Apple Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping and Vanilla Glaze Recipe

If you’re anything like me and love a sweet, tender treat with just the right amount of cozy spice, then you’re going to adore this Apple Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping and Vanilla Glaze Recipe. It’s one of those comforting, irresistible cakes that fills your kitchen with the best autumn vibes and tastes like a warm hug with every bite. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to for breakfast, brunch, or a lovely afternoon pick-me-up alongside your coffee or tea.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Most of the ingredients here are pantry staples with a few fresh touches. The blend of whole wheat and all-purpose flours keeps this cake wholesome yet tender. And those apples? They are the star, adding moisture and a lovely tartness that offsets the sweetness perfectly.

• White whole wheat flour: I really like this flour because it adds fiber and nutty flavor without making the cake too dense.
• All-purpose flour: Helps balance the texture so the cake lightens up and isn’t heavy.
• Ground cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg: Freshly grated nutmeg makes a noticeable difference here—it’s a trick I picked up to boost flavor immensely.
• Baking soda and kosher salt: For proper rising and flavor enhancement.
• Unsalted butter: Softened butter is important for creaming; I recommend letting it sit out for about 30 minutes before mixing.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness while helping the cake achieve a light crumb.
• Egg: At room temperature, it binds everything together beautifully.
• Vanilla extract: Always choose pure vanilla—fake extracts just don’t give that depth of flavor.
• Low-fat buttermilk: I always warm it up a little in the microwave to bring to room temp; it keeps the batter smooth and helps the cake stay tender and moist.
• Tart apples (Granny Smith recommended): They hold their shape nicely and cut the sweetness with tang.
• Old fashioned rolled oats: For the perfect chewy, crunchy streusel topping.
• Brown sugar: Light or dark works great, but I like dark for extra molasses notes.
• Walnuts: Toast lightly before chopping for a richer nutty flavor—this step really elevates the streusel.
• Powdered sugar and milk or cream: For the simple, luscious vanilla glaze.

Variations

I love how versatile this Apple Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping and Vanilla Glaze Recipe is—you can easily make it your own with just a few tweaks. I’ve tried swapping out nuts, changing the glaze, and experimenting with different fruits, and it always works out great.

• Nut-Free Version: I’ve made it without walnuts for my niece, just adding extra oats for crunch—everyone still loved it!
• Spice It Up: Sometimes I add a little ground ginger or cardamom to the batter for a warm twist.
• Seasonal Fruit Swap: Pears or peaches work well if you’re craving something different but want to keep the same comforting feel.
• Gluten-Free Adjustment: I substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, and it’s surprisingly just as moist and tender.

How to Make Apple Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping and Vanilla Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Pan Ready and Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F—it’s essential to get the oven hot enough so your cake bakes evenly. Then, grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper before giving it another grease. This double prep makes the unmolding so smooth, which I always appreciate because no one likes a stuck cake!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together your flours, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, allspice, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. I like to do this early so all those wonderful spices get evenly distributed—no pockets of flavor jumping out unexpectedly. Plus, it helps keep the texture perfectly consistent.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar, Then Add Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until you see it turn light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer and really sets the stage for a tender crumb. Then, beat in the egg and vanilla until fully incorporated.

Step 4: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk

This step is where I learned a trick that truly makes a difference: add a third of your dry mixture, then half your buttermilk, mix gently, and repeat—dry, wet, dry. This slow build ensures the batter stays light and prevents overmixing, which can make your cake tough. Once everything is combined, stir in the diced apples gently but thoroughly.

Step 5: Prepare the Streusel Topping

Mix the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl, then pour in melted butter and stir until you get those tasty large crumbs. Toss in your chopped walnuts and mix just a bit more. This topping is the best part—it bakes down to crunchy, golden perfection.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Pour your batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and sprinkle on the streusel evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool for 20 minutes in the pan before gently running a knife around the edges to unmold. This waiting period makes sure your coffee cake holds its shape beautifully.

Step 7: Drizzle the Vanilla Glaze

Whisk together powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until silky smooth. Drizzle over the warm cake—you’ll notice the glaze softens slightly and pools in all the little crevices, making it irresistibly sweet. I love eating it warm, but it’s equally good at room temperature.

How to Serve Apple Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping and Vanilla Glaze Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with just a light dusting of powdered sugar on top if I’m serving this at brunch. But sometimes, I add thinly sliced fresh apples or a sprinkle of extra chopped walnuts for a pretty rustic look. It’s all about those little touches that make your presentation feel special.

Side Dishes

Pair this coffee cake with a rich cup of coffee or a creamy latte for the perfect combo. For a brunch spread, I often serve it alongside fresh fruit salad, Greek yogurt with honey, or scrambled eggs for a nice balance of sweet and savory.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered this apple coffee cake in a trifle bowl with whipped cream and cinnamon-spiced apple slices, turning it into an instant crowd-pleasing dessert. You can also slice into squares and serve with small ramekins of apple butter or homemade maple syrup on the side for dipping.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover coffee cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. It stays moist and tender, and I make sure to keep it away from direct sunlight or heat sources to avoid drying out.

Freezing

If I have extra, I slice the cake into portions and freeze them individually wrapped in parchment and foil. When I want a quick treat, I unwrap a piece and thaw it at room temperature for a couple of hours or overnight in the fridge—sometimes I even toast it lightly for that freshly-baked feel.

Reheating

Leftover slices warm up beautifully in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or popped in a toaster oven for a couple of minutes. This revives the cake’s soft texture and crisps the streusel just enough, making it taste almost fresh-baked again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Apple Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping and Vanilla Glaze Recipe has genuinely become one of my favorite baking adventures. It’s cozy, approachable, and tastes like it was made with a lot of love (because it was!). Whether you’re enjoying it with a quiet cup of coffee or sharing it with friends, it feels like the perfect little slice of comfort. I really hope you give it a try—you’ll enjoy every bite as much as I do, and it might even become your new favorite way to make mornings special.

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