Apple Streusel Coffee Cake

Introduction

Apple Streusel Coffee Cake is a moist, tender cake layered with juicy apples and topped with a buttery, cinnamon-spiced streusel crumble. It’s the kind of comforting bake that makes your kitchen smell heavenly, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with a cup of coffee or tea. The soft cake pairs beautifully with the slightly crisp, crumbly topping, and the apples add just the right touch of freshness and natural sweetness.

This cake isn’t just delicious — it’s versatile. Serve it warm from the oven, at room temperature, or slightly chilled. It’s a crowd-pleasing bake for family gatherings, holidays, or whenever you’re craving a cozy homemade dessert.

❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it combines the best of two worlds: the tenderness of a classic coffee cake with the sweet crunch of an apple crisp. The streusel topping is delightfully buttery and crisp, while the apples inside make the cake moist and flavorful without being overly sweet.

It’s also incredibly forgiving and customizable — you can use different apple varieties, add nuts, or even drizzle glaze over the top. And the best part? It’s easy to make, yet feels special enough to serve guests. To me, this cake is comfort food at its finest.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Moist, tender cake with a rich streusel topping.
• Perfect anytime bake — breakfast, dessert, or afternoon snack.
• Cozy apple-cinnamon flavor that feels like a hug in cake form.
• Crowd-pleaser for family, friends, or potlucks.
• Easy but impressive — no complicated steps required.

Recipe Details

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Servings: 8–10 slices
• Calories: ~320–350 per serving (without glaze)
• Cuisine: American
• Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced

For the Streusel Topping:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Optional Glaze:

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients for the cake.
2. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla.
3. Combine with sour cream and dry mix.
4. Fold in apples and spread batter in pan.
5. Mix streusel topping and sprinkle over batter.
6. Bake until golden, then glaze if desired.

Step-by-Step Preparation

Step 1: Preheat Oven

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square baking pan.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
4. Mix in sour cream until smooth.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring just until combined.
6. Fold in diced apples gently.

Step 3: Prepare the Streusel

• In a small bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
• Cut in cold butter with a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly.

Step 4: Assemble

• Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
• Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over the batter.

Step 5: Bake

• Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool slightly before slicing.

Step 6: Glaze (Optional)

• Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
• Drizzle over cooled cake for extra sweetness.

How to Serve

• Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Pair with hot coffee, tea, or spiced cider.
• Add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Use tart apples (like Granny Smith) for balance, or sweet ones (like Honeycrisp) for extra richness.
• Don’t overmix the batter; it keeps the cake tender.
• Chill streusel before adding for a crunchier topping.
• Line pan with parchment for easier removal.

Variations

• Nutty Streusel: Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to topping.
• Caramel Drizzle: Replace glaze with warm caramel sauce.
• Apple-Pear Combo: Use half apples and half pears.
• Mini Coffee Cakes: Bake in muffin tins for individual servings.

Freezing & Storage

• Storage: Keep covered at room temperature for 2 days, or refrigerate up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Wrap cooled cake (without glaze) tightly in plastic and foil; freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently before serving.
• Glaze: Add glaze after thawing for best results.

Special Equipment Needed

• 9-inch round or square baking pan
• Mixing bowls (medium and large)
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Pastry cutter or fork (for streusel)

Conclusion

Apple Streusel Coffee Cake is the perfect blend of comfort and flavor — moist apple-studded cake topped with a buttery cinnamon crumble. Whether you’re enjoying it with your morning coffee, serving it at brunch, or treating yourself after dinner, this cake never disappoints. Simple to make yet full of bakery-quality taste, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.