Description

This delicious Apple Coffee Cake is a moist and tender treat perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Featuring layers of cinnamon-spiced apple slices sandwiched between a buttery cake batter and topped with a sweet, crunchy streusel, this classic cake combines comforting flavors and textures that pair wonderfully with your favorite cup of coffee or tea.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Batter

2 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (50g) white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 tablespoons (140g) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup (235ml) whole milk
1 medium tart green apple, cored, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices

Cinnamon Sugar

2 tablespoons white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Streusel Topping

4 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter, cut into small cubes

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9-inch pie pan or alternatively a springform or square baking pan to prevent sticking.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
Prepare cinnamon sugar: Combine 2 tablespoons of white sugar with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a small bowl; set aside for later use on top of the apple slices.
Beat butter and sugar: Using an electric mixer, cream together the 10 tablespoons of room temperature butter with 1/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. This incorporates air for a tender crumb.
Add eggs: Beat in the 2 beaten eggs to the butter mixture until fully blended and smooth.
Alternate mixing dry and wet: Gradually add the flour mixture in three parts alternating with the whole milk, starting and ending with the flour. Beat after each addition just until combined to avoid overmixing.
Layer batter and apples: Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan, then evenly arrange the sliced apples over the batter, slightly overlapping to cover the surface.
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar: Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the apple slices to infuse spice and sweetness.
Add remaining batter: Carefully spread the remaining batter over the apples, covering them completely.
Make streusel topping: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the cake, then dot with small cubes of butter.
Bake the cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and serve: Allow the coffee cake to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature alongside coffee or tea.

Notes

Use a tart green apple like Granny Smith for the best balance of sweetness and acidity.
Room temperature ingredients help the batter to mix evenly and create a tender crumb.
Do not overmix batter once flour is added to prevent a dense cake.
Butter cubes on streusel topping create crispy, rich pockets during baking.
Leftovers can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Reheat slices gently in a microwave or oven before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/6 of cake)
Calories: 350
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 280mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0.3g
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 75mg