Apple Pear Coffee Cake

Apple Pear Coffee Cake is a reliable choice for those mornings when you want something warm and homemade without spending hours in the kitchen.

It balances the sweetness of fresh fruit with a crunchy, spiced topping that holds up perfectly alongside a cup of coffee or tea.

Why This Apple Pear Coffee Cake Works

This recipe relies on sour cream to keep the crumb moist while the fruit adds a natural, fresh sweetness. The crumble topping provides a necessary texture contrast, making it substantial enough for a weekend brunch or a simple afternoon dessert. Because it uses standard pantry staples and fresh fruit, it is a straightforward bake that delivers consistent results every time.

Key Ingredients & Notes

• Fruit: Use firm apples and pears so they hold their shape during the bake.
• Sour Cream: This is essential for a tender, moist cake structure.
• Butter: Ensure your butter for the batter is soft, but keep the butter for the topping cold to get those distinct, crunchy crumbs.

Apple Pear Coffee Cake

Apple Pear Coffee Cake

This moist fruit-filled coffee cake features fresh apples and pears topped with a crunchy spiced pecan crumble. It is the perfect easy treat for breakfast or dessert.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Rest 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Ingredients

  

Cake Batter

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated 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
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 apple peeled and chopped
• 1 pear peeled and chopped

Topping

• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cubed
• 1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until 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 apple and pear.
  
• Spread the batter evenly into your prepared baking dish.
• In a separate small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and cubed butter, rubbing the mixture with your fingers until it forms coarse crumbs.
  
• Stir half of the pecans into the topping mixture, then sprinkle the entire topping over the cake batter and scatter the remaining pecans on top.
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing to ensure clean pieces.

Keyword Apple Pear Coffee Cake

Tima’s Tips

• Use room temperature eggs and sour cream to help the batter emulsify and create a lighter crumb.
• Toast your pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant to enhance their flavor before adding them to the topping.

Serving Suggestions

This cake is best served slightly warm. It pairs perfectly with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream or a side of Greek yogurt.

Variations

• Add a pinch of ground nutmeg to the topping for extra warmth.
• Swap the pecans for walnuts if you prefer a slightly earthier crunch.
• Serve with a light dusting of powdered sugar once the cake has fully cooled.

Storage

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to five days.

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.