Apple Crumble Coffee Cake is a warm and cozy treat that brings together soft, tender cake with sweet cinnamon-spiced apples and a crunchy, buttery crumble topping. It’s the perfect mix of textures—from the soft crumb of the cake to the crispy little bits on top that make every bite a delight.
I love making this cake when the weather starts to feel like fall because the smell of cinnamon and baked apples fills the whole house and makes everything feel so inviting. One of my favorite tricks is to use a mix of tart and sweet apples to give the cake just the right balance of flavors. I usually enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee, which makes it taste even better, especially on a slow weekend morning.
Serving this coffee cake is always a hit with friends and family. I like to slice it up warm, maybe add a little bit of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if I’m feeling extra indulgent. It’s a classic comfort dessert that always brings smiles, whether for breakfast, a snack, or a cozy dessert after dinner.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples: Tart apples like Granny Smith add great flavor and hold their shape well. You can also use Fuji or Honeycrisp for a sweeter taste. Avoid mushy varieties like Red Delicious for this recipe.
Sour Cream: Sour cream adds moisture and a slight tang, making the cake tender. If you don’t have sour cream, plain yogurt or buttermilk works well as substitutes.
Butter: Use unsalted butter to control salt levels. For the crumble topping, cold butter is important to get those crumbly bits. If needed, you can replace butter with a non-dairy alternative for a dairy-free version.
Brown Sugar: The light brown sugar in the crumble gives a deep, caramel-like flavor. You can swap it with coconut sugar for a different twist or white sugar in a pinch.
How Do You Make a Crumble That’s Both Crunchy and Tender?
Getting the crumble topping just right is key for this cake. The secret is to keep the butter cold and mix it into the flour and sugar until crumbly but not fully blended.
- Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut in the butter. Avoid overworking it to keep some chunks for crunch.
- The cold butter melts during baking, creating pockets that yield a tender yet crisp topping.
- Sprinkle the crumble evenly and don’t press it down; this helps it stay loose and crunchy.
Equipment You’ll Need
- 9-inch baking pan – perfect size for even baking and easy slicing.
- Mixing bowls – you’ll need a few for batter, apples, and crumble topping.
- Pastry cutter or fork – helps mix cold butter into the crumble topping without melting it.
- Measuring cups and spoons – keep your ingredients balanced for best results.
- Electric mixer or hand mixer – makes creaming butter and sugar quick and smooth.
- Spatula – great for spreading batter and folding ingredients gently.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Try pears instead of apples for a softer, mellow fruit flavor.
- Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumble for extra crunch and nuttiness.
- Stir in ½ tsp ground nutmeg or ginger with cinnamon to warm up the spice notes.
- Mix in dried cranberries with the apples for a tart and colorful twist.
Apple Crumble Coffee Cake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Apple Filling:
- 3 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 3 medium apples; Granny Smith or tart apples preferred)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
For the Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare, then 50-60 minutes to bake. Allow an additional 20 minutes for cooling before serving. So, roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch square or round baking pan, so the cake won’t stick.
2. Make the Crumble Topping:
In a bowl, mix together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut in the cold diced butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Set this aside for later.
3. Prepare the Apple Filling:
In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. This will keep them fresh and spice them nicely.
4. Make the Cake Batter:
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one by one, beating well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In another bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients and sour cream alternately to the creamed mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
5. Assemble the Cake:
Spread half of the cake batter in the prepared pan to form an even layer. Next, spread the apple filling evenly over the batter. Dollop the remaining batter over the apples and gently spread it out, don’t worry if the apples peek through.
6. Add the Crumble and Bake:
Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over everything. Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake layer (avoid the crumble) comes out clean and the topping is golden brown.
7. Cool and Serve:
Take the cake out of the oven and let it cool in the pan for around 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. For an extra treat, add whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on the side.
Can I Use Frozen Apples for This Coffee Cake?
Yes, you can! Just make sure to thaw and drain the apples well to avoid extra moisture that could make the cake soggy. Pat them dry with paper towels before mixing with the sugar and spices.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving.
Can I Make This Recipe Dairy-Free?
Absolutely! Substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine or coconut oil and use dairy-free yogurt or sour cream alternatives. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I Add Nuts to the Crumble Topping?
Yes! Chopped walnuts or pecans make a great addition to the crumble, adding extra crunch and flavor. Mix about ⅓ cup of nuts into the crumble topping before sprinkling it on.
