Fluffy Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe: Morning Magic

When the aroma of warm apple cinnamon coffee cake wafts through your kitchen, magic happens instantly.

Seasonal baking reaches new heights with this delightful treat that combines sweet apples and rich cinnamon.

Soft, tender crumbs mingle with bursts of fruity goodness in every single bite.

The streusel topping adds a delectable crunch that makes this cake irresistibly tempting.

Weekends and lazy mornings become extraordinary with this simple yet elegant dessert.

Home bakers will adore how effortlessly this recipe comes together with minimal ingredients.

Each slice promises a comforting embrace of classic fall flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Instructions for Soft and Spiced Cake

• Cozy Kitchen Preparation

Warm up your kitchen and grab your favorite baking tools. Line a square pan with parchment, creating a comfy nest for your delicious cake.

• Streusel Magic

Whip together a crunchy, sweet topping that will make your kitchen smell like a dream. Mix dry ingredients with melted butter until it looks like sandy crumbs.

• Cake Batter Bliss

Cream butter and sugars until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Gently fold in eggs and vanilla, then alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream to create a silky smooth batter.

• Apple Cinnamon Adventure

Slice crisp apples and dust them with warm cinnamon. Nestle these golden pieces into your cake batter, creating pockets of fruity goodness.

• Streusel Crown

Sprinkle the crumbly streusel over the top, creating a golden, crunchy landscape that will make everyone’s mouth water.

• Baking Transformation

Slide the pan into a preheated oven and let magic happen. Bake until the cake turns a gorgeous golden brown and fills your home with irresistible aromas.

• Sweet Finale

Let the cake cool and whisper a light glaze over the top, adding a final touch of sweetness that will make this treat absolutely unforgettable.

Topping Ideas and Fall Flavor Tips

• Flavor Boost: Swap regular apples for tart Granny Smith or sweet Honeycrisp to change the cake's flavor profile and texture.
• Texture Tip: Chop apples into smaller, uniform pieces to ensure even distribution and prevent sinking during baking.
• Storage Hack: Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for a week.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the streusel and dry ingredients the night before to cut down on morning prep time and enjoy a quick, delicious breakfast cake.
• Dairy-Free Option: Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt or a non-dairy alternative like coconut yogurt for a lighter, allergy-friendly version of this classic coffee cake.

Serving Coffee Cake for Breakfast or Brunch

• Sweet Morning Companion: Pair this warm, fragrant coffee cake with a steaming mug of freshly brewed coffee or tea for a cozy breakfast experience that feels like a gentle morning hug.
• Elegant Brunch Showstopper: Serve slices alongside fresh berries and whipped cream, creating a beautiful presentation that will impress guests at your next weekend brunch gathering.
• Comforting Dessert Delight: Enjoy a slice as a delightful after-dinner treat, warmed slightly and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent touch that melts in your mouth.
• Afternoon Pick-Me-Up: Cut into smaller squares and pack in lunchboxes or enjoy with an afternoon coffee break, bringing a touch of homemade warmth to your midday routine.

How to Keep It Moist and Fresh

• Smart Storage Solutions
• – Refrigerator Refuge: Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Slice portions as needed for quick enjoyment.
• – Freezer-Friendly Option: Carefully wrap individual slices or whole cake in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Frozen cake maintains delicious quality for 2-3 months.
• – Room Temperature Trick: Store cake covered at room temperature for 2 days maximum, ensuring optimal texture and flavor. Use a cake dome or tight-sealing container.
• – Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds or in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore that freshly-baked warmth and softness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

• All Purpose Flour: Provides a crisp, crumbly base that adds delightful texture and golden-brown crunch to the cake's surface.
• Light Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Brings deep caramel sweetness and balanced sugary notes to enhance the streusel's flavor profile.
• Cinnamon: Infuses warm, aromatic spiciness that complements the apple's natural sweetness.
• Unsalted Butter: Binds ingredients together, creating a rich, melt-in-your-mouth topping with luxurious moisture.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates a tender, velvety cake texture with rich, creamy undertones.
• Granulated Sugar, Light Brown Sugar: Delivers balanced sweetness and helps create a soft, moist crumb.
• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind ingredients for a smooth, cohesive batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds deep, complex flavor that enhances overall cake taste.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Ensure perfect rise and light, airy cake texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavor dimensions.
• Cinnamon, Allspice, Ground Cloves: Create a warm, aromatic spice blend that complements the apples.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture, tanginess, and creates an incredibly tender cake texture.
• All Purpose Flour: Forms the structural foundation of the cake with a soft, delicate crumb.

Tools to Bake a Cozy Coffee Cake

• 8-inch baking pan: Essential for creating the perfect cake shape and size.
• Parchment paper: Ensures easy cake removal and prevents sticking.
• Mixing bowls: Great for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk or electric mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar to a fluffy consistency.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Spatula: Perfect for spreading batter evenly and scraping bowl sides.
• Cutting board and knife: Useful for preparing and chopping apples.
• Cooling rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottom.

Decadent Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Homemade apple cinnamon coffee cake delivers pure comfort with classic American flavors. Crumbly streusel topping and moist cake layers invite warm moments of delightful indulgence for eager bakers.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (213 grams) apples, peeled and sliced or chopped
• 1 ½ cups (188 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (170 grams) sour cream
• ¼ cup (50 grams) light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ tsps cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon (for apples)
• ¼ tsp allspice
• Pinch ground cloves
• ¾ cup (177 milliliters) all-purpose flour (streusel)
• ¼ cup (50 grams) light brown sugar (streusel)
• 2 tbsps (25 grams) granulated sugar (streusel)
• 1 tsp cinnamon (streusel)
• ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted (streusel)
• 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar (glaze)
• 1 ½ tbsps (22 milliliters) milk (glaze)
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract (glaze)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for seamless cake removal.
2. Streusel Creation: Combine dry ingredients with melted butter, mixing until a crumbly, sandy consistency develops, then set aside for later incorporation.
3. Batter Foundation: Cream butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl until light and airy, creating a smooth base for the cake’s structure.
4. Moisture Integration: Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, ensuring a uniform and richly flavored foundation.
5. Batter Composition: Gently fold dry flour components and sour cream alternately, maintaining a delicate balance to achieve a silky, homogeneous texture.
6. Apple Preparation: Toss apple pieces with ground cinnamon, thoroughly coating the fruit to distribute warm, spicy notes throughout.
7. Assembly: Pour batter into the prepared pan, evenly spreading the mixture and strategically placing cinnamon-coated apple pieces across the surface, allowing them to slightly embed.
8. Topping Application: Generously distribute the prepared streusel over the apple-laden batter, creating a textural and flavorful crown.
9. Baking Process: Slide the cake into the preheated oven and bake until a golden-brown crust forms and a toothpick inserted emerges clean, approximately 45-50 minutes.
10. Finishing Touches: Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan, then optionally drizzle with a complementary glaze for added sweetness and visual appeal.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for a smoother, more even cake batter that blends seamlessly with other ingredients.
• Streusel Consistency Check: Aim for a sandy, crumbly texture when mixing streusel ingredients, ensuring it will create a crispy, delightful topping.
• Apple Coating Technique: Toss apple pieces in cinnamon just before adding to prevent excess moisture from making the cake soggy.
• Toothpick Test Accuracy: Insert a toothpick into the cake’s center to check doneness; it should come out clean with no wet batter clinging to it.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg