Apple Coffee Cake Recipe

If you’re craving something that hits all the cozy, comfort-food notes, this Apple Coffee Cake Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how this cake manages to be moist, tender, and bursting with the warm flavors of cinnamon and fresh apple slices layered right in. Whether you’re brewing your morning coffee or looking for a sweet treat to share, this recipe is a fan-freaking-tastic choice that I can’t wait to share with you.

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Apple Coffee Cake Recipe lies in the simple harmony between flour, butter, and the star apple. I always recommend using a tart green apple to balance the sweetness and add that fresh fruit bite. Plus, the cinnamon in both the batter and topping brings everything together beautifully.

• All-purpose flour: The base of the cake, providing that light but sturdy structure to hold the apples nicely.
• Baking powder: This gives the cake a lovely lift and fluffiness without any heaviness.
• Salt: Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
• White granulated sugar: Half is mixed into the batter for sweetness; the rest pairs with cinnamon for sprinkling over the apples.
• Ground cinnamon: The warm, spicy note that makes this cake smell and taste like autumn in every bite.
• Unsalted butter: Room temperature is key here so it creams perfectly with sugar for that tender crumb.
• Eggs: They help bind everything together and add richness.
• Whole milk: Adds moisture and keeps the cake soft without being dense.
• Tart green apple: Peeled and sliced thin for even cooking and a punch of fresh tartness.
• Brown sugar (for streusel): Adds caramel notes and moisture to the crumbly topping.
• Flour (for streusel): Helps create that delightful crumb crunch on top.
• Butter (for streusel): Small cubes scattered on top melt into golden pockets of richness.

Variations

You’ll find this Apple Coffee Cake Recipe incredibly adaptable to whatever you have on hand or dietary preferences you want to cater to. I personally love to play around with different toppings or swap out the milk to make it just right for my family.

• Gluten-free option: I once tried this with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, and it held up beautifully—just be gentle when mixing to keep the crumb tender.
• Add nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans sprinkled within the streusel topping add a lovely crunch and depth of flavor.
• Spice it up: You can add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon mixture for an extra warming twist I discovered works wonders.
• Dairy-free: Swap the whole milk for your favorite plant-based milk and use a vegan butter alternative to keep things creamy but accessible.

How to Make Apple Coffee Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease your 9-inch pie pan or a similar baking dish—I’ve also had success with a springform or square pan depending on what I’m craving. Getting this ready first ensures a smooth workflow when you’re ready to bake.

Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. I like to whisk these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution, which helps your cake rise evenly and prevents salty or bready pockets.

Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Sugar

Mix 2 tablespoons of white sugar with the teaspoon of cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside. You’ll sprinkle this flavorful mixture over the apple slices later for that perfect touch of sweetness and spice. Trust me, this little step makes a huge difference.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar, Then Add Eggs

Using an electric mixer, beat the room-temperature butter with the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar until light and creamy. Next, add the beaten eggs and blend until completely combined. The key here is to avoid overmixing after adding the flour later, so keep things smooth but gentle.

Step 5: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk

Add the flour mixture in three parts to the butter mixture, alternating with the whole milk. Start and end with the flour. Beat after each addition just until combined — mixing too much here can make the cake tough, so be gentle.

Step 6: Assemble the Layers

Pour half of the batter into your prepared baking dish. Arrange the apple slices in a single layer to cover the batter — you can overlap them a bit to get full coverage. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the apples, then carefully spread the remaining batter over the fruit to seal everything in.

Step 7: Top With Streusel and Bake

Mix together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon for the streusel topping. Sprinkle this crumbly mixture evenly over the top, then dot with the small cubes of butter to create those golden pockets of richness. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the cake turns golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

How to Serve Apple Coffee Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving—it adds a pretty touch and a subtle sweetness. If I’m feeling indulgent, a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side is heavenly, especially when the cake is still a bit warm.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a hot latte or your favorite coffee brew to complement the cinnamon and apple flavors. For brunch gatherings, I often serve it alongside scrambled eggs or a light fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to slice the cake into squares and serve them on a wooden board with caramel sauce drizzled around. Adding a sprig of fresh mint or cinnamon sticks alongside makes it feel festive and inviting. This always gets compliments!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover apple coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps the cake moist without the streusel topping losing its crunch. If your kitchen is warm, you can also store it in the fridge wrapped well, but bring it back to room temp before serving for best texture.

Freezing

Freezing this cake works well—I slice it into individual portions first, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer bag. When you’re ready for a treat, it thaws overnight in the fridge and tastes almost as fresh as the day it was baked.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop a slice into the microwave for about 20-30 seconds or warm it gently in a low-temperature oven (around 300°F) for 10 minutes. Reheating revives the buttery flavors and soft crumb without drying it out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Apple Coffee Cake Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort bakes, especially during cooler months when I crave that nostalgic cinnamon-apple scent filling the kitchen. I love sharing this with friends and family because it’s simple, dependable, and goes down so easily with a cup of coffee or tea. I hope you’ll find it just as delightful and cozy as I do—give it a try and watch it become a new classic in your recipe collection!

Print