Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

WHAT IS COFFEE CAKE

You may wonder why it's called coffee cake when there's no coffee in the ingredients. It gets the name because this traditional sweet cake is an ideal complement to a nice warm cup of coffee or latte.

Traditional coffee cake recipes don't call for apples, but you will love the addition of the apple in this cake. The fresh apples and warm fall flavors will have you making this cake over and over again.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS EASY APPLE COFFEE CAKE RECIPE

• You can make it ahead of time and you can even freeze this cake.
• It is so easy to make.
• The apple takes the traditional coffee cake to new levels.
• The warm spices make it an excellent comfort food.
• Ice cream serves up perfectly with the warm spices and the crumb topping.

STORING AND FREEZING

You can store your coffee cake in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. This cake also does well if you want to freeze it. Wrap it tightly, and it can last in the freezer for up to 3 months- although it's so good, it most likely won't last that long!

INGREDIENTS

• Butter - If using unsalted butter, add ½ tsp of salt to the dry ingredients.
• Brown Sugar
• Granulated Sugar
• Vanilla
• 2 Eggs
• Apple Whiskey (Optional) - The addition of alcohol creates a super moist cake.
• Sour Cream
• Applesauce - Either sweetened or unsweetened applesauce will work.
• All Purpose Flour
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Pecans - Roughly chopped.
• One medium (tart) apple - My preference is either a Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples.
• Cinnamon (for Crumb topping)

INGREDIENT VARIATIONS

Raisins: Add 1 cup of these soft, sweet and juicy fruit for additional flavor.

Pecans: Substitute walnuts if you don't have any pecans or if you simply prefer walnuts over pecans.

Apple Whiskey: The little bit of whiskey helps to create a super moist cake. Substitute rum if you don't have any whiskey.

Grated Apple: Use either chopped or grated apples.

Powdered Sugar: I have been know to drizzle glaze over the top of the cake. Make a simple powder sugar glaze with 1 cup powder sugar, ½ tsp vanilla and 1 - 2 Tbsp of milk.

WHICH KIND OF APPLES SHOULD BE USED

Crisp, tart apples work best for this recipe. In my opinion, the best apple for this recipe is either the Honeycrisp or the Granny Smith.

HOW TO MAKE APPLE CINNAMON COFFEE CAKE

• Preheat the oven to 350° and lightly coat a 9" x 13" baking pan with cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, add the all purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a small bowl and set aside. Sift the flour for best results.
• In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add sour cream, apple sauce, apple whiskey (optional) and vanilla. If using a Kitchen Aid mixer, use the paddle attachment. I often use a hand mixer when making this recipe.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, into the mixture and mix until well combined.
• Slowly mix the flour mixture into the wet ingredients.
• Mix in the shredded apple and pecans. Transfer coffee cake batter to prepared pan and smooth top with a spatula.

• For the cinnamon streusel topping, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon and melted butter.

• Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar crumbs over the top of the batter.

• Bake until golden, about 30 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.

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If you make this recipe, please let me know! I'd love to hear how it turned out in the comments below.