Breakfast Deserts

Apple Streusel Coffee Cake

Name: Apple Streusel Coffee Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp baking soda; ½ tsp salt; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ½ cup; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup sour cream; 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped; ¾ cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup brown sugar; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ½ cup

Servings: 10 Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Difficulty: Beginner

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Introduction

Apple Streusel Coffee Cake is the ultimate comfort-bake—a moist, tender cake filled with juicy apples and topped with a buttery, cinnamon-streusel crumble. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon treat with coffee or tea, this cake strikes the perfect balance between cozy flavors and satisfying textures.

Unlike heavier frosted cakes, a coffee cake is all about its crumb topping. The sweet, spiced streusel adds a delightful crunch, while the apples inside keep the cake moist and fragrant. Every bite tastes like fall, but it’s so delicious you’ll want to bake it all year round.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it feels like a hug in cake form. The warm cinnamon aroma while it bakes fills the kitchen with a sense of nostalgia. The apples add natural sweetness and moisture, making the cake soft and tender. And that streusel topping? Buttery, crumbly perfection that turns a simple cake into something unforgettable.

It’s also versatile—you can serve it for breakfast, at a holiday brunch, or even as dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I especially love that it’s make-ahead friendly, so I can bake it the night before and wake up to a delicious, ready-to-enjoy treat.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

Moist & flavorful – apples ensure the cake never feels dry.
Crunchy topping – the streusel adds the perfect sweet texture.
Great anytime – works as breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Crowd-pleaser – everyone loves coffee cake, especially with apples.
Make-ahead friendly – stays moist for days and freezes well.

Recipe Info

Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 10–12
Calories (per slice): ~320 kcal
Cuisine: American
Course: Breakfast / Brunch / Dessert

Ingredients

For the Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped

For the Streusel Topping:

¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Quick Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan or round springform pan.
Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Beat butter and sugar, then add eggs, vanilla, and sour cream. Stir in dry ingredients.
Fold in chopped apples. Spread batter into pan.
Make streusel: mix flour, sugars, cinnamon, and cut in butter until crumbly.
Sprinkle streusel evenly over batter.
Bake 40–45 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
Mix in sour cream until smooth.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing just until combined.
Gently fold in chopped apples.

Step 3: Make the Streusel Topping

In a bowl, combine flour, sugars, and cinnamon.
Add cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter (or fingers) to form a crumbly mixture.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Spread cake batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Sprinkle streusel evenly on top.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Let cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

How to Serve

Serve warm or at room temperature.
Perfect with coffee, tea, or warm cider.
For dessert, serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Additional Tips

Use tart apples (like Granny Smith) for balance, or sweet apples (like Honeycrisp) for extra sweetness.
Don’t overmix batter—this keeps the cake tender.
Double the streusel if you love an extra crunchy topping.
For a richer flavor, replace some sugar with brown sugar in the cake batter.

Variations

Apple-Cinnamon Swirl: Add a layer of cinnamon-sugar between two layers of batter.
Apple-Nut Coffee Cake: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel.
Apple-Caramel Coffee Cake: Drizzle caramel sauce over warm cake before serving.
Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free flour blend.

Freezing & Storage

Storage: Keep covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate up to 5 days.
Freezing: Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Special Equipment Needed

9×13-inch baking pan or springform pan
Mixing bowls
Electric mixer (hand or stand)
Pastry cutter (for streusel)

Conclusion

Apple Streusel Coffee Cake is a cozy, crowd-pleasing bake that brings together tender apples, a moist cinnamon cake, and a buttery streusel topping. It’s easy to prepare, versatile for any occasion, and guaranteed to be loved by everyone at the table. Whether for brunch, dessert, or a midday snack, this cake delivers comfort and flavor in every slice.

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