Mix both sugars, cinnamon, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Add the warm melted butter and stir to blend.
Add flour and mix with a fork until moist clumps form. Set aside.
For the cake:
Preheat the oven 350F/170c.
Grease 12 section mini loaf or brownie baking pan.
In a medium mixing bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Beat the softened butter in a large bowl until light.
Combine sugar with butter and beat until light and fluffy.
Add eggs 1 at a time, beating until well blended after each addition.
Mix buttermilk and vanilla until blended thoroughly.
Add flour mixture in 3 stages, beating just until blended after each addition.
Peel, core, and chop/shred the apples and fold them into the batter.
Transfer the cake batter evenly to the prepared baking pan.
Hand squeeze small handfuls of topping together to form small clumps. Drop topping clumps evenly over each cake, covering with a layer of topping.
Bake 20-30 minutes or until the tester comes out clean and topping is deep golden brown and a little crisp.
Cool cake in dish on rack at least 30 minutes.
For the icing:
Mix the cream cheese butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add warm milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the glaze reaches the desired consistency.
Drizzle each cake with icing and enjoy!
Makes 12 - 15 cakes
Notes
Ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin mixing your batter, it ensures they combine more evenly.
If cream cheese icing isn’t your thing you can replace it with maple glaze or caramel icing. The choice is yours.
To make ahead: prepare and bake the cake, allow to cool then cover tightly and refrigerate for up to two days. Make icing when ready to serve.
These cakes can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Defrost thoroughly and ice when ready to eat.
To make your own buttermilk at home, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Full-fat milk is best, low-fat or skimmed milk will still work. Stir and let stand for 5 minutes. The mixture may look a little curdled, but that’s fine.