This apple coffee cake with cinnamon streusel and cream cheese glaze – is a delicious blend of tender apples, warm spices, and buttery crumb topping. Perfect for breakfast or a treat, with an optional sweet cinnamon glaze for extra indulgence.
You'll also love my lemon drizzle cake, butter pecan cake and this pear cake with cinnamon sugar.
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⭐️ Why this recipe works
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The combination of tart apples and sweet streusel topping creates a balanced flavor, making this cake irresistible.
- Moist and Tender Crumb: Adding sour cream to the batter ensures a moist texture without making the cake heavy.
- Easy Streusel Topping: A simple streusel made with flour, butter, and cinnamon adds an incredible crunchy texture and sweetness.
- Customizable with Different Apples: You can use different types of apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji) based on your preference for tartness or sweetness.
- Quick Optional Glaze: The cream cheese cinnamon glaze takes this cake to the next level with a creamy, tangy finish that complements the sweet topping.
🧾 Ingredient notes
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure to the cake.
- Baking powder & baking soda: Help the cake rise and stay fluffy.
- Ground cinnamon & nutmeg: Add warmth and depth to the flavor.
- Butter: Gives the cake richness and a tender crumb. *I usually use salted butter without issues, but you can opt for unsalted.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a soft texture. *Brown sugar is not recommended as a substitute here. It will make the cake too moist and will create a more dense and heavy cake.
- Eggs: Large eggs at room temperature bind the ingredients and add moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds aromatic flavor to both the cake and glaze.
- Sour cream: Keeps the cake moist and tender. You can use full-fat Greek yogurt instead.
- Apples: Provide natural sweetness and texture variation. I recommend a variety like Jazz, Pink Lady or Gala for their sharp but still sweet flavor.
- Brown sugar: Sweetens and adds caramel-like flavor to the streusel topping.
- Melted butter: Helps bind the streusel topping ingredients for a crumbly texture.
- Cream cheese (optional glaze): Adds creaminess and a tangy contrast to the sweet cake.
For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
👩🏻🍳 Here's how to make it
Apple coffee cake recipe step-by-step
- Preheat the oven (fan) to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x9-inch pan and line it with parchment paper.
- Mix the dry ingredients in a medium bowl: whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Cream the butter and sugar in a separate large bowl until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients by alternating with sour cream, starting and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. *Overmixing the batter will result in a cake that is dense and heavy rather than light and fluffy.
- Fold in the diced apples gently, ensuring they are evenly distributed in the thick batter.
- Assemble the cake by spreading the batter evenly into the prepared pan, and sprinkling the streusel evenly over the top.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and serve the cake after allowing it to sit in the pan for 10 minutes, remove the cake to a wire rack to continue cooling. While the cake is still slightly warm, drizzle the glaze over the top and let it drizzle down the sides.
- Optional: Prepare the cream cheese glaze by whisking softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and enough milk to reach a drizzling consistency, about 2-3 tablespoons.
Making the streusel topping
- Prepare the streusel topping by mixing flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl, then stir in the melted butter until crumbs form.
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
Drawing from a decade in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, here are my top tips for recipe success.
- Prepping Apples: For the best results, peel and dice the apples just before folding them into the batter to prevent browning.
- Streusel Consistency: The key to perfect streusel is using melted butter instead of cold butter—it creates a crumbly but cohesive topping.
- Preventing Sinking Apples: There is no need to toss the diced apple in any flour. This batter is dense enough to keep the apples distributed evenly.
📖 Substitutions and variations
- Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix.
- No Sour Cream? Substitute with Greek yogurt or buttermilk for similar moisture and tang.
- Additions: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter or streusel topping for extra texture and flavor.
🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers
- Fridge: Store any leftover apple coffee cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The cake remains moist thanks to the apples and sour cream.
- Freezer: You can freeze the cake for up to 3 months by wrapping individual slices in plastic wrap and storing them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Reheat: To reheat, simply microwave slices for 20-30 seconds or warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-10 minutes to restore freshness and texture.
❓Recipe FAQ's
How do I prevent the streusel from sinking?
Make sure the streusel topping is applied evenly across the batter, and do not press it into the cake—this helps it stay on top.
Can I add spices other than cinnamon and nutmeg?
Yes, feel free to add a pinch of allspice, ginger, or cardamom for a more complex spice flavor. Just be mindful of the quantities to avoid overpowering the cake.
Can I skip the streusel topping?
Yes, you can leave off the streusel for a simpler coffee cake, or replace it with a light dusting of powdered sugar after the cake has cooled.
Can I make mini apple coffee cakes instead of one large cake?
Yes, you can use a muffin tin to make individual portions. Reduce the baking time to about 18-22 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
What should I do if the top of the cake browns too quickly?
If the top is browning faster than the inside is cooking, loosely cover the cake with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.
Looking for more easy cake recipes? Try these:
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The Best Apple Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel Topping
Apple Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel and Cream Cheese Glaze – a delicious blend of tender apples, warm spices, and buttery crumb topping. Perfect for breakfast or a treat, with an optional sweet cinnamon glaze for extra indulgence.
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Servings: 9 slices
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups peeled and finely diced apples, about 2 medium apples
For the Cinnamon Streusel Crumb Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Optional Cream Cheese Cinnamon Glaze:
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2-3 tablespoons milk, or more to reach desired consistency
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
Prepare the Cake Batter:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in the diced apples. The batter will be thick.
Make the Cinnamon Streusel Crumb Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Assemble the Cake:
- Spread the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon streusel crumb topping evenly over the batter.
Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The top should be golden brown.
Prepare the Optional Cream Cheese Cinnamon Glaze:
- While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze by whisking together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Gradually add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the glaze reaches a thin, drizzling consistency.
Finish and Serve:
- Once the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Drizzle the cream cheese cinnamon glaze over the slightly warm cake for the best presentation.
Notes
- Apple Varieties: Jazz, Pink Lady, Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples work well in this recipe. They hold their shape and add a nice tart-sweet flavor.
- Storage: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. The glaze may thicken when refrigerated, so let the cake sit at room temperature before serving if needed.
- Make-Ahead Tip: The streusel topping can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. This can save you time when making the cake.
- Pan Size: If you prefer a thicker cake, you can use an 8x8-inch square pan. Adjust the baking time accordingly, adding 5-10 minutes as needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 451kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 236mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 708IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 2mg
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Meet the Chef!
Hi, I'm Debs, a Cordon Bleu-trained chef and recipe developer. I help you get incredible dinners on the table fast with fool-proof recipes, step-by-step instructions, and tips and tricks I've learned over a 10-year career in professional kitchens.
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