Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake: A Cozy Treat Your Family Will Love

There’s just something magical about the combination of apples, cinnamon, and a soft, crumbly coffee cake.

It smells like pure comfort while it bakes and tastes like a hug on a plate. This Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake has been a family favorite in my home for years—it’s perfect for cozy mornings, holiday brunches, or even as an after-school snack for the kids.

What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is to make, even with the layers of flavor it brings to the table. The sweet-tart apples, warm cinnamon, and buttery crumb topping make every bite irresistible. Plus, your house will smell amazing while it bakes—guaranteed!

Let’s dive in, and I promise this will become one of your go-to recipes.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced

For the Cinnamon Sugar Layer:

1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Crumb Topping:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted

Pro Tips for Success

Dice the apples small: Smaller apple pieces bake more evenly and give you little bursts of sweetness in every bite.
Don’t skip the sour cream: It keeps the cake super moist and tender. If you don’t have it, plain Greek yogurt works just as well.
Use cold butter for the crumb topping: It creates the perfect crumbly texture.
Test for doneness early: Every oven is different, so start checking with a toothpick at the 30-minute mark.
Let the cake cool slightly before cutting: It makes slicing easier and keeps the crumb topping from falling apart.

Tools You’ll Need

Mixing bowls
Whisk and spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
9×9-inch square baking dish
Parchment paper or non-stick spray
Toothpick for testing

Substitutions and Variations

Apples: Use pears if you prefer or a mix of both.
Cinnamon Sugar Layer: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for extra warmth.
Crumb Topping: Swap in oats for some of the flour to make it heartier.
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Make-Ahead Tips

You can make the crumb topping and dice the apples up to a day in advance. Store the crumb topping in the fridge and the apples in an airtight container to save time when you’re ready to bake.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

1. Preheat Your Oven

A top-down view of a 9x9-inch baking dish lined with parchment paper with nothing inside, with softened butter and eggs in a bowl off to the side

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease it well.

2. Make the Cake Batter

A mixing bowl with creamed butter and sugar, with eggs and vanilla being mixed in

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in the vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, then mix in the sour cream, followed by the remaining dry ingredients. Gently fold in the diced apples.

3. Add the Cinnamon Sugar Layer

In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the top, then spread the remaining batter over it.

4. Make and Add the Crumb Topping

A bowl of crumb topping being sprinkled over the unbaked cake batter in the rectangular ceramic dish

In another small bowl, mix the flour, sugars, and cinnamon for the crumb topping. Drizzle in the melted butter and stir until crumbs form. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter.

5. Bake

A golden-brown coffee cake baking inside a modern stainless steel double oven, in the rectangular dish, with the crumb topping bubbling slightl

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Cool and Serve

A freshly baked rectangular apple cinnamon coffee cake with crumb topping cooling in a ceramic rectangular dish, with powdered sugar being sprinkled on top

Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature. Dust with powdered sugar if you’d like!

Leftovers and Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake filling your kitchen.

It’s one of those recipes that brings people together, whether it’s for a lazy weekend breakfast or a cozy family dessert.