Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe

Quick & Cozy Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe

Apple cinnamon coffee cake brings warmth and comfort to any morning gathering.

Fragrant spices dance through soft, tender crumbs, promising a delightful sensory experience.

Bakers adore this classic treat for its rich, inviting aroma and satisfying texture.

Seasonal ingredients redefine simple pantry staples into an extraordinary culinary moment.

Sweet and subtle notes of cinnamon complement the natural brightness of fresh fruit.

Subtle layers of flavor create a harmonious balance between robust and delicate elements.

Home kitchens come alive with the promise of this irresistible breakfast indulgence.

Tips to Keep Apple Coffee Cake Moist and Flavorful

  • Choose Ripe Apples: Select firm, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith that hold their shape during baking and provide excellent flavor contrast.
  • Prevent Sinking Fruit: Toss apple chunks in a light coating of flour before adding to batter to help them distribute evenly and avoid settling at the bottom.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Let butter, eggs, and sour cream sit out for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smoother, more consistent cake texture.
  • Check Doneness Carefully: Insert a toothpick near the center- it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean or wet with batter.
  • Store Smartly: Cover cake loosely with foil and keep at room temperature for 2-3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain moisture and freshness.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover coffee cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
  • Reheat: Warm refrigerated or thawed cake slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or in a preheated 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Add a quick drizzle of fresh glaze before serving to restore moisture and flavor.

What to Pair with a Slice of Coffee Cake

  • Brew the Perfect Coffee Companion: Pair this apple cinnamon coffee cake with a rich, medium-roast Colombian coffee that complements the cake's warm spices and sweet apple notes.
  • Elevate Your Dessert Experience: Serve a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm cake to create a delightful contrast between the hot, spiced cake and cold, creamy ice cream.
  • Create a Cozy Beverage Harmony: Enjoy a warm mug of spiced chai tea that echoes the cinnamon tones in the cake, enhancing the overall autumn-inspired flavor profile.
  • Indulge in a Creamy Sidekick: Add a dollop of whipped cream with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon to bring out the cake's deep, comforting flavors and add a luxurious touch to each bite.

Flavor Twists for Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

  • Rustic Harvest Crumble: Replace apples with pears and add chopped walnuts to the streusel for a nutty, autumnal flavor profile.
  • Tropical Sunshine Cake: Swap apples for diced mangoes and add shredded coconut to the topping, creating a bright, summery dessert with a Caribbean-inspired touch.
  • Spiced Berry Remix: Substitute apples with mixed berries and incorporate ground cardamom and ginger into the streusel for a complex, warmly spiced cake that bursts with fruity goodness.
  • Caramel Pecan Dream: Layer thin apple slices with caramel sauce between the batter and streusel, then sprinkle pecans on top for a rich, indulgent variation that elevates the classic recipe.

Why Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Smells Like Home

  • Delightful Flavor Explosion: Bursting with warm cinnamon and sweet apple chunks, this coffee cake delivers a comforting autumn-inspired taste that dances on your taste buds.
  • Texture Perfection: Enjoy a moist, tender cake with a crispy, buttery streusel topping that provides an irresistible crunch in every single bite.
  • Quick and Easy Weekday Treat: Whips up in just 15 minutes of prep time, making it an ideal breakfast or afternoon snack for busy families who crave something homemade without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for weekend brunches, potlucks, or casual gatherings where you want to impress without complicated techniques- guaranteed to make everyone smile and ask for seconds.

Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Ingredient List

Streusel Topping:
  • All Purpose Flour: Provides structure and crumbly texture for the cake's top layer.
  • Light Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a caramelized surface.
  • Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic flavor to the streusel.
  • Unsalted Butter: Binds ingredients and creates a rich, moist topping.
Cake Batter:
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates a tender, soft cake base with rich flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar, Light Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and moisture to the cake.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure to the cake.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with a sweet, aromatic note.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Help the cake rise and create a light texture.
  • Salt: Balances and intensifies other flavors in the cake.
  • Cinnamon, All Spice, Ground Cloves: Add warm, complex spice notes.
  • Sour Cream: Keeps the cake moist and adds a slight tanginess.
  • All Purpose Flour: Provides the main structure for the cake.
Fruit and Filling:
  • Apples: Fresh fruit that adds natural sweetness and texture to the cake.
  • Cinnamon: Complements the apple's flavor and adds warmth.
Glaze:
  • Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Creates a sweet, smooth drizzle to finish the cake.

How to Bake an Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake From Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Preheat oven to 350°F

Line 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper

Ensure oven rack is in center position

Step 2: Create Streusel Topping

Ingredients for streusel:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Brown sugar
  • Granulated sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Unsalted butter (melted)

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, pour melted butter, and stir until crumbly. Set aside.

Step 3: Prepare Cake Batter

Cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla. Alternately fold in dry ingredients and sour cream until smooth.

Step 4: Add Apple Cinnamon Layer

Ingredients:

Apples (peeled and diced)

Ground cinnamon

Toss apple pieces with cinnamon. Spread cake batter in prepared pan, then sprinkle apple mixture evenly.

Step 5: Add Streusel Topping

Sprinkle prepared streusel over apple layer, covering entire surface.

Step 6: Bake Coffee Cake

Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes. Check doneness by inserting toothpick in center- it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Finish

Allow cake to cool in pan for 15 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Prepare Glaze

  • Whisk ingredients until smooth
  • Powdered sugar
  • Milk
  • Vanilla extract
  • Drizzle over cooled cake.
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Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe

Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sweet apple cinnamon coffee cake brings warmth and comfort to morning gatherings. Fragrant spices and tender fruit dance through a buttery crumb, creating a delightful breakfast treat you’ll savor with each perfectly spiced bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Streusel Topping:

  • ¾ cup (177 milliliters) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Main Cake Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (188 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) light brown sugar
  • ¾ cup (170 grams) sour cream
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups (213 grams) apples, peeled and sliced or chopped

Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • Pinch ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon (for apples)

Glaze:

  • 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons (22 milliliters) milk
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature and prepare an 8-inch baking vessel by lining it with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Craft the streusel topping by blending dry ingredients and incorporating melted butter until the mixture achieves a crumbly, sandy texture. Set this aside for later use.
  3. In a spacious mixing bowl, whip butter and sugars until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cake’s foundation.
  4. Gently introduce eggs and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, ensuring thorough integration and a rich, aromatic profile.
  5. Alternate folding in dry flour components and sour cream, maintaining a delicate balance to create a silky, uniform batter.
  6. Transfer the cake batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly to ensure consistent baking.
  7. Toss apple pieces with ground cinnamon, coating them thoroughly to distribute the warm, spicy flavor throughout the fruit.
  8. Delicately arrange the cinnamon-coated apple pieces across the surface of the batter, allowing them to slightly sink into the mixture.
  9. Generously sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over the apple-studded batter, creating a textural and flavorful crown.
  10. Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake until a golden-brown crust forms and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, approximately 45-50 minutes.
  11. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.
  12. Finish by drizzling a complementary glaze over the cooled cake, adding a final touch of sweetness and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Perfectly balanced between tender cake, juicy apples, and crumbly streusel, this recipe promises a comforting treat that fills your kitchen with warmth and sweet cinnamon aroma.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 340
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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