This moist Apple Coffee Cake is topped with an irresistible cinnamon oat streusel and a simple, sweet vanilla glaze. It’s not your ordinary coffee cake recipe, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
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Why You’ll Love This Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe
- A Uniquely Delicious Topping. This isn’t your standard crumb topping! The delightfully crunchy walnut oat streusel contrasts beautifully with the moist cake crumb. (These Coffee Cake Muffins also have delicious streusel topping.)
- Worthy of a Breakfast. This apple coffee cake recipe features whole grains and a reduced amount of sugar, meaning you can take another slice (or follow with a slice of this Applesauce Cake) with a little less guilt.
- That Glaze, Though. I finish this cozy apple coffee cake with a drippy vanilla glaze (like these Blueberry Biscuits) that’s so simple to make, it should be a crime.
5 Star Review
“This was by far one of the best coffee cakes I have ever eaten.”
— J.P. —
How to Make Apple Coffee Cake
The Ingredients
- Flour. You may swap the white whole wheat flour for regular whole wheat flour if preferred. Note that the “wheat” flavor will be more pronounced. You may also omit the white whole wheat flour entirely and use only all-purpose flour.
- Apples. When selecting apples for baking, choose apples with a crisp, tart flavor and that hold their shape well once baked. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Gala, and Pink Lady are all excellent baking apples.
- Buttermilk. While some coffee cakes call for yogurt or sour cream to give the cake moisture, this recipe uses good old-fashioned buttermilk. The acid tenderizes the cake and helps it rise.
- Butter. Flavors the cake and contributes to its light structure and tender texture.
- Cinnamon. Is it even fall if you aren’t baking with cinnamon?
- Allspice + Nutmeg. Two aromatic spices inspired by apple pie.
- Egg. The egg whites make the cake fluffy and give it structure, while the yolk adds fat to soften and tenderize the coffee cake.
- Vanilla. Contributes an extra layer of flavor to the cake and sweet glaze.
- Oats. I like using oats for the streusel topping because they provide the most pleasing texture, and their flavor is a classic match with cinnamon and apples.
- Walnuts. If you don’t like walnuts, try swapping for pecans or even hazelnuts. You may also omit the nuts entirely if there is a nut allergy in your household.
The Directions
- Prepare. Line a 9-inch round springform pan with parchment paper and grease with butter or cooking spray.
- Mix. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Beat. In a separate mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla.
- Finish the Batter. Gradually add the dry ingredients and buttermilk, alternating between the two.
- Add the Apples. Fold in the apples, then transfer to the prepared baking pan.
- Top It. Make the streusel and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake the Cake. Bake at 350 degree F for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool, then unmold from the pan.
- Finish. Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake, slice, and serve. ENJOY!
What to Serve with Apple Coffee Cake
- Eggs. Balance your sweet coffee cake with a savory French Omelette or Cottage Cheese Eggs.
- Breakfast Meats. Add some protein to your breakfast with homemade Turkey Sausage or crispy Air Fryer Bacon.
- Yogurt. A Yogurt Parfait is the perfect accompaniment to a slice of apple coffee cake!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Grate Your Own Nutmeg. While it’s not essential, if you can get your hands on whole nutmeg and grate it fresh, it’s worth the extra effort. Trust me!
- Use a Different Pan if Needed. If you don’t own a springform pan, you may use a traditional 10-inch round cake pan or an 9×9 square baking pan instead. Just note that the baking time may need to be adjusted slightly depending on the type of pan that you use. Be sure to grease the pan VERY well so it doesn’t stick.
- Peel the Apples—Or Not. While I recommend peeling the apples before adding them to the batter and baking, doing so is a personal preference. Unpeeled apples will add a bit of color and additional texture to the recipe, plus extra nutrients.
Apple Coffee Cake
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
This healthy apple coffee cake is made with buttermilk, which keeps it extra moist, and topped with a cinnamon streusel crumble topping.
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Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg freshly grated if possible
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup low-fat buttermilk at room temperature
- 1 ½ cups tart apples peeled and diced, such as Granny Smith (about 2 medium)
For the Streusel Topping:
- ¾ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ⅓ cup lightly packed brown sugar light or dark
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cup roughly chopped walnuts
For the Glaze:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or cream for a richer glaze
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch round springform pan, line the bottom with parchment paper, then grease once more. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the white whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, all spice, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Add ⅓ of the dry ingredients to the bowl with the butter, then ½ of the buttermilk, stopping to combine after each addition. Repeat, adding the second ⅓ of the dry ingredients, the remaining ½ of the buttermilk, and ending with the remaining ⅓ of the dry ingredients. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to make sure everything is evenly combined. Stir in the apples. Scrape the batter into the prepared baking pan, then with the back of a rubber spatula, smooth the top.
- Next, prepare the streusel topping. In a small bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the melted butter, then stir until the mixture forms large crumbs. Stir in the nuts. Sprinkle the streusel over the coffee cake batter in the pan.
- Bake the coffee cake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Run a butter knife around the cake’s edges to loosen it, then unmold.
- Last, prepare the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the warm cake after it has been unmolded. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- TO STORE: Keep leftover apple coffee cake in a tight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- TO FREEZE: Wrap the coffee cake, unglazed, in plastic and freeze for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then glaze just before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1(of 10)Calories: 281kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 35mgPotassium: 115mgFiber: 3gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 259IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1mg
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Ready for fall baking? Try one of these other healthy apple recipes to celebrate the season.
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