Coffee Cake With Apples Step By Step Recipe And Tips

Why Apple Coffee Cake Is a Fall Favorite

Few things compare to the warm aroma of apple coffee cake baking in the oven—especially when it’s swirled with cinnamon and topped with a buttery streusel. This classic comfort dessert delivers everything you want in a cozy bake: moist crumb, tender apples, and a lightly crisp topping. Whether served for a laid-back weekend brunch or a festive holiday morning, this easy apple coffee cake recipe checks every box.

The beauty of this cake lies in its simplicity. With basic pantry ingredients, you get a result that feels bakery-worthy but without the fuss. It strikes the perfect balance between the flavors of an apple crisp and the soft texture of a traditional coffee cake. Using tart apples like Granny Smith ensures a contrast that enhances the sweetness of the brown sugar and cinnamon swirl.

For bakers who crave flexibility, this recipe is ideal. You can make it ahead, freeze it in slices, or enjoy it fresh out of the oven. The addition of sour cream keeps the crumb exceptionally moist—much like in many German-style bakes that use dairy to enhance texture. And if you’re wondering what kind of apples work best, here’s a helpful reference on apple varieties that are suited for baking.

For those planning a fall-themed brunch, pair this cake with a warm drink like spiced chai or black coffee. You can even browse brunch table ideas for presentation tips that make this humble bake the star of your spread. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or treating yourself to something cozy, this apple coffee cake promises comfort in every bite.

Ingredients Overview: What You’ll Need

A perfect apple coffee cake starts with quality ingredients and thoughtful pairings that create a moist, fluffy texture with a signature cinnamon swirl. Below is a breakdown of everything you’ll need to bake this classic recipe from scratch, including helpful swaps to make it your own.

For the Streusel Topping

• ½ cup all-purpose flour – The base of the topping, provides structure.

• ½ cup packed light brown sugar – Adds sweetness and a subtle molasses flavor.

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – Essential for that cozy, spicy warmth.

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed – Creates a crumbly, crisp texture when baked.

The streusel topping mimics the flavor and crunch of apple crisp, and it’s a key element that sets coffee cake apart. For an extra layer of texture, you can add finely chopped walnuts or pecans to the topping before baking. Not sure what streusel really is? Here’s a quick read on streusel and its baking role.

For the Cake Batter

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour – Forms the structure of the cake.

• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder – Helps the cake rise.

• ½ teaspoon baking soda – Balances the acidity of the sour cream and apples.

• ½ teaspoon salt – Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – Adds warmth throughout the batter.

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened – Makes the cake rich and tender.

• ½ cup granulated sugar – Standard sweetener for the cake base.

• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar – Adds depth and moisture.

• 2 large eggs – Bind the ingredients and add structure.

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Enhances the flavor profile.

• ½ cup sour cream – A key to a moist crumb, helping the cake stay soft for days.

• 1 ½ cups peeled and diced apples – Adds juicy sweetness and texture.

When it comes to the apples, dicing them into small, even pieces ensures they bake evenly into the cake. Granny Smith is a top choice due to its tartness, but Honeycrisp and Braeburn are great alternatives. For more information on how to choose and prepare apples, check this Pinterest guide on cutting apples.

Want to avoid dairy? Swap the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt or a plant-based alternative for a moist but dairy-free cake. To learn more about how sour cream affects baking texture, read this short overview on sour cream and its culinary uses.

Ingredient Tips & Swaps

• Butter: Salted butter can be used, just reduce added salt.

• Sugar: Coconut sugar or maple sugar work for a richer flavor.

• Apples: Pre-cook apples briefly for extra softness if preferred.

• Toppings: Add a drizzle of caramel or sprinkle of oats into the streusel for variation.

• Egg substitutes: Use flax eggs for a vegan version.

If you’re preparing this as part of a fall dessert board, check out these easy fall dessert ideas to complement your apple coffee cake and create a full seasonal spread.

Tools You’ll Need (Optional but Helpful)

While this apple coffee cake recipe is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require special equipment, having a few basic tools on hand can make the process smoother and more efficient. Here’s a quick checklist of the essentials to ensure a mess-free baking session and a perfect result.

• 8-inch square baking pan – The ideal size for even baking and achieving the right cake thickness. You can also use a round cake pan or double the recipe for a 9×13 pan if baking for a crowd.

• Mixing bowls (large and medium) – Necessary for separating wet and dry ingredients, which helps maintain a light, moist crumb.

• Hand or stand mixer – Helps cream butter and sugars until fluffy, which is essential for proper texture. Mixing by hand is possible but more time-consuming.

• Pastry cutter or fork – Crucial for creating a crumbly streusel topping by cutting cold butter into the flour and sugar. To understand more about this process, take a look at how streusel is traditionally made in German baking.

• Silicone spatula – Ideal for gently folding in diced apples without breaking them or overmixing the batter.

• Measuring cups and spoons – Precision matters in baking. Inaccurate measurements can lead to a dense or dry cake.

• Toothpick or cake tester – Used to check doneness without cutting into the cake.

For bakers building a morning coffee spread, pairing your cake with the right drink is just as important. Check out coffee and cake pairing ideas to create a cozy brunch that highlights the spiced notes of cinnamon and apple in this cake.

If you’re baking regularly, these tools are great investments that also support other recipes like muffins, banana bread, and more. They help ensure even results every time and reduce prep stress.

Step-by-Step Instructions with Baking Tips

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish with butter or nonstick spray, and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy release. Ensuring even heat distribution is key for achieving a moist, evenly baked crumb. If you’re unsure about pan sizing or conversions, you can refer to baking pan standards as they relate to batter volume and bake time.

Step 2: Make the Streusel Topping

In a small bowl, combine:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup packed light brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cut in ¼ cup cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fork. The mixture should resemble coarse crumbs—this crumbly texture gives your cake a signature bakery-style topping. You can also mix in chopped nuts or rolled oats for added crunch. This topping is similar to that used in traditional crumb cakes, but less dense. For more info on the differences, visit the coffee cake definition and related varieties.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

This step ensures your leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed before combining with wet ingredients. Even mixing helps the cake rise uniformly and prevents pockets of baking soda, which can affect texture and taste.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, cream:

• ½ cup softened unsalted butter

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar

Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—usually about 2–3 minutes. This step is essential for creating air pockets in the batter, leading to a tender, moist cake. Make sure the butter is at room temperature for the best result.

Step 5: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add two large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Room-temperature eggs blend more easily, helping to emulsify the batter and prevent separation. The addition of vanilla rounds out the flavor, balancing the spice from the cinnamon and the tartness from the apples.

Looking to enhance the visual of your batter at this stage? Browse these fall baking aesthetics to match your baking space with the comforting vibe of this recipe.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry with Sour Cream

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two additions, alternating with ½ cup sour cream. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined after each addition. This technique minimizes gluten development, keeping the crumb soft and moist.

Sour cream plays a vital role here—it adds fat and acidity, both of which contribute to a tender crumb and longer-lasting moisture. If you’re curious about how sour cream works in baking, you can read more on its role in recipes via this Wikipedia entry on sour cream.

Avoid overmixing at this stage. Overworked batter can lead to a dense, chewy cake rather than the light, fluffy texture you want. The final mixture should be thick and creamy but smooth.

Step 7: Fold in Apples

Gently fold in 1½ cups of peeled and diced apples using a spatula. The apples should be diced into small, uniform pieces—about ¼ inch—to ensure even baking. Overmixing at this point can deflate the batter and bruise the apples, which may release too much moisture.

Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith, which hold their shape well and contrast nicely with the sweetness of the cake. If you need a visual tutorial, here’s a helpful Pinterest guide on how to cut apples for baking.

The combination of fresh apples and cinnamon gives this cake a flavor profile that channels apple pie and coffee cake in one bite.

Step 8: Layer in Pan and Add Topping

Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and spread it evenly using a spatula. The batter will be thick but should level out with a bit of guidance. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly across the surface, making sure to distribute it edge to edge for even coverage.

This final layer creates a textured, golden-brown top that contrasts beautifully with the tender, moist crumb below. If you’re assembling a cozy breakfast spread, you can take inspiration from brunch table ideas that highlight comforting baked goods like this one.

Step 9: Bake and Check Doneness

Bake the cake in the center rack of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden, and the edges slightly pulled away from the pan.

Rotate the pan halfway through baking to ensure even cooking. If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with foil during the last 10 minutes.

Step 10: Cool and Serve

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes before slicing. This resting period helps the crumb set and makes it easier to cut clean slices. Serve warm, at room temperature, or even chilled depending on your preference.

Want to make it part of a larger spread? Check out these creative coffee and cake pairing ideas to match your slice with the perfect cup.