Are you craving a warm, comforting treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up? Look no further! This apple cinnamon coffee cake recipe is incredibly easy to make, bursting with flavor, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. It's the perfect blend of sweet apples, fragrant cinnamon, and a tender, crumbly topping – everything you could want in a homemade coffee cake. This recipe is perfect for those looking for quick dinner ideas or simply a delicious and healthy meal option.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Apple Filling:
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended), peeled, cored, and diced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Get started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. This preparation ensures your cake bakes evenly and releases easily from the pan.
Prepare the apple filling: In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Mix gently until the apples are evenly coated.
Make the cake batter: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined – be careful not to overmix.
Assemble the cake: Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan. Spread the apple filling evenly over the batter. Pour the remaining cake batter over the apples.
Make the crumble topping: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the cake batter.
Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the cake to set properly and prevents it from crumbling when you cut it.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor: Use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar in the cake batter.
- Add nuts: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the crumble topping for added texture and flavor.
- Spice it up: Experiment with other spices like cardamom or ginger.
- Make it a muffin tin recipe: Easily adjust baking time by using a muffin tin – these would bake quicker!
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 350
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sodium: 200mg
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 25g
- Protein: 4g
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used. Enjoy your delicious homemade apple cinnamon coffee cake! It’s a perfect addition to your collection of easy recipes and healthy meals. This simple recipe makes for a great quick dinner idea or satisfying dessert. Remember to share this best recipe with your friends and family!