This Apple Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crumb is soft, buttery, and packed with tender cinnamon-spiced apples. A thick brown sugar crumb topping gives every slice a sweet, crunchy finish that pairs perfectly with the moist cake underneath.
It’s an easy cake for fall baking, weekend breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with coffee. The combination of juicy apples, warm cinnamon, brown sugar, and buttery crumbs makes it especially cozy without being overly sweet.
Apple Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crumb
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar for 2 to 3 minutes until light and creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Gently fold the diced apples into the batter until evenly distributed.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared cake pan.
- To make the crumb topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until large, moist crumbs form. Fold in the chopped pecans if using.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon brown sugar crumbs generously and evenly over the apple cake batter.
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring it to a serving plate. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing.
Notes
- Dice the apples into small pieces so they soften completely while the cake bakes.
- Firm baking apples such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Braeburn work especially well.
- The crumb mixture should form irregular clusters rather than a smooth paste. This creates the thick, crunchy crumb topping seen on the finished cake.
Variations
Apple Walnut Coffee Cake: Replace the pecans with chopped walnuts.
Extra Cinnamon: Increase the cinnamon in the crumb topping to 2 teaspoons for a stronger cinnamon flavor.
Caramel Apple: Drizzle caramel sauce over individual slices before serving.
Apple Pear: Replace one apple with a firm pear for a slightly different fruit flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- This Apple Coffee Cake makes 8 generous slices and works beautifully for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Serve it slightly warm or at room temperature with freshly brewed coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk.
- For dessert, warm individual slices for a few seconds and serve them with vanilla ice cream or lightly whipped cream.
- The cake is also delicious on its own because the buttery cinnamon crumb and tender apples provide plenty of flavor and texture.
Tips
- Use firm apples so they stay tender without becoming mushy.
- Cut the apples into similar-sized pieces for even baking.
- Don’t overmix the batter once the flour is added.
- Make chunky crumbs rather than very fine crumbs.
- Spread the crumb topping all the way to the edges.
- Check the center of the cake before removing it from the oven.
- Allow it to cool slightly before cutting so the slices hold together.
Storage
- Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
- You can warm individual slices in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds before serving to soften the cake and bring out the cinnamon and apple flavors.
Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 50 minutes
Cooling Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings
Serves 8 people (8 generous slices).
For a brunch or dessert table where you’re serving several other dishes, you can cut the cake into 10 smaller slices instead.
Nutrition
Approximate per serving:
- Calories: 445
- Protein: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fat: 22g
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 280mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best apples for apple coffee cake?
Firm baking apples are the best choice because they soften without completely breaking down. Granny Smith gives the cake a slightly tart flavor, while Honeycrisp or Pink Lady provides more natural sweetness.
Can I make Apple Coffee Cake without pecans?
Absolutely. The pecans are optional and can simply be left out. You’ll still get a delicious cinnamon brown sugar crumb topping with plenty of texture.
Why is my crumb topping not crumbly?
The most common reason is too much butter or overmixing. Mix the ingredients only until clusters form. You want a mixture with both small crumbs and larger chunks.
Can I prepare Apple Coffee Cake ahead of time?
Yes. This cake is a great make-ahead option because it stays moist after baking. Bake it the day before, let it cool completely, and keep it tightly covered until you’re ready to serve.
Does coffee cake contain coffee?
Usually, no. The name comes from the tradition of serving this type of cake alongside coffee. This Apple Coffee Cake gets its flavor from apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla, and its buttery crumb topping.
Can I freeze Apple Coffee Cake?
Yes. Once completely cooled, wrap the whole cake or individual slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature.
