Description
This Apple Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel offers the perfect balance of moist, tender crumb and a delightful crunch. Infused with warm spices and juicy apples, it’s a comforting treat ideal for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. The buttery cinnamon streusel topping adds a crumbly, sweet finish that elevates classic flavors with a cozy homey vibe.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free baking flour blend for gluten-free version)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 medium fresh apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
Cinnamon Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free baking flour blend)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 1 tbsp cinnamon sugar (for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and dice fresh apples into small cubes to ensure even distribution and juicy bursts in the cake.
- Make the Streusel Topping: In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add cold butter chunks and use fingers or a pastry cutter to work it into pea-sized crumbly pieces. Set aside.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg for even spice distribution.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Beat softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, incorporating air for a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Flavor: Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract to enhance aroma and depth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Alternately add dry ingredients and sour cream to the butter mixture, mixing gently just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold diced apples into the batter to incorporate juicy pieces throughout.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour half the batter into a greased 9×9-inch or 8×8-inch pan. Sprinkle half the streusel over it. Add the remaining batter and top with the rest of the streusel. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top for a sparkly crust. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and the top is golden brown. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Use tart apples such as Granny Smith for a refreshing contrast to the sweetness.
- Keep butter cold for the streusel topping to achieve a crumbly texture.
- Mix batter just until combined to prevent a dense cake.
- Cool cake slightly before slicing to maintain its structure.
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking to create a sweet, glistening crust.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/9 of cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 65mg