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Our easy Apple Coffee Cake recipe is packed with warm fall flavors, and has a surprise cream cheese layer and streusel crumb topping.
Apple Coffee Cake Will Be Your New Fall Baking Obsession
I love a good coffee cake, and this is the one I instantly turn to when the weather gets cooler. The streusel gets perfectly golden and crunchy on top, while that hidden layer of sweet cream cheese underneath is what really makes people go back for seconds (and ask for the recipe). It's rich enough to feel like a treat, but simple enough to whip up for a lazy weekend brunch.
Don't skip the cream cheese layer! It stays creamy and distinct after baking, giving every slice that extra-special richness. Just make sure your cream cheese is fully softened so it spreads evenly.
Try more apple recipes, like Apple Bundt Cake, Fresh Apple Cake, Apple Crisp, Apple Cobbler, and Apple Pie!
How to make Apple Coffee Cake:
Make the Streusel: Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter with a fork or your fingers until crumbly. Set aside.
Make Batter: Beat together butter and brown sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg, sour cream, and vanilla then mix. Stir dry ingredients separately then add into wet ingredients and mix together. Fold in apples.
Cream Cheese Layer: Spread half the batter in a greased pan, then layer on the sweetened cream cheese filling, followed by the remaining batter.
Bake: Sprinkle the streusel generously over the top and bake at 350 degrees F for about 55-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool before slicing.
Apple Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1/4 cup butter, , softened
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup sour cream, , or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- dash of salt
- 1 1/2 cups diced, peeled Granny Smith apples
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, , softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
Streusel Topping:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold, diced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans, , optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF and grease an 8×8 inch pan.
- Streusel Topping: Combine all the streusel topping ingredients in a small bowl. Mix with a fork (or your fingers) until the mixture resembles crumbs. Set aside.¼ cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup old-fashioned rolled oats, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ cup packed light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ cup chopped pecans
- Cream Cheese Layer: Use electric mixers to mix together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Set aside.8 ounces cream cheese, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl beat together ¼ cup butter and ¾ cup brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg, sour cream, and vanilla and mix to combine.¼ cup butter, ¾ cup light brown sugar, 1 large egg, ½ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl stir together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.1 cup all-purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon baking soda, dash of salt
- Combine: Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir to combine. Stir in apples.1 ½ cups diced, peeled Granny Smith apples
- Assemble: Pour half of the batter into prepared baking dish and smooth into an even layer. Spread cream cheese layer on top. Top with remaining cake batter, and then streusel topping.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve with a cup of hot coffee (or tea), if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I originally shared this recipe September 2017. Updated October 2020, October 2023 and August 2026.
Skip the oatmeal and you’ve got a winner!
Oh boy this was delicious!!! I am a nanny to 2 year old twins and they went crazy for it. My husband loved it too and he’s not too big on cream cheese. I will absolutely be making this again. I did simplify it by using a premafe cheesecake filling but otherwise stuck to the recipe. So good!!
this was / is absolutely the best coffee cake ever. I had apples that were bourbon infused for a week so I used those. very tasty. Thank you.
Amazing! So delicious ! Never had anything like it thank you Laura
Delish! Just curious, why baking powder in the streusel?
Can I make this in a Bundt pan?
This is delicious! Due to time and ingredient shortage, I only made the cake portion, so I can just imagine how much better it would be with the filling and topping! Several guys I often share my baking with loved it, so it’s a sure bet it’s not just me. Note: I followed the recipe, sans filling and topping, exactly. No changes, additions. A keeper and go-to!
Absolutely delicious!!
Do you think it would work without the cream cheese layer?
Yes, that’s fine.
I’ve made many of your delicious recipes with rave reviews.