Step 1

Grease a 9” round cake pan.

Step 2

Preheat oven to 350F.

Step 3

To make the crumble topping, mix all of the crumble ingredients together in a small bowl. The mixture should form large crumbs.

Step 4

In a medium-sized bowl, beat the oil and sugar until creamy. Add the applesauce, vanilla, and apple cider. Mix to combine.

Step 5

Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cardamom, cinnamon, and salt together with a fine sieve onto the wet ingredients.

Step 6

Mix the wet and dry together until the mixture is smooth.

Step 7

Fold in the apples and pecans.

Step 8

Pour the batter into the cake pan.

Step 9

Top with the thinly sliced apples (optional) and sprinkle on the crumble topping.

Step 10

Bake for 55-60 minutes at 350F on the middle rack. A knife inserted into the batter should remove cleanly with only a few crumbs.

Step 11

Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.