There’s something about a warm slice of apple coffee cake that feels instantly comforting. With tender apples, a soft cake base, and layers of buttery crumbs, it’s the perfect treat to enjoy with your morning coffee or as an afternoon snack. This recipe brings together everything you love about fall baking in one irresistible bite.
When the crisp air of fall starts to roll in, I find myself craving anything apple. Apples and cinnamon are at the top of that list, and this apple coffee cake brings them together in the most comforting way. Soft, warm, and filled with tender bites of fresh apple, it’s the kind of treat that feels just as right for sharing with friends as it does for savoring alone on a quiet back porch morning.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Granny Smith Apple – Granny Smith apple add a tart balance, but you can use Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala for a sweeter flavor.
- Butter – Use softened, unsalted butter for the best control of flavor. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt.
- Granulated Sugar – Standard white sugar works best.
- Brown Sugar – Light brown sugar gives a mild molasses flavor, while dark brown sugar adds deeper richness.
- Egg – Use a large egg at room temperature to help the batter mix smoothly.
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract.
- Flour – Use all-purpose flour for best results. You can swap other flours, but flavor and texture may be affected.
- Salt – Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.
- Baking Powder – Make sure it’s fresh for best results.
- Cinnamon – Freshly ground cinnamon has a stronger flavor. You could also try pumpkin pie spice for a flavorful twist.
- Milk – Whole milk gives the richest flavor, but you can use 2%, almond, oat, or soy milk as alternatives.
- Powdered Sugar – Used for the glaze. Make sure to sift it to avoid lumps.
- Crumb Topping Ingredients - Cold butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon combine for the crumb topping.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Apple Coffee Cake
- Step 1: Peel and chop the apple. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly coat with nonstick spray; set aside.
- Step 2: Beat together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer until smooth and creamy. Mix in the flour, salt, and baking powder until combined. Add the milk and beat until a smooth batter forms. For the crumb topping, combine butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Cut the butter into the mixture until it forms crumbs.
- Step 3: Spread half the batter evenly in the prepared pan, then layer the chopped apples on top. Sprinkle half of the crumbs over the apples. Spread the remaining batter evenly over the apples and crumbs, then top with the rest of the crumb mixture.
- Step 4: Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool, then prepare the glaze by mixing together the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over the cake before serving.
Hint: For the best results, use cold butter when preparing the crumb topping.
Variations/ Substitutions
- Switch up the apples. Use Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji apples for a sweeter flavor.
- Try pears instead. Fresh pear slices make a delicious alternative to apples and keep the cake moist.
- Change the spice. Pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice can be used in place of cinnamon for more depth.
- Add some crunch. Stir chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumb topping for extra texture.
- Mix in dried fruit. Raisins or dried cranberries pair beautifully with apples and add a chewy sweetness.
- Make it dairy-free. Swap in plant-based butter and non-dairy milk like almond, oat, or soy.
- Go gluten-free. Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Boost the spice. Add nutmeg or cloves alongside cinnamon for a warmer, spicier flavor profile.
If you like this apple cake recipe, also try my French Apple Cake Loaf.
Equipment
To make this apple coffee cake, you’ll need a few basic kitchen tools. A stand mixer or hand mixer makes it easy to cream the butter and sugar until smooth, though a sturdy wooden spoon works in a pinch. An 8x8-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper ensures the cake bakes evenly and lifts out cleanly.
You’ll also want mixing bowls for the batter, crumb topping, and glaze, plus a whisk or fork for blending the glaze. A sharp knife and cutting board are essential for chopping the apple into small, even pieces.
Storage
Store the apple coffee cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for up to five days.
To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds, or place the whole cake in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes until warmed through.
To freeze the cake, wrap it well in plastic wrap and then foil, or store in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving for the best texture.
Top Baking Tips
- Use room temperature butter and egg when making the batter but use cold butter for the crumb topping.
- Peel and chop the apple into small, uniform pieces to ensure even baking.
- Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner slices.
- Don’t overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added, or the cake may turn dense.
- Check for doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool slightly before glazing so the drizzle sets instead of melting in.
Serving Suggestions
This apple coffee cake is wonderfully versatile and works for just about any occasion. For breakfast or brunch, serve it warm alongside a cup of freshly brewed coffee, a pot of hot tea or a glass of Caramel Iced Coffee.
Pair it with over hard, hard boiled or scrambled eggs, bacon, or a fruit salad to round out the meal and balance the sweetness. It’s a simple but special addition to a weekend brunch spread with family or friends.
As a dessert, this cake is just as satisfying. The tender apples and buttery crumb topping make it rich enough to stand on its own, but you can also serve it with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent touch. Whether you’re enjoying it in the quiet of the morning or as a sweet ending to dinner, this apple coffee cake fits the moment perfectly.
FAQ
Apple coffee cake keeps well for a couple of days, and the flavors even deepen after resting overnight so it's perfect for making ahead of time.
Peeling is recommended for a softer texture, but you can leave the skins on if you prefer more texture.
If you double the recipe, simply bake it in a 9x13-inch pan and adjust the bake time slightly, checking with a toothpick for doneness.
More Apple Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you like this Apple Coffee Cake recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.
RECIPE
Apple Coffee Cake
Ingredients
- 1 large Granny Smith apple peeled and chopped
- ½ cup butter 1 stick, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ cup milk
Crumb Topping
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 cup purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Glaze
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon milk
Instructions
- Peel and chop the apple. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly coat with nonstick spray; set aside.
- Beat together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer until smooth and creamy. Mix in the flour, salt, and baking powder until combined. Add the milk and beat until a smooth batter forms. For the crumb topping, combine butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Cut the butter into the mixture until it forms crumbs.
- Spread half the batter evenly in the prepared pan, then layer the chopped apples on top. Sprinkle half of the crumbs over the apples. Spread the remaining batter evenly over the apples and crumbs, then top with the rest of the crumb mixture.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool, then prepare the glaze by mixing together the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over the cake before serving.
Leave a Reply