Introduction
Oh, hello there, friend! If you’re anything like me, the smell of warm apples and cinnamon instantly brings a cozy hug to your kitchen. There’s just something so comforting about a slice of homemade coffee cake, especially when it’s bursting with tender apples and a perfectly crunchy streusel topping. This Apple Streusel Coffee Cake is one of those recipes that instantly becomes a favorite. It’s incredibly easy to whip up, making it perfect for those busy mornings when you want something special, or for an afternoon treat that feels like a little bit of heaven. Get ready to fill your home with the most amazing aroma!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, you can have this batter mixed and in the oven in under 20 minutes!
- Easy: No fancy techniques required, just simple mixing and layering.
- Giftable: Bake it for a neighbor, friend, or family member – it’s always a welcome treat.
- Crowd-pleasing: Everyone, from picky eaters to seasoned bakers, adores this cake. It’s a guaranteed hit!
Ingredients
Let’s gather our goodies! I love that this recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Streusel Topping:
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour: The base for our crumbly topping.
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar: For that perfect caramel-y sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: The star spice that makes it smell like autumn!
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened: Make sure it’s softened, not melted, for the best crumble.
For the Coffee Cake Batter:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation of our cake.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: For a nice lift.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Works with the buttermilk for a tender crumb.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances out all that sweetness.
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened: Again, softened is key for creaming!
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar: Just a touch of sweetness in the cake itself.
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar: Adds another layer of rich flavor.
- 1 large egg: To bind everything together.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Because vanilla makes everything better!
- 3/4 cup buttermilk: This is what makes the cake so incredibly moist and tender. If you don’t have any, a little trick is to put 3/4 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar in a measuring cup and fill it up to the 3/4 cup line with milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes!
For the Apple Filling:
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar: Sweetness for our apples.
- 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Helps thicken up the apple juices.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: Doubles down on that wonderful apple-cinnamon combo!
- 1 1/2 cups diced apples: About 1-2 medium apples. I like to use Honeycrisp or Gala for their sweetness and texture, but your favorite baking apple will work perfectly.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get baking! This is where the magic happens.
- Prepare the Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, toss together the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the softened butter. Now, here’s my favorite part – use your fingers or a pastry blender to mix it all up until it forms coarse, crumbly pieces. It should look like delicious little pebbles! Set this aside while you make the batter.
- Make the Coffee Cake Batter: First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch baking pan – I usually use butter or cooking spray. In a medium bowl, give a good whisk to your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This just ensures everything is nicely combined. In a separate, larger bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat them with an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and looks a bit pale. Then, beat in the egg and vanilla until well combined. Now, it’s time to add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk. Add about a third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix on low speed. Then, add half of the buttermilk and mix again. Repeat this process, alternating between the flour mixture and the buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until everything is just combined – overmixing can make the cake tough.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add your diced apples and toss them gently until they’re all nicely coated in that sweet, spicy mixture. This little step makes such a difference in the flavor and texture of the apple layer!
- Assemble the Cake: Grab that greased baking pan. Spread about half of your lovely coffee cake batter evenly into the bottom. Now, carefully scatter the apple filling over the batter. Try to get an even layer so you get apples in every bite! Then, dollop the remaining batter over the apples, spreading it gently to cover them as much as possible. Finally, take your prepared streusel topping and sprinkle it evenly all over the top of the cake. Get every corner!
- Bake: Pop that beautiful creation into your preheated oven. Bake for about 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and the top is a lovely golden brown. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows it to set up properly.
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is fantastic as is, but I love playing around with it! Here are a few ideas:
- Nuts in the Streusel: Feel free to add about 1/4 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for an extra crunch.
- Different Spices: A pinch of nutmeg or a tiny bit of cardamom in the streusel or apple filling can add a lovely twist.
- Berries Instead of Apples: In the summer, try using diced peaches or a cup of fresh berries (like blueberries or raspberries) for the filling.
- Lemon Zest: A tablespoon of lemon zest in the cake batter or a little sprinkle on top before serving can brighten things up wonderfully.
Tips for Success
Here are a few of my best tips to ensure your Apple Streusel Coffee Cake turns out perfectly every time:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, egg, and buttermilk are at room temperature. This helps them combine smoothly for a better batter texture.
- Don’t Overmix: I can’t stress this enough! Overmixing the batter develops gluten, which can make your cake tough. Mix until just combined.
- Grease Your Pan Well: A well-greased pan prevents the cake from sticking, making for easy removal and cleanup.
- Prep Ahead: You can make the streusel topping a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The apples can also be diced and tossed with the filling ingredients a few hours ahead and kept chilled.
How to Store It
Once your cake has cooled, you can store it at room temperature in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, or if you used perishable additions like cream cheese frosting, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator. It’s also delicious slightly warmed up!
FAQs
Can I make this coffee cake without buttermilk?
Yes, you can! As mentioned in the ingredients, you can substitute 3/4 cup of milk mixed with 3/4 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to curdle slightly.
What kind of apples are best for this cake?
Any firm, baking apple will work! Varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith (if you like a bit of tartness) are excellent choices. You want apples that hold their shape when baked.
How long does the streusel topping last?
The streusel topping can be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick stir before using it.
Can I freeze this coffee cake?
Yes, you can! Once completely cooled, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it overnight at room temperature.
Apple Streusel Coffee Cake
This Apple Streusel Coffee Cake is incredibly easy to whip up, making it perfect for those busy mornings when you want something special, or for an afternoon treat that feels like a little bit of heaven.
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- 9-inch baking pan greased
- Electric mixer
- Small bowl
- Wire rack
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
- 0.666 cup all-purpose flour The base for our crumbly topping.
- 0.5 cup packed brown sugar For that perfect caramel-y sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon The star spice that makes it smell like autumn!
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter Make sure it’s softened, not melted, for the best crumble.
Coffee Cake Batter
- 1.75 cups all-purpose flour The sturdy foundation of our cake.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder For a nice lift.
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda Works with the buttermilk for a tender crumb.
- 0.5 teaspoon salt Balances out all that sweetness.
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter Again, softened is key for creaming!
- 0.333 cup granulated sugar Just a touch of sweetness in the cake itself.
- 0.25 cup packed brown sugar Adds another layer of rich flavor.
- 1 large egg To bind everything together.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Because vanilla makes everything better!
- 0.75 cup buttermilk This is what makes the cake so incredibly moist and tender. If you don't have any, a little trick is to put 3/4 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar in a measuring cup and fill it up to the 3/4 cup line with milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes!
Apple Filling
- 0.5 cup packed brown sugar Sweetness for our apples.
- 1.5 tablespoons all-purpose flour Helps thicken up the apple juices.
- 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon Doubles down on that wonderful apple-cinnamon combo!
- 1.5 cups diced apples About 1-2 medium apples. I like to use Honeycrisp or Gala for their sweetness and texture, but your favorite baking apple will work perfectly.
Instructions
- Prepare the Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, toss together the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the softened butter. Now, here's my favorite part – use your fingers or a pastry blender to mix it all up until it forms coarse, crumbly pieces. It should look like delicious little pebbles! Set this aside while you make the batter.
- Make the Coffee Cake Batter: First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch baking pan – I usually use butter or cooking spray. In a medium bowl, give a good whisk to your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This just ensures everything is nicely combined. In a separate, larger bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat them with an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and looks a bit pale. Then, beat in the egg and vanilla until well combined. Now, it’s time to add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk. Add about a third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix on low speed. Then, add half of the buttermilk and mix again. Repeat this process, alternating between the flour mixture and the buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until everything is just combined – overmixing can make the cake tough.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add your diced apples and toss them gently until they're all nicely coated in that sweet, spicy mixture. This little step makes such a difference in the flavor and texture of the apple layer!
- Assemble the Cake: Grab that greased baking pan. Spread about half of your lovely coffee cake batter evenly into the bottom. Now, carefully scatter the apple filling over the batter. Try to get an even layer so you get apples in every bite! Then, dollop the remaining batter over the apples, spreading it gently to cover them as much as possible. Finally, take your prepared streusel topping and sprinkle it evenly all over the top of the cake. Get every corner!
- Bake: Pop that beautiful creation into your preheated oven. Bake for about 35-40 minutes. You'll know it's ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and the top is a lovely golden brown. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows it to set up properly.
Notes
This recipe is fantastic as is, but I love playing around with it! Here are a few ideas:
- Nuts in the Streusel: Feel free to add about 1/4 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for an extra crunch.
- Different Spices: A pinch of nutmeg or a tiny bit of cardamom in the streusel or apple filling can add a lovely twist.
- Berries Instead of Apples: In the summer, try using diced peaches or a cup of fresh berries (like blueberries or raspberries) for the filling.
- Lemon Zest: A tablespoon of lemon zest in the cake batter or a little sprinkle on top before serving can brighten things up wonderfully. Here are a few of my best tips to ensure your Apple Streusel Coffee Cake turns out perfectly every time:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, egg, and buttermilk are at room temperature. This helps them combine smoothly for a better batter texture.
- Don't Overmix: I can't stress this enough! Overmixing the batter develops gluten, which can make your cake tough. Mix until just combined.
- Grease Your Pan Well: A well-greased pan prevents the cake from sticking, making for easy removal and cleanup.
- Prep Ahead: You can make the streusel topping a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The apples can also be diced and tossed with the filling ingredients a few hours ahead and kept chilled.
- Nuts in the Streusel: Feel free to add about 1/4 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for an extra crunch.
- Different Spices: A pinch of nutmeg or a tiny bit of cardamom in the streusel or apple filling can add a lovely twist.
- Berries Instead of Apples: In the summer, try using diced peaches or a cup of fresh berries (like blueberries or raspberries) for the filling.
- Lemon Zest: A tablespoon of lemon zest in the cake batter or a little sprinkle on top before serving can brighten things up wonderfully. Here are a few of my best tips to ensure your Apple Streusel Coffee Cake turns out perfectly every time:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, egg, and buttermilk are at room temperature. This helps them combine smoothly for a better batter texture.
- Don't Overmix: I can't stress this enough! Overmixing the batter develops gluten, which can make your cake tough. Mix until just combined.
- Grease Your Pan Well: A well-greased pan prevents the cake from sticking, making for easy removal and cleanup.
- Prep Ahead: You can make the streusel topping a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The apples can also be diced and tossed with the filling ingredients a few hours ahead and kept chilled.