Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

This Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake is the perfect balance of a tender, moist crumb and a crunchy, spiced topping. It is a reliable choice for a weekend brunch or a simple afternoon treat with a hot cup of coffee.

Why This Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Works

This recipe relies on sour cream to keep the cake moist without making it dense. The addition of fresh apples provides a natural sweetness that cuts through the richness of the buttery cinnamon crumble. Because the batter is straightforward to mix, you can have this in the oven in about fifteen minutes.

Key Ingredients & Notes

• Apples: Use firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These hold their shape during baking and prevent the cake from becoming mushy.
• Sour Cream: This is essential for the texture. It adds a slight tang and ensures the cake stays soft for days.
• Brown Sugar: Using brown sugar in both the batter and the topping adds a deeper, molasses-like flavor compared to white sugar.

Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

This moist coffee cake features fresh apples and a buttery cinnamon crumble topping. It is a perfect treat for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Rest 14 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Ingredients

  

Cake Batter

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 medium apples peeled and chopped

Cinnamon Topping

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
• Add the vanilla, eggs, and sour cream to the butter mixture, whisking until the batter is well combined.
• Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until just incorporated, then gently fold in the chopped apples.
• Spread the batter evenly into your prepared baking dish.
• In a separate small bowl, combine the topping flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then stir in the melted butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
• Sprinkle the topping evenly over the surface of the cake batter.
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
• Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Keyword Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Tima’s Tips

• Use a firm, tart apple variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to ensure the fruit holds its shape and provides a nice contrast to the sweet cake.
• Make sure your butter is truly softened before mixing the batter to avoid lumps.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It is also excellent on its own as a simple breakfast or snack.

Variations

• Add a half-cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the topping for extra crunch.
• Drizzle a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and a splash of milk over the cooled cake.
• Stir a pinch of ground nutmeg into the topping for a warmer spice profile.

Storage

This cake stays moist for several days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze individual slices for up to two months.

Common Questions I Get

If you make this, let me know how it turned out in the comments below — I'd love to hear from you.