I created a warm, tender coffee cake that captures the essence of apple crisp—stuffed with spiced apples, topped with buttery streusel, and perfect from breakfast to dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I adore this recipe because it marries a classic American coffee cake base with the sweet-tart warmth of apple crisp. The cake is soft and fragrant, the apple layer adds juicy texture, and the streusel on top gives a delightful crunch. It's ideal for cozy mornings or sharing at gatherings.
ingredients
(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg (optional)
- unsalted butter (room temperature)
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- sour cream or plain yogurt
- peeled and chopped apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- streusel topping (butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon)
directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a 9×13" baking pan.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry mix.
- Fold in chopped apples. Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Make the streusel by mixing flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and cold butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter.
- Bake for 35–45 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
- Cool slightly before cutting and serving.
Servings and timing
This cake yields about 12 to 15 servings. Prep time is 15 minutes, baking time around 40 minutes, for a total of 55 minutes.
Variations
- Nuts add crunch: Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel.
- Glazed finish: Mix powdered sugar, a dash of milk, and vanilla to drizzle over the cooled cake.
- Fruit swap: Substitute or add pears alongside apples for a subtly sweeter flavor.
- Oat flour: Replace up to ⅓ of the flour with oat flour for a heartier texture.
storage/reheating
Store the cooled cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat slices in the microwave (15–20 seconds) or warm them in a 325 °F oven for a few minutes to recapture that fresh-from-the-oven feel.
FAQs
### How do I know when the cake is done?
I insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs (especially from apples), it's perfectly baked.
### Can I make this in advance?
Yes—I often bake it the night before and enjoy it warm in the morning. Just reheat lightly to refresh the texture.
### What kind of apples work best?
I prefer Granny Smith for their tartness and firm texture, but Honeycrisp or Fuji are also great for a sweeter bite.
### Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely. I wrap portions tightly and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm before serving.
### Is it possible to bake this in a loaf pan instead?
Yes! I’ve used a 9×5" loaf pan—bake at the same temperature for about 50–60 minutes. Check with a toothpick; adjust time as needed.
Conclusion
I find this apple crisp coffee cake hits all the cozy, comforting notes I crave—soft cake, juicy apples, and crunchy topping. Whether for a leisurely weekend breakfast or a sweet treat after dinner, it’s one of my favorite recipes to bake and share.
Best Apple Crisp Coffee Cake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 to 15 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A warm, tender coffee cake that combines the cozy flavors of apple crisp with a buttery streusel topping. Perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- 2 cups peeled and chopped apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- Streusel Topping: ½ cup cold unsalted butter, ⅔ cup brown sugar, ⅔ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup oats, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a 9×13" baking pan.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry mix.
- Fold in chopped apples. Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Make the streusel by mixing flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and cold butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter.
- Bake for 35–45 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
- Cool slightly before cutting and serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for best texture and flavor balance.
- Optional glaze: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for drizzling.
- To freeze, wrap portions tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
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