

This isn’t your typical coffee cake or crumb cake, oh no. Every slice is soft, buttery, and just sweet enough, the kind of cake that begs for a cup of coffee and a quiet morning.

It starts with a box of spice cake mix (because easy can still taste homemade!), followed by fresh chopped apples, tangy sour cream for moisture, and that signature “crackle” layer that makes it a certified family favorite.

So let’s get started! A few bowls, a hand mixer, your ingredients, and about an hour is all you really need. The payoff is a bakery-worthy fall dessert that couldn’t be simpler to make!

And if you have some extra apples lyin’ around, give this Rustic Apple Pound Cake recipe a go!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chopped pecans
Packed light brown sugar
Unsalted butter
Spice cake mix
Large eggs
Vegetable oil
Sour cream
Finely diced fresh apple
Cream cheese, softened
Packed brown sugar
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract

How to Make Apple Crackle Cake

1. Start with the Pecan Layer

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan. In a small bowl, stir together the pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter until coated. Spread evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan. This becomes your crunchy base once baked.

Greasing a baking pan with cooking spray

A small bowl of pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter

2. Mix the Cake Batter

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, oil, and sour cream. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth, then fold in your diced apples with a rubber spatula. The batter should be thick and creamy. Pour it evenly over the pecan layer.

A bowl of wet ingredients for the apple crackle cake batter. Eggs, oil, and sour cream.

Diced apples being mixed into the apple crackle cake batter

3. Swirl in the Cream Cheese

In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, brown sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture over the cake batter. Use a knife to swirl lightly. Don’t overmix! You want to see those streaks and patches for that “crackle” look once baked.

A bowl of ingredients for the cream cheese topping. Softened cream cheese, brown sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla

Cream cheese mixture being added to the apple crackle cake batter

4. Bake to Perfection

Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the cake portion comes out clean. The cream cheese swirls will be set and lightly golden. Let it cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing. The base will set as it cools, giving you that buttery, caramelized crunch.

Now grab yourself a slice or two!

Taking a slice of apple crackle cake with a spatula

Serving Ideas

This cake is delicious warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with:

A scoop of Homemade Whipped Cream.
A drizzle of Sweet Coffee-Flavored Syrup (maybe swap Dulce De Leche for the kiddos) or a dusting of powdered sugar.
A cup of hot coffee or Caramel Apple Cider for a cozy breakfast treat.

You can serve it straight from the pan or slice it into squares for gatherings; the layers look beautiful once cut!

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. If you want to make it ahead, you can bake and freeze the whole cake (or individual slices) tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months. Just thaw at room temperature and rewarm slightly before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes! Yellow or butter pecan cake mixes work great, though spice cake adds that warm fall flavor that makes this dessert shine.

Do I need to peel the apples?

Nope! The peels soften as they bake and add a nice texture. Just dice the apples finely so they blend evenly into the batter.

What’s the best apple to use?

Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn are great. You want firm, crisp apples that won’t turn mushy while baking.