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Apple Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crumb

Apple Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crumb

Moist Apple Coffee Cake loaded with tender apples and topped with a buttery cinnamon brown sugar crumb. Perfect for breakfast or dessert.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 8 generous slices
Calories: 445
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Apple Cake
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • 2 medium apples peeled, cored, and diced
  • For the Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crumb
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • ½ cup chopped pecans optional

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar for 2 to 3 minutes until light and creamy.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
  6. Gently fold the diced apples into the batter until evenly distributed.
  7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared cake pan.
  8. 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.
  9. Sprinkle the cinnamon brown sugar crumbs generously and evenly over the apple cake batter.
  10. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  11. 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.