This Apple Coffee Cake is a fluffy homemade cake filled with cinnamon apples, buttery streusel topping, and topped with a sweet glaze!

AN EASY 60-MINUTE APPLE CAKE

This Apple Coffee Cake is so delicious! Please don’t let the laundry list of ingredients scare you away from making it. It’s quite a few repeat ingredients and is really not too difficult to make. The streusel really adds to this cake recipe too. I’m lucky enough to have two apple trees in my backyard that have been keeping us rich in apples this year, so I’ve been all about the apple baked goods.

A small slice of homemade Apple Coffee Cake.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Can this be made with a cake mix?

I haven’t tested this recipe with a cake mix. Generally cake mixes are made for a 9×13-inch cake pan or (2) round pans. I suppose you could try to make this in a 9×13-inch cake pan but you’d also have to adjust the other ingredients. Since I haven’t tried it myself, I really can’t give you guidance on doing that.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, if making this ahead of time, I have a few suggestions for each different part of the cake.
Make the streusel early: The crumble topping can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. This makes assembly quicker on baking day.
Assemble ahead (without baking): You can layer the batter, apple filling, and streusel the night before, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake directly from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Glaze: Prepare the drizzle glaze while the cake cools or right before serving. Avoid glazing if freezing; add fresh glaze after thawing.

Do I need to peel the apples?

Peeling gives the cake a softer texture, but if you don’t mind a bit of chew, you can leave the skins on. Either way works, just make sure to dice evenly.

Why did my coffee cake take longer to bake?

If baked in an 8-inch pan, the Streusel Apple Cake will be taller and may need closer to 45-50 minutes. A 9-inch pan bakes faster. Always check doneness with a toothpick.

How do I keep this Apple Streusel Coffee Cake light?

Using room-temp eggs, milk, and yogurt helps the batter mix more evenly and gives a lighter texture.

How should I serve this coffee cake?

This coffee cake is excellent warm, fresh out of the oven, or slightly chilled. Pair with a cup of coffee or tea for a cozy treat.

Can I make this a Sourdough Apple Coffee Cake?

f using sourdough discard, reduce the yogurt slightly to balance moisture and enjoy a subtle tang that complements the apples.

How do I know when this cake is done?

Check doneness carefully. Insert a toothpick near the center (avoiding large apple pieces). The cake is done when it comes out mostly clean, with just a few moist crumbs.

Why is my cake dense?

Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense.

Do I need to sift the flour?

I know a lot of people like to sift the flour, I just don’t sift flour often. I just use the ole measure with a spoon and scrape off the excess flour and use a fork to mix it up or aerate it a bit.

How do I store leftover Apple Coffee Cake?

You can store at room temp or in the fridge. Store the Apple Coffee Cake slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The streusel topping stays crumbly and the cake stays moist.
For longer storage, keep any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let slices come to room temperature or warm gently in the microwave before serving.

Can you freeze Apple Coffee Cake?

This Coffee Cake freezes well. For best results, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place those pieces in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or warm in the microwave in 20-second bursts before serving.
If you plan to freeze the coffee cake, it’s best to freeze it without the glaze. Add the drizzle fresh after thawing for the best texture and appearance.

A slice of Apple Streusel Coffee Cake on a small dessert plate.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

  • apples– You can use any good baking apple like Granny Smith, Fiji, Honeycrisp apples, or Gala apples. Firm, tart apples hold up better in baked goods. I also think slightly tart apples work best. Softer apples like McIntosh or Red Delicious will turn mushy when baked.
  • granulated sugar
  • cinnamon
  • all purpose flour– use up to 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour (plus 1 cup all purpose flour) for a heartier texture.
  • light brown sugar
  • unsalted butter– No need to soften your butter. You could use salted butter as well. If you prefer, you can reduce the additional salt in the recipe.
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • vegetable oil – You can use melted butter, or neutral oil like canola.
  • eggs
  • vanilla extract
  • plain Greek yogurt– adds moisture. You can substitute with sour cream
Flour, sugar, cinnamon, light brown sugar, apples, baking powder, plain Greek yogurt, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, salt, baking soda, vanilla extract, eggs, oil, and milk.

HOW TO MAKE APPLE COFFEE CAKE:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare your 8×8 inch square pan by spraying it with a small amount of baking spray, and place a piece of parchment paper if desired. Set aside. Toss diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Set aside.

Apples in a flour, cinnamon, and sugar mixture.

In a bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until it resembles coarse crumbles. Refrigerate until ready to use. (You can use a food processor to speed up the process)

A bowl of dry ingredients and butter being mixed together to form a streusel topping.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, mix the oil and sugar until combined.

A bowl with flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and a bowl with oil and sugar.

Beat in eggs one at a time.

Eggs being added to a bowl of wet batter ingredients.

Add the vanilla and Greek yogurt. Mix until well combined. Add dry ingredients in two additions, alternating with milk, mixing until just combined (don’t overmix).

Yogurt and vanilla being added to wet ingredients and wet and dry ingredients being combined in a bowl.

Spread half of the batter evenly into the pan. Evenly scatter the apple mixture over the batter.

Batter in a lined pan and apples being added on top.

Then add half of the streusel over the apple mixture. Gently spread the remaining batter over the apples and streusel. 

Streusel topping and more batter in layers in a baking pan.

Sprinkle the remaining streusel evenly over the top. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

More streusel on top of an unbaked cake and a baked coffee cake in a pan.

Optional: Mix together the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Slowly add the milk until you reach your desired consistency. Drizzle over top and serve.

Powdered sugar and milk drizzle in a measuring cup and a glazed Apple Coffee Cake in a pan.

Let cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting. Serve warm or at room temperature.

A slice of Apple Coffee Cake being picked up with a wooden spatula.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES? 

A dessert plate with a slice of Apple Coffee Cake and icing.

Apple Filling:

  • ▢ 2 cups peeled and diced apples (any good baking apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • ▢ ¼ cup sugar
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ▢ 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour

Streusel Topping:

  • ▢ 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ▢ 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ▢ ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8×8-inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

    Note: For easier removal from the pan, line the baking dish with parchment paper as well.

  • In a bowl combine 2 cups peeled and diced apples, ¼ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour. Set aside.

    An apple, cinnamon, and flour mixture.

  • In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup all purpose flour, 1 cup light brown sugar, packed, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cut in½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed with a pastry cutter or fork until it resembles coarse crumbles. Refrigerate until ready to use.

    Note: If you have one, you can use a food processor to cut the but into the flour mixture.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups all purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside.

  • In a large mixing bowl, mix ⅓ cup vegetable oil and ¾ cup granulated sugar.

    A bowl with oil, sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

  • Beat in 2 medium eggs, one at a time.

  • Add the ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract and ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt. Mix until well combined.

    Yogurt and vanilla extract being added to the mixture.

  • Add dry ingredients in two additions, alternating with the 3 Tablespoons 2% milk, mixing until just combined (don’t over mix or this will result in a tough cake).

    Dry ingredients being added to the wet ingredients in a bowl.

  • Spread half of the batter evenly into the pan.

  • Evenly scatter the apple mixture over the batter. Then add half of the streusel over the apple mixture.

  • Gently spread the remaining batter over the apples and streusel.

  • Sprinkle the remaining streusel evenly over the top.

  • Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

    Note: Baking times can vary from oven to oven. Please go by doneness, not just by the time given.

  • Optional glaze: In a bowl, mix together ½ cup powdered sugar and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract. Slowly add 1-2 Tablespoons milk until you reach your desired consistency. Drizzle over top and serve.

  • Let cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting. Serve warm or at room temperature.

    A slice of Apple Coffee Cake being picked up with a wooden spatula.

  • Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 541kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 20g | Sodium: 193mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 56g

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.