Name: Fail-Proof Apple Coffee Cake: Ditch Bakery Guilt Now
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup sour cream; 3 cups peeled and diced apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith); For the Streusel Topping:; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup packed brown sugar; 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Jump to Recipe

Oh, friends, let’s talk about fall! And what’s more fall than the smell of apples and cinnamon wafting through your kitchen on a crisp morning? That’s exactly what you get with this apple coffee cake. Seriously, it’s like a warm hug in cake form, and trust me, it’s ridiculously easy to make. I’ve been tweaking and perfecting this recipe for years, and it’s finally ready for you!

My favorite part is how simple it is – you don’t need to be a professional baker to whip up this beauty. Plus, it’s bursting with apple-y goodness and a crumbly streusel topping that’s just… *chef’s kiss*. I love making this apple coffee cake on a lazy Sunday morning, with a steaming mug of coffee in hand, ready to face the day. This recipe brings back so many memories from my childhood, so I know you’ll love this as much as I do!

Why You’ll Love This Apple Coffee Cake

It’s so easy to make; seriously, anyone can do it!
The flavor? Oh my, it’s absolutely divine. Apples, cinnamon, that crumbly streusel… wow!
It’s unbelievably moist – you know, the kind of cake that melts in your mouth? That’s this one!
Hello, fall vibes! This is THE cake to bake when the leaves start changing.
Guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Bring it to brunch, and watch it disappear!

Quick and Easy Apple Coffee Cake Recipe

Seriously, if I can do it, you can do it! This apple coffee cake recipe is really straightforward, even if you’re new to baking.

Irresistibly Moist Apple Coffee Cake

The secret weapon? Sour cream! It makes this apple coffee cake unbelievably tender and moist. Trust me on this!

Perfect Fall Flavors in This Apple Coffee Cake

Apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg – could there *be* a more perfect fall flavor combo? I think not! This apple coffee cake screams autumn goodness.

Ingredients for Your Apple Coffee Cake

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make this amazing apple coffee cake. Don’t worry, it’s mostly stuff you probably already have!

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (because, yum!)
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt (just a pinch!)
1 cup (that’s 2 sticks!) unsalted butter, softened. Seriously, make sure it’s soft!
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (the good stuff!)
1 cup sour cream (this is key for that moistness I was talking about!)
3 cups peeled and diced apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith are my go-to’s)

For that glorious Streusel Topping:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (cold is important here!)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional, but highly recommended!)

How to Prepare the Best Apple Coffee Cake

Okay, now for the fun part! Let’s get baking! I’ll walk you through each step to make sure your apple coffee cake turns out absolutely perfect. Trust me, it’s easier than you think!

Getting Started: Preheat and Prep for Apple Coffee Cake

First things first: crank up that oven to 350°F (175°C). You definitely want it nice and hot before the apple coffee cake batter is ready. While that’s heating up, grab a 9×13 inch baking pan. Grease it really well – I like to use butter – and then dust it with flour. This will stop the cake from sticking. Nobody wants a cake that crumbles when you try to get it out!

Making the Apple Coffee Cake Batter

In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 1/2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Just whisk it all together until it’s nicely combined. Now, in a *large* bowl (we need the space!), cream together the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy – this usually takes a few minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in that vanilla extract. Mmm, smells good already, right?

Now, here comes the alternating! Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until *just* combined. Seriously, don’t overmix! That’s how you get a tough cake, and nobody wants that. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, so mix until everything is just barely incorporated.

Preparing the Streusel Topping for Apple Coffee Cake

Okay, time for the streusel! In a separate bowl, combine the 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Then, cut in the *cold* butter using a pastry blender or your fingers. I like using my fingers – it’s kind of therapeutic! Just rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. If you’re using walnuts, stir them in now.

Assembling and Baking Your Apple Coffee Cake

Gently fold those diced apples into the batter. Make sure they’re evenly distributed. Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Now, sprinkle that glorious streusel topping evenly over the batter. Pop it in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. A wooden skewer inserted into the center should come out clean. Let it cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. And try not to eat the whole thing in one sitting… though I won’t judge if you do!

Tips for the Most Delicious Apple Coffee Cake

Want to take your apple coffee cake to the *next level*? Here are a few of my tried-and-true tips. Trust me, they make a difference!

Make sure your butter, eggs, and sour cream are all at room temperature. It really helps everything mix together evenly!
Seriously, don’t overmix the batter! I mentioned it before, but it’s worth repeating. Overmixing = tough cake.
Use a wooden skewer to check for doneness. If it comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs), you’re good to go!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Apple Coffee Cake

Let’s chat ingredients! Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples are my *favorites* for this apple coffee cake, but really, any baking apple works. If you don’t have sour cream (gasp!), Greek yogurt works in a pinch. And if walnuts aren’t your thing, pecans are a yummy substitute. Just have fun with it!

Storing Your Apple Coffee Cake

Okay, so you *somehow* have leftovers? Wow! To keep your apple coffee cake nice and moist, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It’ll stay good for up to 3 days… if it lasts that long! Honestly, mine’s usually gone way before then!

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Coffee Cake

Got questions about making the best apple coffee cake ever? Don’t worry, I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common things people ask me:

Can I use different types of apples in this apple coffee cake?

Absolutely! While I love Honeycrisp and Granny Smith for their flavor and texture, feel free to experiment! Fuji, Gala, or even a mix of different apples would be delicious in this apple coffee cake. Just make sure they’re good for baking – you don’t want them to turn to mush!

How do I keep my apple coffee cake moist?

Moist apple coffee cake is the *best* apple coffee cake, right? The key is not to overbake it! And don’t skip the sour cream – it’s a game-changer. Also, make sure you’re measuring your flour correctly; too much flour can dry out your cake.

Can I freeze apple coffee cake?

Yep! If you want to make this ahead of time (or just want to save some for later – good luck with that!), you can totally freeze it. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge and then warm it up in the oven for a few minutes. So easy!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Apple Coffee Cake (Option A)

Okay, so I know we’re all about enjoying this apple coffee cake, but some of you might be curious about the nutrition stuff. So, here’s a *rough* estimate of what you’re looking at per slice. Keep in mind, this is just an estimate, and it can vary depending on the exact ingredients you use!

Typically, one slice of this apple coffee cake packs around 350 calories. You’re also looking at roughly 18 grams of fat, 4 grams of protein, and 45 grams of carbs. Just a heads-up!

Enjoy Your Homemade Apple Coffee Cake!

There you have it! My super easy, super delicious apple coffee cake recipe. I just *know* you’re going to love it as much as I do! Seriously, give it a try and then come back and tell me what you think! Leave a comment, rate the recipe, and if you’re feeling fancy, share a pic on social media! Happy baking!