Apple Crumb Coffee Cake

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cake has the perfect balance of textures and flavors — moist cake, sweet apple chunks, and a crisp, buttery streusel topping. It’s simple to prepare, makes your kitchen smell amazing, and stays moist for days. Whether you serve it for brunch, holidays, or a casual get-together, it’s always a crowd-pleaser that feels like homemade comfort.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Unsalted butter, softened
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• Vanilla extract
• Apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and chopped

For the crumb topping:

• Brown sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Cold unsalted butter, cubed

For optional glaze:

• Powdered sugar
• Milk or cream
• Vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream until smooth.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
6. Gently fold in the chopped apples. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
7. To make the crumb topping, combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the cold butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
8. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter.
9. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Let the cake cool slightly before serving. If desired, drizzle with glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 12 servings.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Cooling time: 20 minutes
Total time: about 1 hour 25 minutes

Variations

• Caramel Apple Version: Drizzle caramel sauce over the cake before serving for an indulgent twist.
• Nutty Crumb: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumb topping for crunch.
• Maple Glaze: Use maple syrup instead of milk in the glaze for a cozy fall flavor.
• Apple Pie Spice: Replace the cinnamon and nutmeg with apple pie spice for a stronger, spiced aroma.
• Mini Cakes: Bake in muffin tins for individual apple crumb coffee cake muffins.

Storage/Reheating

Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds before serving to refresh the texture.

FAQs

What type of apples work best for this cake?

Firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji hold their shape well during baking.

Can I peel the apples or leave the skin on?

It’s best to peel them for a smoother texture, but leaving the skins on adds extra fiber and color.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, it stays moist for several days and can be made 1–2 days ahead. Store covered until ready to serve.

Can I use applesauce instead of fresh apples?

You can replace half of the chopped apples with applesauce for extra moisture, but don’t substitute all of them.

How do I keep the crumb topping from sinking?

Make sure the batter is thick and the topping is well-chilled before sprinkling it over the cake.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour substitute.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Microwave slices for about 15 seconds or warm in a 300°F oven for 5–10 minutes.

Can I add nuts or raisins?

Yes, both chopped pecans and golden raisins are delicious additions to the batter or crumb topping.

Can I make this into cupcakes or muffins?

Yes, divide the batter into muffin tins and bake for 20–25 minutes.

Can I skip the glaze?

Absolutely! The cake is flavorful on its own, but a simple glaze adds a lovely finishing touch.

Conclusion

Apple Crumb Coffee Cake is a warm, homey dessert that delivers comfort and flavor in every bite. With its tender spiced crumb, juicy apple bits, and crunchy streusel topping, it’s a treat you’ll want to bake again and again. Whether enjoyed with a cup of coffee in the morning or as a sweet ending to dinner, this cake brings the taste of fall to your table any time of year.

Apple Crumb Coffee Cake

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Apple Crumb Coffee Cake is a moist, spiced cake filled with tender apple chunks and topped with a buttery cinnamon crumb. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this cozy treat pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee and brings the comforting flavors of fall to any occasion.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Yield: 12 servings
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups peeled and chopped apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

For the crumb topping:

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

For the optional glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla and sour cream until smooth.
5. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
6. Fold in the chopped apples gently and spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
7. For the crumb topping, combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until coarse crumbs form.
8. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter.
9. Bake for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Let cool slightly before serving. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth, then drizzle over cooled cake if desired.

Notes

• Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture.
• Chill the crumb topping before baking to keep it from sinking.
• Add chopped nuts or oats to the topping for extra crunch.
• The cake stays moist for days — great for make-ahead breakfasts or brunches.
• Serve warm or at room temperature with coffee or tea.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 31g
• Sodium: 240mg
• Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 75mg