Caramel Apple Coffee Cake Recipe

ByAiden Wells
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Introduction

This Caramel Apple Coffee Cake is a delightful treat that combines tender, spiced cake with crisp apple pieces and a sweet caramel drizzle. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack, its crumbly streusel topping adds a wonderful texture and flavor contrast.

A close-up view of a single triangular slice of moist, light brown cake with a crumbly texture, showing visible small chunks of apple inside. The slice sits on a simple white plate with a slightly raised edge, placed on a folded mustard yellow cloth. Next to the cake slice is a silver fork holding a small piece of the cake drizzled with a light amber syrup, which also pools slightly on the white plate around the fork. The background is a white marbled textured surface, and a soft natural light highlights the cake’s moistness and crumb texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (64 grams) Bob’s Red Mill Organic All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons (43 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons (56 grams) salted caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling
  • 2 cups (254 grams) Bob’s Red Mill Organic All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup (200 grams) light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 8 ounces (227 grams) sour cream or plain yogurt, at room temperature
  • 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (about 200 grams)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Step 2: Make the streusel by combining the light brown sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, and melted butter in a small bowl. Use a fork to mix until crumbly, then set aside.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and brown sugar.
  4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, stir together the vegetable oil, sour cream, and beaten eggs. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined, leaving a few streaks of flour.
  5. Step 5: Fold the chopped apples into the batter gently.
  6. Step 6: Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the streusel over the batter and drizzle 2 tablespoons of salted caramel sauce on top.
  7. Step 7: Spread the remaining batter over the streusel layer. Sprinkle with the remaining streusel.
  8. Step 8: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes before drizzling with additional salted caramel sauce.
  9. Step 9: Cut into slices and serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

  • Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with coconut oil and use a plant-based yogurt.
  • Add chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans to the streusel for extra crunch.
  • If you prefer, swap the salted caramel sauce for plain caramel or a drizzle of maple syrup.

Storage

Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or until heated through. This cake also freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

How to Serve

A round coffee cake with crumbly golden-brown streusel topping that looks crunchy, the cake itself is light brown with visible small chunks of fruit inside, sliced to show the texture and layers clearly, with some syrup or glaze dripping slightly down the sides. It sits on a white plate placed on a mustard yellow cloth napkin on a white marbled surface, next to a silver cake server with cut-out decorative shapes, adding a simple, cozy setting. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple?

Yes, you can substitute with any firm apple variety like Honeycrisp or Fuji, but keep in mind that sweeter apples will reduce the tart contrast.

Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures 1:1 for best results, and ensure baking powder is gluten-free.

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Caramel Apple Coffee Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 791 reviews
  • Author: Aiden
  • Total Time: 55 to 60 minutes
  • Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This Caramel Apple Coffee Cake is a delightful blend of tender cake, warm spices, tart Granny Smith apples, and a rich salted caramel drizzle. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, this moist cake features a cinnamon-ginger-nutmeg flavored batter layered with a buttery streusel topping and salted caramel sauce for an irresistible sweet and slightly tangy flavor contrast.

Ingredients

Scale

Streusel

  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (64 grams) Bob’s Red Mill Organic All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons (43 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons (56 grams) salted caramel sauce

Cake

  • 2 cups (254 grams) Bob’s Red Mill Organic All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup (200 grams) light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 8 ounces (227 grams) sour cream or plain yogurt, at room temperature
  • 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (about 200 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons (56 grams) salted caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray to ensure the cake does not stick.
  2. Make the streusel: In a small bowl, combine the light brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted unsalted butter using a fork to mix until crumbly and evenly combined. Set this streusel mixture aside for layering later.
  3. Prepare the dry ingredients for the cake: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and light brown sugar. This dry spice and leavening mixture forms the cake’s base flavor and texture.
  4. Combine wet ingredients: In a separate smaller bowl, mix together the vegetable oil, sour cream (or plain yogurt), and beaten eggs until smooth and uniform. This will add moisture and richness to the cake batter.
  5. Mix cake batter: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Gently stir the batter just until a few streaks of flour remain—do not overmix to keep the cake tender. Then, carefully fold in the peeled and chopped Granny Smith apples, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
  6. Assemble the cake layers: Spoon half of the batter into the prepared springform pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle half of the streusel mixture over the batter, then drizzle 2 tablespoons of salted caramel sauce over the streusel. Carefully spread the remaining batter over this layer, followed by the remaining streusel topping to finish the assembly.
  7. Bake the cake: Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached. Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
  8. Finish and serve: After cooling, drizzle additional salted caramel sauce over the top of the cake for extra flavor and presentation. Slice the cake into pieces and serve warm or at room temperature.
  9. Storage: Store any leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and moisture.

Notes

  • Use room temperature sour cream or plain yogurt for smoother batter and better texture.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep it tender and moist.
  • Granny Smith apples provide a nice tartness that balances the sweetness of the caramel and cake.
  • The salted caramel can be homemade or store-bought for convenience.
  • This cake is best enjoyed within a few days for optimal freshness.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 to 40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Caramel Apple Coffee Cake, apple coffee cake, caramel coffee cake, cinnamon cake, streusel coffee cake, fall dessert

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