18 Sweet & Savory Apple Recipes + Cardamom-Ginger Crumb Cakes

Apple season is here – and these cakes are divine!
Enjoy them for dessert, a snack, or to celebrate the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.

Apple crumb cakes — **A delicious cake finished with a hint of honey, layered with sliced apples and a crunchy crumb topping.**

Apple crumb cakes with cardamom and ginger — The subtle cardamom and ginger set these cakes apart.
Recipe: **Amazing Apple Crumb Cakes with Cardamom and Ginger**

I love anything made with apples. This season brings many varieties—visit a local farmers’ market or apple orchard and try something new.

Apple varieties I enjoy include Macoun (a favorite for eating), Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Jonagold, McIntosh, Rome, and Zestar (used in this recipe).

About these crumb cakes: They are simple and delicious: a quick batter topped with thin apple slices and a generous crumb topping. I’m particularly fond of ground cardamom in the batter and minced crystallized ginger in the topping. Cardamom adds a fragrant, citrusy-spicy note—use it sparingly to perfume the cakes without overpowering them. Ground cardamom comes from the seeds; whole green cardamom pods are commonly used in savory dishes. Ginger pairs beautifully with apples—use just enough to let its warmth shine through.

For this recipe I found Zestar apples, which are medium-firm with a sweet-tangy profile and hints of brown sugar—an excellent choice for baking.

I baked these crumb cakes in jumbo muffin tins (about one cup capacity) to create individual cakes with crisp edges. Slice them in half to serve and dust with confectioner’s sugar if you like.

I’m also obsessed with coconut whipped cream. I rarely keep heavy cream on hand, but I always have canned coconut milk. To make the whipped cream, refrigerate a can of full-fat coconut milk overnight. The thick coconut cream will separate from the liquid. Scoop out about four tablespoons of the firm cream, whisk with confectioner’s sugar and a splash of natural vanilla until light and fluffy. It’s an easy, dairy-free topping that pairs perfectly with these cakes.

Five crumb cakes — **Recipe yields five 4-inch tall cakes — serves about 10**

**Apple slices and crumb topping bake on top of the batter.**

Cakes ready to bake — **Ready to go into the oven.**

Cakes fresh from the oven — **Just out of the oven — that heavenly aroma!**

**Serve with coconut whipped cream for a lovely finish.**

More favorite apple recipes — sweet and savory

Baked applesauce donuts — Baked Applesauce Donuts with Brown Butter Caramel Maple Glaze

Fall salad with chèvre and apples — Fall Salad with Chèvre and Apples

Sweet recipes

Amazing Apple Crumb Cakes with Cardamom and Ginger
Baked Applesauce Donuts with Brown Butter Caramel Maple Glaze
Applesauce Linzer Bars (Gluten-Free variation available)
Caramelized Apples with Caramel Drizzle
Amazing Caramelized Apple Cake – Gluten Free and Dairy Free
Caramelized Apple Deep Dish Cheesecake Pie
Vegan Apple Raspberry Crisp
Karen’s Fall Apple Cake with Streusel and Caramelized Apples

Savory recipes

Fall Salad with Chèvre and Apples
Karen’s Mac ’n’ Cheese with Butternut Squash and Apples
Butternut Squash Soup with Apples and Celery Root
Karen’s Homemade Applesauce — perfect for Linzer Bars
Kabocha Squash Soup with Apples and Cashew Crema — Vegan
Waldorf Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash, Kale and Apples
Asparagus, Apple, Black Bean and Goat Cheese Taquitos
Chicken Étouffée with Butternut Squash and Apples
Spiced Grilled Chicken Open-Faced Sandwich topped with Gruyère Fondue and Butternut Squash & Apple Jelly
Butternut Squash & Apple Jelly

Enjoy apple season—these crumb cakes are a fragrant, comforting way to celebrate fresh fruit and warm spices.