I could be wrong, but it seems like coffee cake is one of those overlooked breakfast classics. You just don’t seem to find it as often as you once could. That’s unfortunate. A warm apple-cinnamon filling with a crunchy walnut topping makes for a breakfast that should jumped right out of the pages of a lifestyle magazine.

This particular apple cinnamon coffee cake recipe has a little bit of everything. There’s your cinnamon streusel crumb, with cardamom, nutmeg, and vanilla. You have your cake, with chopped apple. And there’s the brown butter glaze. By the way, the trick to a delicious brown butter is to slowly heat the butter until the solids separate and turn brown. It takes a little bit, but you’ll know it when it happens. It’s really a beautiful thing.

Like so many similar recipes, this one’s easy to adjust to your taste, too. Personally, I love this with pecans rather than walnuts. I know apple and walnut are a good combo – nothing against that at all. For that matter, some people prefer their coffee cake without nuts of any kind.

The type of apple you use can make a difference in the flavor, too. For example, a Cortland, Early Victoria, or Granny Smith apple will bring more tart flavors to the recipe, while a Macoun, McIntosh, or Jonagold will give you a sweeter flavor profile. Whichever you choose, once your coffee cake is ready, pair it with – what else – a hot cup of fresh coffee for an idyllic start to your day.

And if you want to check out more apple recipes, learn about some different types of apples, or even grow your own apple tree in the back yard, check out the Audacious Apples Collection. 

Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

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The only thing that can make coffee cake more appetizing is to add in a touch of apple. So let’s dive into this apple cinnamon coffee cake.

• Author: Addie Gundry
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: Serves 8
• Category: Bakery

Ingredients

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• Cinnamon Streusel Crumb
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
• Cake
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
• Brown Butter Glaze
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch springform pan. Line the pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.
2. For the cinnamon streusel crumb: Mix the flour, walnuts, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, salt, cardamom, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Add the melted butter and vanilla and toss.
3. For the cake: Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter with the sugar on medium speed until fluffy. Add the egg and mix well. Add the sour cream and vanilla and mix well. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Reduce the speed to low. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until combined.
4. Spread half of the batter in the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle the chopped apple over the batter. Sprinkle 1 cup of the cinnamon streusel over the apple. Spread the remaining batter over the crumbs, then add the rest of the cinnamon streusel.
5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove the ring from the sides and let it cool completely. Transfer to a serving plate.
6. For the brown butter glaze: Heat the butter in a small saucepan, stirring continuously, until the butter begins to brown, being careful not to let it burn. Transfer to a small bowl. Whisk in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla, then the cream. Drizzle over the crumb cake. Slice and serve.

Your thoughts? What do you enjoy in a coffee cake recipe?