apple crumb cake - Pass the Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons crème fraîche
• 2-3 tablespoons whole milk
• 3 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Scant 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 cup pecan halves, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2/3 cup flour
• 3 cups thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples (1 1/2 large or 2 1/2 small)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup butter, melted and cooled a bit
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons crème fraîche, room temperature
• 3 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/4 plus 1/8 teaspoon almond extract