Homemade Apple Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping Recipe

Baking a delightful apple coffee cake brings pure joy to my weekend mornings.

Morning sunlight streams through kitchen windows, promising something special.

Warm spices and sweet fruit create magic in every slice.

Crisp apples nestled beneath buttery crumbs deliver comfort and nostalgia.

Soft cake layers hint at delectable homemade goodness waiting to be savored.

Simple ingredients combine for an irresistible treat that feels like a warm hug.

Apple Coffee Cake With Crumb Topping Perks

• Speedy Weekend Breakfast Delight: Whip up this apple coffee cake in under an hour, perfect for lazy weekend mornings when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Loaded with warm cinnamon and tender apple chunks, this cake brings everyone together with its irresistible homemade aroma and nostalgic flavors that remind you of grandma's baking.
• Versatile Seasonal Treat: Celebrate autumn's bounty by transforming fresh apples into a mouthwatering dessert that works equally well for breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, or a cozy after-dinner sweet that impresses without complicated techniques.
• Simple Baking Success: Even novice bakers can nail this recipe with basic ingredients and straightforward steps, ensuring a delicious result every time without stress or complicated equipment.

Apple Coffee Cake Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt, Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Essential for creating a light, flavorful cake structure with warm spice notes. Choose unbleached flour for better texture and pure, fresh spices for maximum flavor.

• Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar, Eggs, Vanilla Extract, Sour Cream: Provides moisture, richness, and helps bind the cake together. Room temperature ingredients ensure smooth mixing and consistent texture. Use fresh, high-quality eggs and pure vanilla extract.

• Apples: Adds natural sweetness and fresh fruity texture to the cake. Select firm, crisp baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking.

• All-Purpose Flour, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Unsalted Butter: Creates a crunchy, sweet topping with caramelized edges. Brown sugar adds depth and moisture to the crumb topping. Use melted butter for easy mixing and even distribution.

Apple Coffee Cake Baking Steps

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F.

Grab an 8-inch square pan and give it a generous coat of grease or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Beat butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud.

Drop in eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla extract for extra flavor.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gently marry the dry ingredients with the wet mixture.

Alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream to keep the batter smooth.

Fold in chunks of fresh apples with care.

Step 5: Prepare the Cake Base

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.

Step 6: Create Crumb Topping

• Flour
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon

Drizzle melted butter into the mixture and stir until it looks like delicious, crumbly sand.

Sprinkle this magical topping all over the cake batter.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes.

The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Let the cake chill and set before slicing.

Enjoy your apple-packed, crumb-topped masterpiece!

Home Baker Tricks for Apple Coffee Cake With Perfect Crumb

• Toss diced apples in a bit of flour before adding to batter to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake.
• Do not overmix the batter, as this can make the cake tough and dense. Stir just until ingredients are combined.
• Adjust the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg to suit your taste preferences. More spices create a warmer, more intense flavor profile.
• Use the toothpick test to ensure the cake is fully baked. Insert a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
• Keep the coffee cake covered at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Warm slightly before serving to restore its soft texture.

Reheat Coffee Cake With That Crumb Topping

• Store leftover apple coffee cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping the crumb topping crisp and fresh.
• Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 2 months to preserve texture and flavor.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes until slightly warm.
• Transfer frozen cake from freezer to refrigerator overnight, then gently warm in oven at 325°F for 10 minutes to restore original moisture and taste.

What Goes Well with Apple Coffee Cake With Crumb Topping

• Perfect Pair with Warming Spiced Beverage: Enjoy this apple coffee cake alongside a steaming mug of chai tea, which echoes the cake's warm cinnamon and nutmeg notes while providing a complementary spicy complexity.
• Create a Flavor Harmony with Beverage: Select a robust medium-roast coffee with caramel undertones that will highlight the cake's sweet apple and brown sugar elements, creating a balanced morning or afternoon treat.
• Enhance Dessert Experience with Cream Companion: Serve a small dollop of vanilla bean whipped cream on the side, which will cut through the cake's richness and add a delicate, smooth texture contrast to the crumbly topping.
• Elevate Pairing with Seasonal Complement: Pour a glass of crisp apple cider to mirror the cake's fruity essence, allowing the drink's natural sweetness to enhance the baked dessert's warm spices and tender crumb.

Apple Coffee Cake with Crumbly Topping Variants

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Vegan Variation: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and sour cream with dairy-free yogurt or coconut cream.
• Low-Sugar Version: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener and reduce overall sugar content by half while adding extra spices for flavor complexity.
• Whole Wheat Healthier Alternative: Swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to increase fiber and nutritional value, maintaining the cake's soft texture.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?

Yes, you can use various apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji. Choose apples that are firm and slightly tart for the best texture and flavor in the cake.

• Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free.

• How can I tell if the cake is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. Avoid overbaking to keep the cake moist and tender.

• Can I prepare the crumb topping in advance?

Yes, you can mix the crumb topping ingredients and store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days before using. Just bring it to room temperature and crumble before sprinkling on the cake.

Apple Coffee Cake With Crumb Topping Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade apple coffee cake with crumb topping delivers pure comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Cinnamon-spiced apples nestled in moist cake layers and crowned with buttery crumble make weekend mornings deliciously memorable for anyone seeking sweet warmth.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups diced apples
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (tsp) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Crumb Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and preparing an 8-inch square baking vessel with grease and flour or parchment paper lining.
2. Create the dry ingredient foundation by whisking together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl.
3. Develop the wet mixture by creaming butter and sugar until light and airy, then incorporate eggs individually, followed by vanilla extract blending.
4. Construct the cake batter by gradually introducing dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with sour cream, ensuring smooth incorporation.
5. Gently fold diced apples into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
6. Transfer the complete batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it uniformly.
7. Craft the crumb topping by combining flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a separate container.
8. Integrate melted butter into the dry topping ingredients, stirring until a crumbly texture emerges.
9. Generously sprinkle the crumb mixture across the entire surface of the cake batter.
10. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until a testing implement inserted centrally emerges clean.
11. Allow the cake to cool completely within the pan before slicing and presenting.

Notes

• Ensure apples are fresh and firm for the best texture and flavor in your cake.
• Dice apples into small, uniform pieces to distribute evenly throughout the batter without sinking.
• Room temperature ingredients help create a smoother, more consistent cake batter with better rising potential.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for binding.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg