Welcome to cozy, autumn-inspired baking bliss! Apple Pie Coffee Cake is pure comfort, marrying the sweet-tart joy of baked apples with a buttery cinnamon streusel and a tender crumb. Each bite offers a gentle crunch and a ribbon of cinnamon, all topped with an irresistible vanilla glaze. Whether it’s breakfast with your favorite people or an afternoon snack, this recipe is bound to become your new favorite treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Apple Pie Coffee Cake keeps things delightfully simple — every ingredient plays a significant part, building flavor and texture in every layer. Nothing fancy, just pantry staples and fresh apples coming together to create magic!
- All-purpose flour: Gives the cake its sturdy-yet-tender structure, as well as foundation for the crumbly streusel.
- Baking powder: Works alongside the baking soda to provide a gentle lift, so your cake is light and fluffy.
- Baking soda: Enhances browning and balances the acidity from the sour cream and apples for perfect texture.
- Salt: Rounds out the sweetness and intensifies every flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Supplies rich flavor and ensures each bite is melt-in-your-mouth good; used in both cake and streusel.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps it brown beautifully.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add a lovely golden hue.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a deep aroma and extra warmth that pairs perfectly with apples and cinnamon.
- Sour cream: The secret to ultra-moist, tender Coffee Cake; its subtle tang balances the sweetness.
- Chopped apples: Choose Granny Smith for tartness or Honeycrisp for sweetness — they bring natural juicy flavor and bits of autumn in every bite.
- Light brown sugar: Used in the streusel for its caramel notes and a soft crumbly texture.
- Ground cinnamon: Classic apple pie spice — adds warmth and coziness, just like your favorite fall dessert.
- Powdered sugar: Forms the silky base for the glaze that’s drizzled over the top.
- Milk: Loosens the glaze to a drizzly consistency — start with a little and add more as needed.
How to Make Apple Pie Coffee Cake
Step 1: Make the Cinnamon Streusel
Start by combining flour, light brown sugar, and a generous dose of cinnamon in a small bowl. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to work the mixture until it’s crumbly and resembles coarse, delicious sand. This topping will give your Apple Pie Coffee Cake its signature sweet crunch.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution, so the cake bakes up consistently light and fluffy with every bite.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a larger mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is key for introducing air and creating an irresistibly tender crumb in your Apple Pie Coffee Cake.
Step 4: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Sour Cream
Beat in the eggs one at a time until just combined, then stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream. The mixture should look luscious and smooth, promising the moist cake texture that puts this Apple Pie Coffee Cake over the top.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients, Fold in Apples
Add the dry mixture gradually to the wet, stirring until just incorporated — overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Finally, gently fold in your chopped apples. The aroma at this point will be pure autumn magic!
Step 6: Layer the Batter and Streusel
Spread half the batter into your greased 9-inch square baking dish. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon streusel over the batter, then gently layer on the remaining batter. Finish with the rest of the streusel, lavishing every inch with those crumbly, cinnamon-infused clusters.
Step 7: Bake
Pop your creation into a 350°F oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick. When it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, your Apple Pie Coffee Cake is perfectly baked. Let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes to let the flavors settle and the crumbs firm up just enough for serving.
Step 8: Glaze and Serve
Whisk together powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake, letting it seep into the cinnamon crevices. Your kitchen will smell incredible, and the result will be too tempting to resist!
How to Serve Apple Pie Coffee Cake
Garnishes
This cake looks stunning with just its drizzled glaze, but for a little extra flair, scatter a few finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the top. A dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of cinnamon also gives it a bakery-perfect finish. Feeling festive? Add thin apple slices fanned along the side of each piece.
Side Dishes
A piping hot mug of coffee or chai pairs like a dream with Apple Pie Coffee Cake. For an elevated weekend brunch, serve it alongside Greek yogurt, a fluffy omelet, or even some crisp breakfast sausages for a delightful salty-sweet contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the coffee cake into generous squares and serve on a rustic wooden board for casual gatherings, or go fancy and stack alternating layers of cake and whipped cream in parfait glasses. For picnics or potlucks, wrap individual slices in parchment and twine — guests will love the grab-and-go treat!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Apple Pie Coffee Cake keeps beautifully at room temperature for up to three days. Simply cover the dish with foil or plastic wrap, ensuring it’s airtight to retain its moisture. The flavors actually deepen after a day, making the leftovers (if you have any!) extra delicious.
Freezing
Want to save some for later? Cut the cooled cake into squares and freeze individually wrapped in plastic wrap, then place in a zip-top bag. It’ll keep for up to three months — just let a piece thaw at room temperature whenever a craving for Apple Pie Coffee Cake strikes.
Reheating
To enjoy that just-baked warmth, pop a slice into the microwave for about 15 seconds, or reheat in a low oven (about 300°F) until warmed through. Drizzle on a touch more glaze if you wish — nobody will guess it’s not fresh from the oven!
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! Granny Smiths are beloved for their tart bite, but Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala will work beautifully and provide variety in sweetness and texture for the Apple Pie Coffee Cake.
Do I have to use sour cream?
Sour cream is a secret weapon for extra-moist cake, but plain Greek yogurt works as a wonderfully tangy substitute. Just make sure it’s full-fat for the best texture.
Can I make this cake gluten free?
Yes! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The Apple Pie Coffee Cake texture will be a little different, but still soft and scrumptious.
Is it possible to double the recipe?
Definitely. Double all the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan, adding 5–10 extra minutes to the bake time. You may have more Apple Pie Coffee Cake, but that’s never a problem!
Is this cake more breakfast or dessert?
Why choose? The beauty of Apple Pie Coffee Cake is that it fits right in at a leisurely weekend breakfast, a cozy mid-morning coffee, or as an after-dinner treat. It’s always welcome!
Final Thoughts
Bring a little homemade magic to your day and bake up a pan of Apple Pie Coffee Cake. It’s simple, satisfying, and guaranteed to disappear just as fast as you slice it. Trust me — once you try it, this recipe will become a cherished favorite for years to come.
Print
Apple Pie Coffee Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of fall with this Apple Pie Coffee Cake. A tender cake loaded with chunks of apples, topped with a sweet cinnamon streusel, and finished with a vanilla glaze, this dessert is perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and finely chopped apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
For the cinnamon streusel:
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
For the glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tsp milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare streusel: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch square baking dish. Mix streusel ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Make the cake batter: Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl, add eggs, vanilla, and sour cream. Gradually add dry ingredients and fold in apples.
- Assemble and bake: Spread half of the batter in the dish, sprinkle half of streusel, add remaining batter, top with rest of streusel. Bake for 40–45 minutes.
- Glaze and serve: Whisk together glaze ingredients and drizzle over the warm cake before serving.
Notes
- You can use a mix of apple varieties for more flavor depth.
- This cake is perfect for brunch, dessert, or with a hot cup of coffee.
- It keeps well for up to 3 days covered at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
