Easy Apple Coffee Cake

This fluffy cake, perfect for beginners, features a creamy layer of rich cream cheese and juicy apples, topped with a sweet, crumbly sugar topping. Every bite brings warmth and comfort—ideal for pairing with a hot cup of coffee on a crisp fall morning.

Easy Apple Coffee CakePhoto byThe Salty Cooker

Why You’ll Love This Apple Coffee Cake with Cream Cheese

Simple and Easy: This recipe is straightforward, using only basic ingredients, making it perfect for beginners.

Perfect for Sharing: Ideal for potlucks, bake sales, or gatherings, this coffee cake makes a generous portion, so there's plenty to go around.

Weekend Brunch Star: Impress your brunch guests with this delicious coffee cake. Serve it warm with a cup of coffee for a cozy weekend treat.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Busy schedule? Bake this cake a day in advance, and it will still be fresh and flavorful when you're ready to serve.

Endless Variations: Get creative! There are plenty of fun twists and ideas to customize this cake to your liking.

Easy Apple Coffee CakePhoto byThe Salty Cooker

Cake Ingredients

• 2 cups 1.1 gluten-free flour or all-purpose flour
• 4 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 2 eggs
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 1 ½ cups sour cream
• 1 cup room temperature butter
• 3 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Layer

• 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar

Streusel Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups chopped walnuts
• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 8 tbsp room temperature butter
• 1 cup 1.1 gluten-free flour or all-purpose flour
• 1 Granny Smith apple peeled and finely diced
• 1 Honeycrisp apple peeled and finely diced

Glaze Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp milk

Instructions

• Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and spray an 9” round or 9×9 square with at least 2 1/2” deep (at least 2-inch sides) with nonstick baking spray.
• Cream Cheese Layer: In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth and set aside.
• Cake Batter: In another mixing bowl, cream together sugar and butter on high for 3 minutes. Mix in eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides and add the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon). Mix until well incorporated.
• Streusel: In a bowl, combine the room temperature butter with the rest of the streusel ingredients (chopped walnuts, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and flour). Use a fork to cut the ingredients together until well combined.
• Assemble Cake: Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking dish. Spread the cream cheese mixture on top. Sprinkle half of the streusel mixture in the center and half of the apples on top. Add the remaining cake batter on top, followed by the rest of the apples and streusel.
• Bake: Bake for 55-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the baking dish.
• Glaze: Mix powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle on top of the cooled cake.

Notes

• Nuts: Use different types of nuts such as pecans or almonds instead of walnuts for variety.
• Spice: Add nutmeg or allspice to the cake batter for extra warmth.
• Fruits: Add different fruits such as pears or berries to the streusel for added flavor.

Easy Apple Coffee CakePhoto byThe Salty Cooker