Apple coffee cake is one of those cakes I like baking when I want something that feels a little like apple pie but much easier to make. It has a soft brown sugar cake with apple pieces mixed right into the batter, then a layer of cinnamon apples, and a crumb topping on top. Every layer adds something different so the cake ends up soft, a little jammy in the middle, and slightly crisp on top.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This apple coffee cake is great because it has a lot going on in every bite. The cake base is soft and full of apple flavor thanks to the apple sauce and fresh apple pieces. The cinnamon apple layer bakes into a sweet center that almost tastes like apple pie filling. Then the crumble topping adds a little crunch that balances the soft cake. Another reason I like this apple coffee cake is that it’s perfect for fall baking but simple enough to make anytime.

What You Will Need

You will need all-purpose flour, which is used in both the cake batter and the crumble topping to give structure.

Light brown sugar adds sweetness and gives the cake a deeper flavor that pairs really well with apples. Unsalted butter is used in both the crumble topping and the cake. It adds richness and helps create that crumbly topping texture.

Ground cinnamon gives the cake its warm spice flavor and is used in the crumble and the apple layer. For the cake batter you’ll also need baking powder and baking soda, which help the cake rise while baking. A little salt balances the sweetness.

Eggs help hold the batter together and give the cake structure. Apple sauce adds moisture and apple flavor, while sour cream helps keep the cake soft and tender. Vanilla extract adds extra flavor to the batter.

The star ingredient is fresh apples, which are diced and used both inside the cake and as a cinnamon apple layer on top.

For the optional icing you will use powdered sugar and milk or cream to make a simple glaze that can be drizzled over the cake once it cools slightly.

Ingredients

Crumble Topping

• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• ¾ cup (150g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Apple Cake

• ¾ cup (150g) light brown sugar, packed
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ¼ cup (65g) unsweetened apple sauce
• ½ cup (120g) full fat sour cream, room temperature
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

Apple Layer

• 2 cups (220g) finely diced apples, divided
• 2 tbsp light brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Icing (Optional)

• ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
• 2–3 teaspoons milk or cream

How to Make Apple Coffee Cake

Start by heating your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

To make the crumble topping, place the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a bowl. Stir until the mixture comes together into a crumbly texture. Set it aside.

Peel and dice the apples. You will use 1 cup in the cake batter and 1 cup for the apple layer later.

In a bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a large bowl beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg, then add the apple sauce, sour cream, and vanilla extract and stir until smooth.

Add the dry ingredients and mix until the batter is almost combined. Fold in 1 cup of the diced apples and gently mix until everything is evenly distributed.

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.

In a small bowl combine the remaining apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cake batter.

Next, sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apple layer. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.

Let the cake cool in the pan for about 45 minutes before removing it.

Icing

In a bowl mix the powdered sugar and milk or cream until smooth and pourable. Add a little more milk if needed.

Drizzle the icing over the slightly warm cake before serving.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

More Coffee Cake Recipes

• Sour Cream Coffee Cake 
• Cinnamon Coffee Cake
•  Blueberry Coffee Cake
• Pumpkin Coffee Cake