Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake: Easy Crumb Topping Recipe

The scent of cinnamon and apples baking together, that buttery crumb topping turning golden brown, the tender cake studded with fruit—apple cinnamon coffee cake announces that today is special. For generations, this breakfast treat signaled company was coming or the family deserved something wonderful with their morning coffee. Before bakeries on every corner, a coffee cake cooling on the counter meant someone took time to show they cared. The combination of moist, spiced cake and sweet crumb topping creates the kind of comfort that brings everyone to the kitchen before you even call them.

Recipe Quick Stats

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup whole milk
• 2 medium apples, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)

For the Crumb Topping:

• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe

Preparing the Pan and Dry Ingredients

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan generously with butter or cooking spray, then dust lightly with flour. Tap out excess flour. This prevents sticking and ensures clean removal. You can also line the pan with parchment paper for easiest release.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside. Whisking aerates the flour and distributes the leavening evenly, preventing pockets of baking powder in the finished cake.

Making the Cake Batter

Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process incorporates air that helps the cake rise and creates tender texture. Scrape down the bowl sides occasionally.

Step 4: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. The mixture should look smooth and creamy, not curdled. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 5: With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk in two additions. Begin and end with flour: add one-third of the flour mixture, mix briefly, add half the milk, mix, add another third of flour, the remaining milk, then the final third of flour. Mix just until combined after each addition—overmixing creates tough cake. The batter should be thick and smooth.

Step 6: Fold in the diced apples using a rubber spatula. Stir gently until apples are evenly distributed throughout the batter. The apples will seem like a lot, but they release moisture as they bake, creating wonderful pockets of tender fruit.

Step 7: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the spatula. The thick batter won’t self-level, so spread it into the corners and create an even surface.

Making the Crumb Topping

Step 8: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until well combined. The cinnamon should be evenly distributed with no streaks.

Step 9: Add the cold butter pieces. Using a pastry blender, two forks, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining. Cold butter is essential—it creates crumbs instead of melting into a paste. If the butter softens too much, refrigerate the bowl for 5 minutes.

Step 10: If using nuts, stir them in now so they’re incorporated throughout the topping.

Topping and Baking

Step 11: Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter, covering the entire surface. Don’t press it down—it should sit loosely on top. During baking, it will sink slightly and form a delicious crunchy layer.

Step 12: Bake for 45-50 minutes until the cake is golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. The cake should spring back lightly when touched. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.

Step 13: Cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before cutting. The cake needs time to set up. Serve warm or at room temperature, cut into squares.

What Is Coffee Cake?

Coffee cake isn’t cake flavored with coffee—it’s cake served with coffee, traditionally at breakfast or brunch. This type of cake is typically less sweet than dessert cakes, often features fruit or nuts, and usually has a streusel or crumb topping. Coffee cakes are meant to be enjoyed morning through afternoon, providing something sweet but not overly rich to accompany hot beverages. The texture is tender and moist, designed for easy cutting and eating with a fork while holding a coffee cup in the other hand.

Why This Is Easy Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

This recipe requires no special techniques or equipment beyond a mixing bowl and pan. The straightforward mixing method—cream butter and sugar, add eggs, alternate dry and wet ingredients—is foolproof for beginners. No yeast means no rising time or complicated timing. The crumb topping comes together in minutes with simple cutting-in of butter. Fresh apples provide flavor without requiring cooking or special preparation. From start to finish, active work time is only about 20 minutes. Even first-time bakers succeed with this forgiving recipe.

What Apples Are Best for Coffee Cake?

Choose apples that hold their shape when baked rather than turning to mush. Granny Smith apples provide pleasant tartness that balances the sweet cake and topping. Honeycrisp offers sweet-tart flavor and stays firm. Braeburn holds up well and adds complexity. Gala works if you prefer sweeter flavor. Avoid Red Delicious or McIntosh—they become too soft and watery during baking. For best results, use a mix of two varieties for depth of flavor. Dice apples into ½-inch pieces so they cook through without leaving raw centers.

Simple Recipe Tips

1: Bring ingredients to room temperature before starting. Cold eggs and butter don’t cream properly, creating dense texture. Set butter and eggs out 30-60 minutes before baking.

2: Don’t overmix the batter after adding flour. Mix just until you can’t see dry flour streaks. Overmixing develops gluten, creating tough, chewy cake instead of tender crumb.

3: For extra-moist cake, toss the diced apples with 1 teaspoon cinnamon before folding them into batter. This distributes cinnamon flavor throughout while coating the apples.

Mistake to Avoid: Don’t cut into the cake too soon. Warm cake is fragile and will crumble. Wait at least 20 minutes for it to set up properly.

How Do You Keep Coffee Cake Moist?

Proper storage is key to maintaining moisture. Store completely cooled cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. The apples in this recipe naturally add moisture that keeps it fresher longer than plain cakes. Don’t refrigerate unless you must—cold temperatures dry out cake. If the cake does dry slightly, warm individual pieces in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to refresh. The original recipe’s balance of fat, sugar, and fruit ensures good moisture retention for several days.

Can Apple Coffee Cake Be Frozen?

Yes, this coffee cake freezes excellently for up to 3 months. Cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze the whole cake or pre-cut portions for convenience. To thaw, unwrap and leave at room temperature for 2-3 hours, or thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat thawed cake in a 300°F oven for 10-12 minutes wrapped in foil to restore freshness and warmth. The texture remains remarkably good after freezing—you’d hardly know it wasn’t fresh.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Successfully

Success starts with proper measuring—spoon flour into measuring cups and level off rather than scooping directly from the bag, which compacts it and adds too much. Cream the butter and sugar thoroughly for light texture. Alternate adding dry and wet ingredients to prevent overmixing. Distribute apples evenly so every piece has fruit. Make sure the crumb topping has visible butter chunks for best texture. Test for doneness with a toothpick—it should have moist crumbs but no wet batter. Cool sufficiently before cutting to prevent crumbling.

Apple Coffee Cake With Streusel Variations

Classic Streusel: Use the recipe as written for traditional crumb topping that balances buttery richness with cinnamon spice.

Extra-Cinnamon: Double the cinnamon in the topping to 2 teaspoons for more pronounced spice flavor.

Nut-Free: Simply omit the nuts—the topping works perfectly without them for those with allergies or preferences.

Glaze Addition: Drizzle cooled cake with simple glaze (1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 2 tablespoons milk) for bakery-style presentation.

Caramel Swirl: Drizzle 3 tablespoons caramel sauce over the batter before adding crumb topping for extra indulgence.

Perfect Pairings

This coffee cake shines at breakfast or brunch alongside hot coffee, tea, or fresh orange juice. Serve it as part of a complete breakfast spread with our eggs in a nest recipe and crispy bacon. It’s perfect for holiday mornings or weekend gatherings. For fall brunches, pair with potato soup for a comforting sweet-and-savory combination. Find more morning favorites in our breakfast favorites collection. This cake also works as simple dessert after hearty dinners like our mom’s classic pot roast.

Serving Suggestions

Serve coffee cake warm or at room temperature cut into generous squares. The cake looks beautiful presented on a simple platter or cake stand dusted lightly with powdered sugar. For special occasions, add a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cake is sturdy enough to hold up on buffet tables for brunches or potlucks. Individual plates work for sit-down breakfasts. Wrap a few pieces in parchment paper tied with twine for charming hostess gifts or neighbor treats.

Storage and Leftover Advice

Store completely cooled coffee cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days—it stays remarkably moist. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days. The cake texture firms slightly when cold but softens when brought to room temperature. To serve refrigerated cake, let it sit out for 30 minutes or warm briefly. For reheating, wrap in foil and heat at 300°F for 10 minutes, or microwave individual pieces for 15-20 seconds. The apple pieces keep the cake moist even after several days.

Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake for Fall

This cake embodies autumn with its warm spices and fresh apples. It’s perfect for September through November when apples are at peak season. The aroma of cinnamon and baking apples creates that cozy fall feeling that brings families together. Serve it on chilly mornings when you need something warm and comforting with your coffee. It’s ideal for Thanksgiving morning breakfast or autumn brunch gatherings. The combination of apples and cinnamon celebrates the season’s flavors without being overly pumpkin-focused, offering variety to fall baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use whole wheat flour?
Substitute up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for heartier texture and nutty flavor. Using all whole wheat makes the cake too dense.

2. My topping sank into the batter. What happened?
The batter was too thin (possibly too much milk) or the topping butter wasn’t cold enough. Next time, ensure proper measurements and keep topping butter very cold.

3. Can I use frozen apples?
Fresh apples work best, but thawed frozen apples are acceptable. Drain excess liquid and pat dry before folding into batter. The texture won’t be quite as firm.

4. Do I have to peel the apples?
Peeling creates better texture—skins can be tough and chewy in baked goods. If you prefer keeping peels for nutrition, dice very finely.

5. Can I make this in a different pan size?
An 8×8-inch pan works but will be thicker—add 5-10 minutes baking time. A 9×13-inch pan makes thinner cake—reduce baking time by 10 minutes.

6. Why is my cake dry?
Overbaking is the most common cause. Start checking at 45 minutes. Also ensure you measured flour correctly—too much flour creates dry texture.

7. Can I make this without a mixer?
Yes! Use a wooden spoon and extra elbow grease to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly. It takes longer but works fine.

A Note from the Author

Apple cinnamon coffee cake represents the kind of baking that makes houses feel like homes. The aroma alone creates memories that last for years. This recipe connects us to morning rituals and Sunday breakfasts when families gathered without rushing, when something homemade on the table meant someone cared enough to wake early and bake. Every slice carries that warmth and intention. For more recipes that create cozy mornings and bring families together, visit our breakfast favorites collection and subscribe to our Vintage Life of USA YouTube channel.

Conclusion

This apple cinnamon coffee cake proves that some of the best baking is also the simplest. With basic ingredients and straightforward technique, you can create something that fills your home with incredible aroma and brings people together over coffee cups and conversation. The moist cake studded with tender apples and topped with buttery cinnamon crumbs delivers comfort in every bite. Whether you’re hosting brunch, celebrating a special morning, or just want to make an ordinary day feel special, this coffee cake accomplishes it beautifully.

Ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible scent of apples and cinnamon? This easy coffee cake makes any morning feel special. Find more cozy breakfast favorites at NostalgicEats.com!