Apple Pie Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping

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Everyday Culinary Delights👩‍🍳

Posted on February 11, 2025

Nothing beats the comforting combination of warm spiced apples and soft, buttery cake. This Easy Apple Pie Coffee Cake brings together the best of two beloved desserts—apple pie and coffee cake—to create a treat that’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack.

With its tender cake base, cinnamon-kissed apple filling, and crumbly streusel topping, this coffee cake is both light and satisfying. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea, making it a great option for cozy mornings or holiday brunches. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is simple to make and delivers delicious results every time.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Pie Coffee Cake

1. A Warm & Comforting Treat

With its moist, buttery cake and cinnamon-infused apples, this coffee cake is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for chilly mornings or lazy weekends.

2. Simple Yet Impressive

Despite its bakery-quality taste and texture, this coffee cake is incredibly easy to make. It requires no special techniques or equipment, making it ideal for bakers of all skill levels.

3. Perfect for Any Occasion

This cake is versatile and can be served for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. It’s great for:
✔ Family breakfasts
✔ Holiday gatherings
✔ Coffee breaks
✔ Potlucks and bake sales

4. Balanced Sweetness

Unlike overly sweet desserts, this cake has just the right amount of sugar, allowing the natural tartness of the apples to shine through. The crumb topping adds a buttery richness that complements the flavors beautifully.

5. Make-Ahead Friendly

This cake stores well and tastes even better the next day, as the flavors continue to develop. You can prepare it ahead of time for stress-free entertaining.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt
Unsalted butter, softened
Granulated sugar
Large eggs
Vanilla extract
Milk

For the Apple Filling:

Apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
Brown sugar
Ground cinnamon
Ground nutmeg
Lemon juice

For the Streusel Topping:

All-purpose flour
Brown sugar
Ground cinnamon
Unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

Prepare the Streusel Topping: In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add melted butter and mix until crumbly. Set aside.
Make the Apple Filling: In another bowl, toss apple slices with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until evenly coated. Set aside.
Prepare the Cake Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated.
Assemble the Cake: Pour half of the batter into a greased baking pan. Layer with the apple mixture, then spread the remaining batter over the apples. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the top.
Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

Calories: Approximately 350
Protein: 5g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 70mg
Sodium: 200mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 30g

Secrets to Making the Best Apple Pie Coffee Cake

1. Choose the Right Apples

For the best flavor, use a mix of sweet and tart apples. Some great options include:

Granny Smith (tart, firm)
Honeycrisp (sweet, crisp)
Fuji (sweet, slightly soft)
Braeburn (balanced flavor)

Using multiple apple varieties adds depth and complexity to the filling.

2. Don’t Overmix the Batter

Overmixing leads to a dense, tough cake. Mix the batter just until combined for a soft, tender crumb.

3. Layer the Apples Evenly

To ensure every bite has a burst of apple goodness, spread the apple filling evenly between the layers.

4. Use Cold Butter for the Streusel

For a perfectly crumbly topping, use cold butter when mixing the streusel. This creates a crisp, golden topping that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake.

5. Let the Cake Cool Before Slicing

Resist the temptation to cut into the cake right away! Allowing it to cool helps it set and makes slicing easier without crumbling.

Fun Variations to Try

1. Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the cake before serving for a decadent caramel apple flavor.

2. Apple Walnut Coffee Cake

Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel topping for extra crunch and nuttiness.

3. Apple Cranberry Coffee Cake

For a festive twist, mix in dried cranberries with the apple filling to add a pop of tartness.

4. Maple Glazed Apple Coffee Cake

Instead of streusel, top the cake with a maple glaze made from powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk for a lighter finish.

5. Spiced Apple Coffee Cake

Enhance the warm flavors by adding a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or ginger to the batter.

Best Ways to Serve Apple Pie Coffee Cake

1. Warm with a Cup of Coffee or Tea

Enjoy a freshly baked slice with your favorite hot beverage for the ultimate cozy experience.

2. Topped with Whipped Cream

A dollop of homemade whipped cream adds lightness and a touch of sweetness to the cake.

3. With a Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream

For a dessert-style treat, serve the cake warm with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

4. As a Holiday Breakfast or Brunch

This coffee cake is perfect for holiday mornings. Serve it alongside scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit for a complete breakfast spread.

How to Store & Keep Fresh

Refrigeration:

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Warm slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds before serving.

Freezing:

Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
To serve, thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes.

Reheating:

To restore the freshly baked texture, warm the cake in the oven at 325°F (165°C) for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I Use a Cake Mix Instead of Making the Batter from Scratch?

Yes! For a shortcut, use a vanilla or yellow cake mix and follow the instructions, adding a layer of spiced apples and streusel topping before baking.

2. What’s the Best Type of Pan to Use?

A 9×13-inch baking pan works best for this recipe, but you can also use a round cake pan or a bundt pan for a different presentation.

3. Can I Make This Cake Dairy-Free?

Yes! Substitute the butter with dairy-free butter or coconut oil and use almond or oat milk instead of regular milk.

4. How Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?

Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour to make this cake gluten-free.

5. Can I Use Canned Apple Pie Filling Instead of Fresh Apples?

Yes! If using canned filling, reduce the sugar in the recipe to avoid an overly sweet cake.

6. Why Did My Streusel Topping Sink into the Cake?

This happens if the batter is too thin. Be sure to use room-temperature ingredients and avoid overmixing the batter.

Final Thoughts – A Classic Dessert with a Cozy Twist

This Easy Apple Pie Coffee Cake is a delicious fusion of classic apple pie flavors and soft, crumbly coffee cake. It’s simple to make, packed with warm spices, and perfect for any time of day.

Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just for yourself, this cake never disappoints. With its tender texture, rich apple filling, and crunchy streusel topping, every bite is a comforting taste of home.

So grab some fresh apples, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a cake that’s bound to become a household favorite!