This recipe for fresh apple coffee cake is perfect for a Fall morning treat. The moist and flavorful cake is topped with a sweet and crumbly topping made of brown sugar, flour, nutmeg and cinnamon. The addition of chopped walnuts gives the cake an extra crunchy texture and nutty flavor. This easy-to-make cake can be enjoyed fresh out of the oven or stored in an airtight container for later.
We don't seem to take enough coffee breaks these days. How did it happen that our worlds became so rushed? I remember growing up and being at my great-aunt's house and watching her bake.
Mariskaneni-my aunt- always had a sweet Hungarian cake ready for her friends that would come over for a visit and a good chat. There was great conversation and delicious desserts to be shared with her company. And always some steaming hot coffee. I need to do that a little more over here.
WHAT EXACTLY IS COFFEE CAKE?
Coffee cake is a sweet cake that is typically served with coffee. It can be enjoyed for breakfast, brunch or as a dessert. The cake is often made with a streusel topping or crumb topping.
INGREDIENTS FOR APPLE COFFEE CAKE
- water
- egg
- shortening
- bread flour
- salt
- cinnamon
- brown sugar, packed
- (1 packet) active dry yeast
- apple, peeled, chopped or shredded
- walnuts, chopped (cake is also delicious when you omit walnuts)
- brown sugar, packed
- all-purpose flour
- nutmeg
- cinnamon
- butter, softened
WHAT IS THE BEST APPLE TO USE IN A CAKE?
For this cake, I like to use Granny Smith apples. They are tart and firm, which makes them ideal for baking. You can also use Honeycrisp apples or Golden Delicious apples.
The cake is so easy to make and rises up nicely. It is sweet and moist from the apples and the crumble topping is wonderful. Perfect for an afternoon coffee break and delightful for breakfast.
More Recipes like this:
The Best Easy Fresh Apple Coffee Cake with Crumble Topping
Ingredients
Topping
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup butter softened
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 375ºF.
- Grease and flour (or spray with baking spray) a tube pan or a 9-inch square cake pan.
- In saucepan, heat water and shortening until very warm (120°-130° F; shortening does not need to melt). In large mixer bowl, combine 1+½ cups flour, yeast, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon; mix well. Add water with the shortening to the flour mixture. Add egg. Blend at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. With a spatula, mix in the remaining flour, the apples and walnuts a little at a time until combined and you have a soft batter.
- Prepare Topping: Combine brown sugar, flour, and spices. Mix the butter in with your hands until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle topping over the dough.
- Cover; let rise in warm place about 30 (I let mine rise about 45 minutes) minutes. Bake at 375º F for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Disclosure - This post was sponsored by Red Star Yeast. All opinions are my own.
Jen says
One of my favorite apple cake recipes, and I have a few that bake on repeat! This is the BEST
Lora says
Hi Jen-So happy you enjoy the apple coffee cake. It happens to be one of my favorites! Happy Baking!
Ri says
Looks scrumptious! But I don't use shortening or margarine. Can it be substituted with butter or oil?
Lora says
Yes, this is a very old-fashioned recipe (hence, the shortening). Go ahead and use butter! Happy Baking! XX
Lisa says
Why must you always post such beautiful and mouth-watering baked goods? Post something that looks gross so I don't feel the need to gorge every time I'm here, you diet killer you! OK, (regaining composure) this yeasted apple cake looks to be the perfect combination of fluffy bread and cake - perfection! Congrats on partnering with Red Star Yeast! xoxo
Leigh says
I made this, this morning only I put the batter in muffin tins...Still delicious but thy aren't nearly as fluffy as the cake looks! I'll definately be making it in cake form in a couple days!!!
Anonymous says
Hi. I´ve found your blog when i was looking for a different recipe with apples and your seemed to be perfect, and it's much more than that. Thanks for share. Have a nice weekend and sorry my word mistakes.
You can see your recipe here 🙂
http://saborescomhistoria.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/aqui-tambem-e-outono-e-com-macas/
Kaera says
This coffee cake looks delicious. I love apples in desserts, they work so well with spices and when caramelized. I have to admit though, while I have no aversion to cooking with yeast, I tend to be a bit impatient with my sweets. Especially when I have a good recipe that doesn't take the added 45 min (http://kaerasmith.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/cinnamon-and-ginger-coffee-cake/). In your honest opinion, is the cake worth the wait?
Savoring Italy says
I love the flavor from and fluffiness from the yeast and don't mind the wait. But I know what you mean about not being able to wait:)
Tickled Red says
Coffee cakes are my favorite so I am making this one for sure. It looks so moist and scrumptious!
Mari says
A must do for me. Looks awesome Lora 🙂 Congratulations on your partnering with Red Star Yeast!
Hugs
Anonymous says
looks wonderful! What kind of apple did you use?
Mac says
Apple and Cinnamon this looks and sounds really good can't wait to make this thanks for sharing Lora.
Lilianna Grace says
I actually would love to make this tomorrow and while reveiewing the ingredients noticed a typo on the cinnamon used for the cake. I assume it's 1/2 tsp. cinnamon that is required?
Savoring Italy says
The original recipe calls for 1/2 tsp. I added 1 tsp because we love a little more cinnamon in our cakes:)Happy baking!
Jamie says
What a gorgeous cake! But yeast? There's yeast in it? Beautiful! And believe me when I say that someone (ahem) loves apple coffee cakes and begs me regularly to make one: a favorite breakfast. So now this wonderful recipe is bookmarked. Delicious!!
Lemons and Anchovies says
I love all apple desserts--cakes, tarts, pies--I'll eat them all but I do like your version here best for breakfast or afternoon tea. I love the apple chunks dotting the cake. Looking forward to your other Red Star recipes. 🙂
Hope you're having a great weekend, Lora!
Monet says
Oh my...I want to make this now. You know how much I love apple desserts. And this one with yeast? I want it now! Thanks for sharing and inspiring me, my sweet friend. Sending hugs!
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says
I love fresh apple cake. I think we don't drop by for coffee enough these days so people don't bake coffee cakes as much.
We're all working or blogging or attending events with kids and family. It's a sad tradition to lose. I'm glad you're keeping this cake alive. 🙂
Lisa says
I don't see many cakes that contain yeast loking this moist! It reminds me of a cake my grandma used to make..it looks delicious and lovely! Congrats on partnering up with Red Star..looking forward to seeing and bookmarking (eventually making lol) all the treats you come up with! xoxo