Are you craving a warm, comforting treat that's surprisingly healthy and easy to make? Look no further than this applesauce coffee cake recipe! This delightful dessert combines the moistness of applesauce with the classic crumbly goodness of coffee cake, resulting in a perfect balance of sweet and subtly spiced flavors. It's the ideal homemade treat for a cozy weekend brunch, an after-dinner delight, or a simple yet impressive dessert for unexpected guests. This recipe is perfect for those seeking quick dinner ideas or healthy meals that don't compromise on taste.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Get started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. This simple step ensures your coffee cake will slide out easily.
Make the cake batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the applesauce and vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Prepare the crumble topping: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Assemble and bake: Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and serve: Let the coffee cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Tips for the Best Applesauce Coffee Cake:
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to a tough coffee cake. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
- Use cold butter for the crumble: Cold butter creates a flakier, more delicious crumble topping.
- Adjust the spices: Feel free to adjust the amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to your liking.
- Add nuts: For added texture and flavor, stir in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the cake batter.
- Make it a glaze: Drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice over the cooled coffee cake for an extra touch of sweetness.
Variations:
- Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake: Enhance the apple flavor by adding ½ cup of chopped apples to the batter.
- Cranberry Applesauce Coffee Cake: Incorporate ½ cup of dried cranberries into the batter for a delightful tartness.
- Spiced Pear Coffee Cake: Substitute the applesauce with pear puree for a similar moist texture and a unique flavor profile.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 300-350 Fat: 15-20g Saturated Fat: 8-10g Carbohydrates: 40-45g Sugar: 20-25g Protein: 4-5g
This applesauce coffee cake recipe provides delicious and easy recipes for homemade cooking, perfect for those seeking healthy meals and best recipes. Enjoy this delightful treat!