This post is proudly sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill, a brand synonymous with quality ingredients we cherish. All opinions and the passion for this recipe are genuinely mine.
Welcome to the cozy embrace of fall baking! Today, we’re diving into a recipe that perfectly captures the essence of autumn: an incredibly easy apple coffee cake. This delightful cake boasts a moist and tender crumb, generously studded with soft, flavorful apples, and crowned with a golden, crispy streusel topping. It’s perfectly balanced—not overly sweet—making it an ideal companion for your morning coffee or a delightful dessert. For those who crave an extra touch of indulgence, a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce elevates it to pure bliss.
Discover the Joy of Homemade Apple Coffee Cake
There’s something truly magical about fall baking. As the leaves turn vibrant shades and a crispness fills the air, our kitchens beckon with the comforting aromas of pumpkin, pear, and especially, apple. This season, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that has quickly become a treasured favorite in my home: an effortlessly delicious apple coffee cake. It’s more than just a cake; it’s an experience, a warm hug in every bite that perfectly embodies the spirit of autumn.
You’ll absolutely fall in love with this cake for so many reasons. Its perfectly golden, crispy streusel topping provides a delightful textural contrast to the incredibly moist and tender cake underneath. Each forkful reveals pockets of soft, sweet apples, making for a truly satisfying treat. What makes this recipe particularly special is its balanced sweetness, appealing to those who appreciate a dessert that’s rich in flavor without being overwhelmingly sugary. However, if your sweet tooth demands more, don’t hesitate to lavish it with a generous amount of warm, gooey caramel sauce!
Beyond its exquisite taste and texture, this apple coffee cake is remarkably simple to prepare, proving that exceptional homemade treats don’t require complicated steps. Imagine serving a warm slice with a freshly brewed cup of hot coffee – it’s the perfect pick-me-up, whether for a leisurely breakfast, an elegant brunch, or a comforting afternoon snack. This cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s an invitation to slow down, savor the moment, and enjoy the simple pleasures of homemade goodness.
The Secret to Superior Baking: Why Bob’s Red Mill is Our Go-To
In the world of baking, the quality of your ingredients can make all the difference, transforming a good recipe into an exceptional one. For years, Bob’s Red Mill has been our trusted, go-to brand for flours, oats, and so much more. Their commitment to excellence is evident in every product, and that commitment shines through in the spectacular results of this apple coffee cake. Here are the top three reasons why we consistently choose Bob’s Red Mill for our baking endeavors:
- Uncompromising Quality: Bob’s Red Mill stands as a beacon of quality. They are passionately dedicated to providing high-quality, minimally processed products, ensuring that from their mill to your table, you receive only the best. This dedication means using premium grains and traditional milling methods that preserve the natural goodness and robust flavors of their ingredients. When you bake with Bob’s Red Mill, you can taste the difference – a superior foundation for all your culinary creations.
- Exceptional Variety: One of the greatest strengths of Bob’s Red Mill is their extensive range of products, catering to diverse dietary needs and preferences without ever sacrificing flavor or performance. Whether you’re seeking wholesome whole grains, versatile all-purpose flours, or specialized options for vegan, paleo, or gluten-free diets, you’ll find an abundance of choices. Their precise milling and careful sourcing mean that even their gluten-free flours perform beautifully, as demonstrated by this very coffee cake recipe. Plus, all of their products are certified Kosher, adding another layer of trust and reliability.
- Effortless Accessibility: Despite their premium quality, Bob’s Red Mill products are remarkably accessible. You won’t have to search far and wide for these fantastic ingredients, as they are widely available at most local grocery stores. This convenience means you can easily incorporate their high-quality flours and oats into your everyday baking, ensuring that your pantry is always stocked with the best for all your baking adventures.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Apple Coffee Cake
Every exceptional cake starts with a careful selection of ingredients. For this apple coffee cake, each component plays a vital role in achieving its signature moist crumb, tender apples, and irresistible streusel. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why these ingredients are key:
- Bob’s Red Mill Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These aren’t just for breakfast! Flat and flakey, old-fashioned rolled oats are absolutely perfect for our streusel topping. They don’t just add a beautiful, rustic texture and visual appeal; they also contribute a lovely chewiness and a subtle nutty flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the brown sugar and the tartness of the apples. Using a high-quality oat like Bob’s Red Mill ensures your streusel is truly exceptional.
- Flour: The foundation of any cake. I’ve rigorously tested this recipe with both Bob’s Red Mill All-Purpose Flour and their 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour, and I’m thrilled to report that both work flawlessly! This means you can easily adapt this recipe to suit different dietary needs without compromising on taste or texture. The all-purpose flour yields a classic, tender crumb, while the 1-to-1 Gluten Free blend creates an equally delightful cake that is wonderfully moist and light.
- Applesauce: This is a secret weapon for moisture and flavor. You can opt for either convenient store-bought or your own homemade unsweetened applesauce. The unsweetened variety is highly recommended as it allows you to control the overall sweetness of the cake, ensuring it’s never overly sugary. Applesauce not only adds incredible moisture, contributing to that tender crumb, but it also infuses a subtle apple essence throughout the cake, enhancing the fresh apple pieces. For a wonderfully balanced flavor, Granny Smith applesauce is my personal favorite, offering a nice hint of tartness.
- Apples: The star of the show! The beauty of this recipe is its versatility with apple varieties. Any apple designated for baking will perform wonderfully, maintaining its structure and flavor during the baking process. My top recommendations for this coffee cake are a mix of Granny Smith (for a pleasant tartness that cuts through the sweetness), Honeycrisp (for its crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor), and Gala (for its mild sweetness and firm flesh). Using a combination often yields the most complex and delicious results, offering layers of flavor and texture.
- Unsalted Butter: Essential for both the streusel and the cake batter, providing richness and tenderness. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt content of the recipe.
- Sugars (Brown and Granulated): Brown sugar in the streusel adds depth and a chewy texture, while granulated sugar in the cake batter contributes to its light, fluffy structure and sweetness.
- Eggs: Act as a binder and add richness, helping to create a tender and stable cake structure. Room temperature eggs are crucial for smooth incorporation into the batter.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents are responsible for the cake’s rise and light texture.
- Salt: A crucial flavor enhancer, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the depth of the apple and spice flavors.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic note that complements the apples beautifully.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Delicious Apple Coffee Cake
Creating this magnificent apple coffee cake is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a perfect bake every time, from the golden streusel to the tender, apple-filled crumb.
1. Preparing the Irresistible Streusel Topping
Our journey begins with the streusel, a crucial element that adds a delightful crunch and buttery sweetness to the cake. First, in a medium bowl, you’ll combine all the dry ingredients for the streusel: the hearty rolled oats, the rich brown sugar, the all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these together thoroughly to ensure an even distribution. Next, add the softened unsalted butter. It’s important for the butter to be truly softened (but not melted) so it can be easily incorporated. Using your fingertips or a fork, mix the butter into the dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form. This creates that iconic crumbly texture that will bake into a golden, crispy layer on top of your coffee cake.
2. Preparing the Apples for Peak Freshness and Flavor
Next, let’s get our apples ready! Begin by peeling and coring your chosen baking apples. While peeling is my preference for a smoother cake texture, it’s absolutely fine to leave the peels on for added fiber and a more rustic appearance—it works beautifully either way. Once peeled and cored, slice the apples into thin wedges. I find that cutting each apple into quarters first, and then each quarter into about three thin slices, yields the ideal size for even distribution and tenderness in the cake. Alternatively, you can cube the apples into small, uniform pieces if you prefer them mixed throughout the batter rather than arranged on top.
3. Mixing the Moist and Tender Cake Batter
Now, for the heart of our coffee cake: the batter. In a medium bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients for the cake: the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures that the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed, leading to a consistent rise and flavor in your cake.
In a separate, large mixing bowl, using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), begin to beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together. This “creaming” process is vital: beat them on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color. Don’t rush this step! Properly creaming the butter and sugar incorporates air into the mixture, which is crucial for achieving that wonderfully fluffy and soft texture in your finished cake. Scrape down the sides of the bowl midway to ensure everything is thoroughly combined.
Next, incorporate the eggs into the butter mixture, adding them one at a time and beating well after each addition until fully combined. This gradual addition helps maintain the emulsification of the batter. A crucial tip here is to use room temperature eggs. If you add cold eggs to the creamed butter mixture, the butter can solidify and curdle, leading to an uneven texture with large air pockets in the finished cake. Room temperature ingredients blend much more smoothly, ensuring a consistently tender crumb.
Finally, we’ll combine the dry and wet ingredients. Add half of the whisked dry ingredients into the butter and egg mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined; be careful not to overmix at this stage, as over-developing the gluten can result in a dense, tough cake. Once just combined, stir in the unsweetened applesauce and pure vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated. Finish off by adding the remaining flour mixture and mix gently until just combined. Again, avoid overmixing—a few streaks of flour are better than a tough cake.
Now it’s time to assemble your beautiful cake! Pour the luscious cake batter into a prepared 9-inch springform pan that has been lightly sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray. A springform pan makes for easy removal and a beautiful presentation. Smooth the top of the batter with a spatula.
Next, artfully arrange your sliced apple wedges on top of the batter. You can create a decorative pattern or simply scatter them evenly. If you chose to cube your apples, you can mix them directly into the batter before pouring it into the pan, ensuring apple goodness in every bite. Finally, generously spread the prepared streusel topping evenly all over the top of the cake, creating a beautiful, crumbly layer that promises a delightful crunch.
4. Baking Your Coffee Cake to Golden Perfection
With all the components assembled, your apple coffee cake is ready for its transformation in the oven. Bake the cake in your preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 50-55 minutes. Baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it. The cake is perfectly baked when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, with no wet batter attached. The streusel topping should be golden brown and fragrant, and the edges of the cake should be lightly browned and set.
Once baked, allow the cake to cool on a wire rack for at least 5-10 minutes before carefully removing the sides of the springform pan. This brief cooling period helps the cake to set and prevents it from crumbling when handled. Let it cool completely on the wire rack for the best slicing and serving experience. As mentioned earlier, this apple coffee cake is wonderfully balanced and not overly sweet, which makes it absolutely perfect to serve with a generous drizzle of warm, velvety homemade caramel sauce. The richness of the caramel beautifully complements the tender apples and the spiced cake, creating an unforgettable dessert.
Expert Tips & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Even the simplest recipes benefit from a few expert tips and answers to common questions. Here’s how to ensure your apple coffee cake is a resounding success every time:
It’s a common misconception that coffee cake contains coffee. The name actually originates from the delightful tradition of serving this type of cake alongside a cup of coffee. It’s designed to be the perfect accompaniment to your favorite brew, whether it’s for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up. These cakes are typically not overly sweet and often feature fruit, nuts, or a streusel topping, making them ideal for a morning indulgence.
For an apple coffee cake that truly shines, the key is to choose apples that hold their shape and offer a balanced flavor when baked. I highly recommend using a combination of apples to achieve a complex and exciting taste. Tart varieties like Granny Smith are excellent as they provide a crisp contrast to the cake’s sweetness. Juicier, sweeter apples like Honeycrisp or Gala add wonderful flavor and a tender texture without becoming mushy. Fuji and Braeburn are also fantastic choices. Avoid overly soft or mealy apples, as they tend to break down too much during baking.
Achieving a fluffy, moist coffee cake is all about technique and temperature control:
- Room Temperature Eggs and Butter: This is paramount! Ensure your eggs and butter are at room temperature. Cold eggs will cause the softened butter to seize and harden when added to the creamed mixture, preventing proper emulsification and leading to large air pockets or a dense cake. Room temperature ingredients blend smoothly, creating a uniform, tender batter.
- Don’t Over-Mix the Batter: Once you add the flour mixture, mix on the lowest speed until just combined. Over-mixing develops gluten, which can make your cake dense, chewy, and heavy. A few streaks of flour are perfectly acceptable; mix only until no dry spots remain.
- Proper Measuring: Always measure flour by weight (grams) for the most accurate results. If using cups, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off without packing it down.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Using unsweetened applesauce contributes moisture without adding excessive sugar, helping maintain a delicate crumb.
Whether to peel your apples is largely a matter of personal preference. I often peel the apples for a smoother, more refined cake texture, where the apple pieces melt into the crumb without any fibrous bits. However, leaving the peels on is absolutely fine! Many bakers prefer to keep them for added nutrition, fiber, and a rustic aesthetic. The peels soften considerably during baking and provide a subtle textural contrast. I’ve made this recipe both ways, and it works wonderfully regardless.
Storing Your Delicious Apple Coffee Cake
To keep your apple coffee cake fresh and delicious, proper storage is key. Once completely cooled, you can store the cake at room temperature, tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container, for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate the cake, covered, for up to 5 days. Chilling the cake can sometimes make the crumb a bit firmer, so if you prefer a softer texture, bring it back to room temperature or gently warm a slice before serving.
This cake also freezes exceptionally well, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying a slice whenever a craving strikes. Wrap individual slices or the entire cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. To serve, thaw slices overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature. You can gently warm individual slices in the microwave or oven for a “freshly baked” experience.
Apple Coffee Cake
Saved Recipe
Pin Recipe
Comment
Print Recipe
Ingredients
For streusel topping:
- 1/3 cup (30g) Bob’s Red Mill old-fashioned rolled oats Note 1
- ¼ cup (50g) packed brown sugar light or dark
- ¼ cup (30g) Bob’s Red Mill all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons (40g) unsalted butter softened
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
For coffee cake:
- 2 medium baking apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala)
- 2 cups (250g) Bob’s Red Mill all-purpose flour Note 2
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter softened
- 2/3 cup (130g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 8 oz unsweetened apple sauce (Granny Smith preferred)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Homemade caramel sauce for serving, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by spraying it thoroughly with a non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy release.
To make streusel topping:
- In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together until well mixed.
- Add the softened unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Use your fingertips or a fork to work the butter into the dry ingredients until a coarse, crumbly streusel topping forms. Set aside.
To make cake:
- Peel and core your apples, then slice them into thin wedges. For consistency, I recommend cutting each apple into quarters, then each quarter into 3 even slices. If you prefer, you can also cube the apples into small pieces to mix into the batter.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed for approximately 2 minutes, until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the room temperature eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Remember to scrape the sides of the bowl halfway through this process.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low. Add half of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Stir in the unsweetened applesauce and pure vanilla extract, mixing for about one minute until smoothly incorporated.
- Finally, add the remaining flour mixture and mix on low speed just until combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
- Pour the cake batter into your prepared 9-inch springform pan, spreading it evenly. Arrange the apple slices decoratively on top of the batter. If you cubed your apples, stir them into the batter before pouring it into the pan. Evenly scatter the prepared streusel topping over the apples and batter.
- Bake the cake for 50-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes in the pan. Then, carefully remove the sides of the springform pan and let the cake cool completely on the wire rack. Serve the coffee cake plain or with a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce, if desired.
- For storage, keep the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. This cake also freezes well for longer storage.
⭐️ Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a review and let us know how you liked it!
Video
Tips & Notes
Note 2: This coffee cake recipe has been extensively tested with both Bob’s Red Mill All-Purpose Flour and their 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour. Both varieties yield perfectly delicious results, ensuring a moist and tender crumb!
Nutrition
