Description
This Apple Coffee Cake combines tender, cinnamon-spiced cake with juicy Granny Smith apples, layered with a creamy vanilla cream cheese filling and topped with a crunchy cinnamon pecan streusel. Perfectly moist and flavorful, this cake is a delightful companion for your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Cake Batter:
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Dash of salt
- 1 1/2 cups diced, peeled Granny Smith apples
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Streusel Topping:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and grease an 8x8 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Make Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine cold diced butter, flour, rolled oats, baking powder, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and chopped pecans if using. Mix with a fork or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Layer: Using an electric mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and light brown sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and vanilla extract, mixing well to combine.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and a dash of salt.
- Form Cake Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet butter mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in the diced peeled Granny Smith apples gently to distribute evenly.
- Assemble Cake Layers: Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth evenly. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the batter layer. Carefully spoon the remaining cake batter on top of the cream cheese layer and smooth it out. Sprinkle the prepared streusel topping evenly over the cake.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake batter (not the cream cheese layer) comes out clean and the topping is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature, ideally with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Notes
- Using sour cream or Greek yogurt adds moisture and tang to balance the sweetness.
- For a nut-free version, omit the pecans from the streusel topping.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to achieve a smooth cream cheese layer.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the cake tender.
- Use Granny Smith apples for their tartness, which pairs well with the sweet and cinnamon flavors.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly before cutting to help the layers set properly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American