Apple coffee cake is a comforting treat that fills your kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma. Its soft texture, combined with sweet apples and a crunchy streusel topping, makes it perfect for any occasion.
This recipe is simple and straightforward, so don’t worry if you’re new to baking. You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste, so let’s get started!
The “Why” Behind This Recipe
This apple coffee cake recipe works so well because of the balance between moistness and structure. The combination of sour cream and diced apples keeps the cake tender, while the creamed butter and sugar add airiness. Together, they create a delightful texture that complements the crunchy streusel topping perfectly. With this foundation, you can enjoy a lovely treat any time.
Now that you understand the essence of this recipe, let’s explore how to prepare it step by step.
Quick Win (Do This First)
- Before you begin, take a moment to peel, core, and dice your apples.
- This not only saves time during the mixing process but also ensures the apples are prepared just right for even distribution in your apple coffee cake.
Now that you have your apples ready, let’s move on to preparing the cake batter.
Essential Ingredients
To create a delightful apple coffee cake, gather the following ingredients for a delicious outcome.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted): Sifting helps aerate the flour, resulting in a lighter cake texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: This sweetener not only adds sweetness but also contributes to the cake's moisture.
- 1 tablespoon baking powder: Essential for leavening, it helps the cake rise to a fluffy consistency.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Works alongside baking powder to enhance the cake's rise and texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances flavor complexity.
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature): Softened butter creams better, creating air pockets for a light cake.
- 2 large eggs (room temperature): Room temperature eggs mix more uniformly into batter, improving texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a warm flavor that complements the apples beautifully in this coffee cake.
- ½ cup sour cream (room temperature): Contributes moisture and richness, making the cake tender and flavorful.
- 2 cups apples (peeled, cored, and diced): Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
- ½ cup all-purpose flour: Needed for the streusel topping to create that delightful crumbly texture on top of the cake.
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed): This adds a rich, caramel-like flavor to your streusel topping.
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted): Melted butter ensures even mixing for a crumbly yet cohesive streusel topping.
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon: A warming spice that pairs perfectly with apples and enhances the overall flavor profile.
- 1 cup powdered sugar (sifted): For the glaze, sifting prevents lumps and ensures a smooth finish on your cake.
- 2 tablespoon milk (adjust for desired consistency): Start with this amount; you can add more to achieve your preferred glaze thickness.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: This extra splash enhances the sweetness of your glaze while tying together all flavors in your cake.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Step-by-Step (No Stress)
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and take a moment to grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper. This will make it easier to remove the cake later.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until everything is well combined. The mixture should look even without any lumps, indicating it's ready for the next step.
Next, cream the softened butter in another bowl until it's light and fluffy. This process is essential as it incorporates air into the butter, leading to a lovely texture in your apple coffee cake.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream until the mixture is smooth. At this point, you’ll notice a rich aroma developing that signals you’re on the right track.
Gradually mix in your dry ingredients with gentle strokes until just combined. Be cautious not to overmix; you want your cake light and airy, not dense. Finally, fold in those diced apples so they’re evenly distributed throughout.
For the streusel topping, combine flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Mix until crumbly; it should resemble small pebbles that will add a delightful texture on top of your cake before baking begins.
With everything prepared, pour the batter into your cake pan and sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over it. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean—this means it’s perfectly done.
Once baked, let it cool for about 10 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack. While it cools completely, you can prepare the glaze by whisking together sifted powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth for that finishing touch.
Now that your apple coffee cake is ready for its glaze, let’s explore how to serve this delightful treat!
If It Looks Wrong, Here’s the Fix
- If your apple coffee cake batter seems thick, don’t worry; just add a tablespoon of milk to loosen it up.
- If the streusel topping isn’t crumbly enough, simply mix in a little more melted butter until you achieve the right texture.
- And if the cake isn’t rising as expected, ensure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh for proper leavening.
Now that you're equipped with solutions to common baking dilemmas, let's move on to the exciting part: baking that delicious apple coffee cake.
Budget & Time Tips
To save time while making your apple coffee cake, consider prepping the apples in advance and storing them in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake. You can also double the streusel topping and use half for another dessert later, like muffins. Lastly, using room temperature ingredients helps speed up mixing and ensures a smoother batter.
These tips will make your baking experience more efficient and enjoyable as you create this delightful treat.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheat
You can prepare the apple coffee cake batter a day in advance and refrigerate it before baking. Once baked, store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. To reheat, place a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, ensuring it retains its moist texture. This will keep your cake fresh for enjoying later. Transitioning from storage to serving, consider how best to present this delightful treat.
FAQ
Can I use different types of apples for apple coffee cake?
Yes, feel free to use your favorite apples, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, for varying sweetness.
How can I store leftover apple coffee cake?
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
Can I make apple coffee cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake it a day in advance and glaze it just before serving.
What should I do if my apple coffee cake is too dry?
Ensure you measure flour accurately and avoid overmixing to maintain moisture in the cake.
Can I freeze apple coffee cake for later use?
Yes, wrap it tightly and freeze for up to three months; thaw before serving.
Now that you have all the essential details about making apple coffee cake, let’s explore some delicious serving suggestions.
Apple Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- In another bowl, cream the softened butter until light and fluffy. This will help to incorporate air into the batter, ensuring a light texture.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a dense cake.
- Fold in the diced apples, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon. Mix until crumbly. This will create a nice texture on top of the cake.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This ensures the cake is fully cooked.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the milk quantity to achieve your desired glaze consistency.
- Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top using a spoon or a piping bag for a decorative touch.
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