This Apple Streusel Coffee Cake is soft, buttery, and filled with layers of fresh apples and cinnamon streusel. Applesauce adds moisture to the tender cake, while a sweet, crumbly topping gives every slice a little crunch.
This homemade apple coffee cake uses a simple reverse creaming method to create a delicate, fine crumb. Thinly sliced apples are layered throughout the batter, giving the cake plenty of fresh apple flavor in every bite. Serve it for breakfast, brunch, or as a delicious dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
For more perfect cakes, try a decadent Cardamom Pear Upside-Down Cake or an ultra moist Cinnamon Cream Cheese Carrot Cake.
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Why This Recipe Works
The secret to this moist apple streusel coffee cake is the combination of applesauce and the reverse creaming method. Instead of creaming butter and sugar together, cold butter is mixed directly into the dry ingredients until they resemble fine sand. Coating the flour with butter limits gluten development, creating a soft, tender cake with a delicate crumb.
Applesauce adds moisture to the batter, while thinly sliced fresh apples bake into the cake. Layering the apples between the batter and cinnamon streusel creates a beautiful homemade coffee cake with sweet, buttery crumbs and fresh apple flavor throughout.
Ingredients
- Butter: Cold butter is mixed into the dry ingredients to create a tender, fine crumb.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure while keeping the cake soft and delicate.
- Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a golden brown crust.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Work together to give the cake lift.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- Cinnamon: Adds warm spice that complements the apples.
- Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter.
- Applesauce: Use plain, unsweetened applesauce to keep the cake moist without making it overly sweet.
- Eggs: Use room-temperature eggs for even mixing.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor.
- Fresh Apples: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Pink Lady. Thin slices soften as the cake bakes without making the batter too wet.
Cinnamon Streusel Topping
Butter, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt come together to make a simple cinnamon streusel. The buttery crumbs bake into a sweet, slightly crisp topping that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Cut cold butter into large chunks and add it to the dry ingredients. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, mix until the butter is fully incorporated and the mixture resembles fine sand.
Step 2
Slowly add the applesauce and milk, mixing on low speed. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Avoid overmixing the batter, which can develop too much gluten and make the cake tough.
Step 3
Remove the ring from a 10-inch springform pan. Place a sheet of parchment paper over the bottom, replace the ring, and tighten it to hold the parchment in place.
Lightly butter the bottom and sides of the pan.
Add approximately one tablespoon each of sugar and flour. Tilt and rotate the pan until the bottom and sides are evenly coated, then discard the excess.
This coating helps the outside of the cake develop a golden brown crust with a slightly crisp, sweet finish.
Step 4
In a small bowl, combine butter, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt.
Work the ingredients together until the mixture forms small, pea-sized crumbs.
The butter should be cool and pliable, but not completely softened. This helps the streusel hold its shape as the cake bakes.
Step 5
Step 4Wash, peel, and thinly slice the apples.
Keep the slices thin so they soften evenly and bake into the cake without leaving large, firm pieces.
I like to prepare the pan, streusel, and apples while the batter rests for a few minutes. This gives the flour time to hydrate and keeps the freshly sliced apples from browning before assembly. text
Step 6
Spread approximately one cup of cake batter evenly across the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Arrange a thin layer of apple slices over the batter.
Step 7
Spread approximately one cup of cake batter evenly across the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Arrange a thin layer of apple slices over the batter.
Spread the remaining batter over the apples, then arrange another layer of thinly sliced apples on top.
Sprinkle half of the cinnamon streusel evenly over the apples.
Arrange the remaining apple slices neatly over the streusel, then finish with the remaining crumb topping.
Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Because this apple coffee cake contains layers of fresh fruit, make sure to test the cake portion rather than an apple slice. Wet batter on the toothpick means the cake needs more time.
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the springform pan for 10-15 minutes before carefully removing the ring.
Hint: Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing.
Diana's Tips for Success
- Slice the apples thinly. Thin slices soften as the cake bakes and create even layers without weighing down the batter.
- Use cold butter for reverse creaming. Cut the butter into small pieces so it incorporates evenly into the flour and sugar.
Top Tip
Don't overmix the batter. Once the liquid ingredients are added, mix only until combined to keep the cake tender.
- Give the batter a short rest. Letting the batter sit while preparing the pan and apples allows the flour to hydrate.
- Check the center for doneness. Fresh apples add moisture, so test the cake in a few spots to make sure it is fully baked.
What Are the Best Apples for Apple Coffee Cake?
Firm, tart apples are best for this recipe because they balance the sweetness of the cake and hold their shape during baking.
Granny Smith apples are a great choice for their tart flavor and firm texture. Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn apples also work well.
Avoid very soft apples, which can become mushy as they bake. Regardless of the variety, slicing the apples thinly is the key to getting tender fruit throughout the cake.
Storage
Store leftover apple streusel coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, provided your kitchen is cool. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to five days.
Let refrigerated slices come to room temperature before serving, or warm individual slices in the microwave for approximately 10-15 seconds.
For a slightly crisp streusel topping, warm slices in a 300°F oven until heated through.
You can also freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes that use fruit? Try these:
- Simple Cinnamon Baked Pears
- Banana Bread with Almonds and Chocolate Chips
- Double Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins
- Lemon Ricotta Blueberry Pancakes
- Pumpkin Waffles
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📖 Recipe
Apple Streusel Coffee Cake
Equipment
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- 10-inch springform pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
Apple Coffee Cake
- Coffee Cake
- ½ cup butter cold, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup milk
- ¾ cup plain unsweetened applesauce
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tart apples peeled and thinly sliced
- Streusel Topping
Streusel Topping
- 3 tablespoons butter cool and pliable
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
For Pan Preparation
- 1 teaspoon butter softened
- 1 tablespoon sugar and flour to coat the pan
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Cut in Butter: Add cold butter pieces and mix with an electric mixer until fully incorporated and the mixture resembles fine sand.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Slowly mix in applesauce and milk. Add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla. Mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Prepare Pan: Line the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Butter the bottom and sides, then coat with approximately one tablespoon each of sugar and flour. Discard excess.
- Make Streusel: Combine butter, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Mix until pea-sized crumbs form.
- Prepare Apples: Wash, peel, and thinly slice apples.
- Layer Cake: Spread approximately one cup of batter into the prepared pan. Cover with a thin layer of apple slices.
- Add Remaining Batter: Spread remaining batter over the apples. Arrange another layer of apple slices on top.
- Add Streusel: Sprinkle half of the streusel over the apples. Arrange remaining apple slices on top and finish with the remaining streusel.
- Bake: Bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before removing the springform ring. Cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Use firm, tart apples and slice them thinly for even baking.
- Avoid overmixing after adding the wet ingredients.
- Coating the pan with butter, sugar, and flour prevents sticking, but also creates a crisp sweet crust around the outside of the cake.
- Test doneness in the cake portion, not directly through an apple slice.
- The baking temperature and time are retained from the supplied recipe and should be confirmed with the final tested cake.
Nutrition
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