Easy Apple Coffee Cake Recipe
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It’s already August, which means that fall is just around the corner! What is synonymous with fall besides pumpkins and leaves? Apples! That is why I decided to make this Apple Coffee Cake.
This coffee cake is easy to make and has that cinnamon apple fall flavor that many people are craving this time of year.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Flour provides the structure and body to the cake, helping it hold together.
- Baking powder acts as a leavening agent, making the cake rise and become fluffy.
- Salt enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Sugar adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
- Butter adds richness, moisture, and contributes to a tender, flaky texture.
- Egg binds the ingredients together and adds moisture, helping with the cake’s structure.
- Milk adds moisture and helps blend the batter smoothly.
- Apples bring natural sweetness, moisture, and a fresh fruity flavor.
- Cinnamon and sugar (for topping) provide warmth, sweetness, and a delightful crunch on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen or canned apples instead of fresh? Fresh apples work best for texture, but if using frozen, thaw and drain well first. Canned apples might make the cake too soggy.
Why do I need to sift the dry ingredients? Sifting helps remove lumps and evenly distributes baking powder and salt, resulting in a lighter, more even cake.
Why does the cake sometimes turn out dense? Overmixing the batter or using too much flour can make it dense. Mix just until combined and measure flour carefully.
How do I keep the apples from sinking? Toss apple slices lightly in a bit of flour before placing on top to help them stay put.
How do I know when the cake is done? Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, the cake is ready.
Helpful Tips
- If you don’t have a flour sifter, you can use a whisk to sift the dry ingredients.
- For easy coring, use an apple corer/slicer. Then you can cut the big slices into thinner pieces for topping the coffee cake.
- An 8 inch x 8 inch square pan can be used instead of a 9 inch round pan.
- It is best served warm with ice cream or whipped cream on top.
- The recipe calls for 3 medium-sized apples. I only used about 1 to cover the top layer of batter.
- Granny Smith apples are very tart and are perfect for this recipe.
Storage Tips
Room temperature: Keep the cake covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 2 days to keep it moist and fresh.
Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap in the fridge for up to a week. Let it come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
Freezing: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or use a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently before serving.
Reheating: Warm slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes to refresh that fresh-baked taste.
Substitutions and Variations
Apples: Try pears, peaches, or even berries for a different fruity twist.
Spiced Up: Add extra spices like nutmeg, cloves, or pumpkin pie spice to the batter or topping for a warmer flavor.
Nutty Crunch: Mix chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds into the batter or sprinkle on top before baking.
Glazed: Drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze or cream cheese frosting on top after baking for a sweeter finish.
Add Vanilla: Stir in vanilla extract to the batter for a deeper flavor.
What to Serve with Apple Coffee Cake
Breakfast Sides: Pair with scrambled eggs or bacon for a hearty brunch spread.
Yogurt or Whipped Cream: A dollop of Greek yogurt or lightly sweetened whipped cream adds creaminess and balances the sweetness.
Fresh Fruit: Serve alongside berries, sliced pears, or citrus segments for a refreshing contrast.
Ice Cream: Vanilla or caramel ice cream turns the cake into a dessert-worthy treat.
Coffee or Tea: A classic pairing. Try a rich, bold coffee or a spiced chai tea to complement the warm flavors.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
If you like my Apple Coffee Cake, you might also like my Cinnamon Crumb Cake or my Strawberry Coffee Cake. This Best Apple Cake Ever and this Caramel Apple Bark are also delicious.
Final Thoughts on Apple Coffee Cake
This cake was delicious and I will definitely be making it again! I may even make two of them at the same time, so we can have leftovers with our coffee or for breakfast.
Apple Coffee Cake
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Flour sifted
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ Cup Sugar
- 6 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Egg beaten
- ½ Cup Milk
- 3 Apples peeled and sliced
- 2 Tablespoons Butter melted
- ¼ Cup Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Grease a 9-inch layer pan and set aside.
- Mix and sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- Use two knives or a pastry blender to cut in butter.
- Stir the egg and milk together and then stir into the dry ingredients until all ingredients are blended.
- Spread the batter in the buttered pan.
- Place apple slices on top in a circular pattern until the top of the dough is covered.
- Brush with butter and sprinkle evenly with cinnamon and sugar.
- Bake at 400° for 25 minutes or until toothpick poked in center comes out clean.
Notes
- If you don’t have a flour sifeter , you can use a whisk to sift the dry ingredients.
- For easy coring, use an apple corer slicer. Then you can cut the big slices into thinner pieces for topping the coffee cake.
- An 8″x8″ square pan can be used instead of a 9-inch round pan .
- It is best served warm with ice cream or whipped cream on top.
- The recipe calls for 3 medium-sized apples. I only used about 1 to cover the top layer of batter.
- Granny Smith apples are very tart and are perfect for this recipe.
*Adapted from The American-International Encyclopedic Cookbook by Anne London, copyright 1972
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This is interesting to try an apple coffee cake. Coffee is one of my favorite drinks. But little to try it with food. I will save this awesome idea of recipe!
It’s the perfect cake to have with your coffee! 🙂
Ooh I love this! This sounds like the perfect autumn treat, I love recipes incoroporating apples. Thank you so much for sharing x
Thank you! Apples are such a yummy fall treat! 🙂
Ooh, yummy! I love making anything with apples when our apple trees ripen in the fall, but this looks like a perfect summer evening dessert. 🙂
Yes, it would be great in the summer too! 🙂
This has all the autumn vibes about it and I love it. My mum would absolutely love this so maybe I might make it to surprise her.
I’m sure she will enjoy it! 🙂
I have never heard of apple coffee cake before! I love apple cake though, my mum makes a delicious one! Thank you for sharing.
Lauren
If you like apple cake, you will like this! 🙂
This has me SO excited! I absolutely love apple cake so I’ll for sure be giving this a whirl myself. This just looks and sounds absolutely delicious. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us lovely, I’ll be baking this asap! Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Thank you! It’s quite tasty. 🙂
This sounds amazing. I’m excited for all things autumn. I’m trying to imagine the coffee and apple taste, along with cinnamon and I could eat it now.
Saving this recipe.
Me too! Autumn is my favorite! 🙂
Heidi, you hooked me at coffee cake. Love anything coffee. I thought that coffee was an ingredient in your recipe. Since I drink coffee every day, then this apple cake will go down nicely with a cup of my Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. Thanks for sharing your simple and easy apple cake recipe.
It is perfect with coffee! I hope you get to make it and enjoy it with your coffee soon! 🙂
I love coffee cake and the addition of apples sounds absolutely delicious! I’ve pinned this post so that I can make it soon. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
This looks amazing! Apple coffee cake can make a perfect snack, dessert, or be paired with breakfast! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Yes, it is great any time of day! 🙂
This looks so delicious! I love anything with apples in it. So yummy! I will have to try it out. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Thank you! 🙂
We love a good apple cake, and I am intrigued by the addition of coffee to it! Can’t wait to try it Heidi xx
Thank you so much! 🙂
Looks tasty! I’m trying to get more into baking so it’s neat to see what others are making.
Thank you! Baking is so fun! 🙂
Oooooh that sounds like a tasty cake! I love apple cake so will make sure to save the recipe and give it a go!! x
Thank you! 🙂
I would never have thought to combine apple and coffee but I love the sound of them combined! This looks so good Lulu xx
Thank you so much! 🙂
I’m so ready for fall! I love apple desserts so this coffee cake is right up my alley! It looks delicious so I’ll definitely have to try it one day!
Me too, Karalee! Fall can’t come fast enough! 🙂
This is sooo good! Delicious warm spices perfect for fall. This was exactly what I was looking for – thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This was delish! I’m having another piece now with a cup of coffee and it’s moist, flavorful, and fabulous!
I’m so glad it turned out!
Not only was this coffee cake delicious, it was a beautiful presentation with the sliced apples on top. We served this at our women’s Bible study this week and it was a huge hit!
That is great to hear!
This apple coffee cake was absolutely delicious and perfect for fall. Made this in my 9-inch springform pan, and it worked perfectly!
A springform pan would be perfect!
I love all things apple and this cake was delicious. The recipe was easy to understand and turned out perfect. I plan on making again over the holidays.
I’m glad you liked it. It is great for the holidays, too! 🙂