There’s something magical about the smell of caramel, cinnamon, and apples baking in the oven.
This Caramel Apple Coffee Cake is the perfect blend of cozy, sweet, and comforting.
It’s great for a holiday breakfast, a weekend brunch, or even just a quiet afternoon snack with tea or coffee.
Everyone in your family will adore it. The inside is soft and moist, and the top is crumbly with streusel and caramel sauce.
It’s like fall in every bite, but honestly, it’s so good you’ll want to make it all year long.
This recipe has been a hit in my family for years. My kids especially love sneaking bites of the caramel drizzle before it makes it onto the cake (I see you, sneaky hands!).
It’s easy to make, kid-approved, and just fancy enough to impress guests. Let’s bake it together!
What You’ll Need
For the Cake:
- 1 ¾ cups of flour for all purposes
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- ½ cup of softened butter without salt
- ¾ cup of sugar in granules
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup of sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are great!)
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Caramel Drizzle:
- Caramel sauce from the store or homemade caramel sauce
Tools You’ll Need:
- Mixing bowls (small and medium)
- Hand or stand mixer
- Whisk
- 8×8-inch baking pan (or a 9-inch round pan)
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Tools
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your baking pan. Gather all your ingredients so everything’s ready to go.
Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the sour cream and vanilla. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Fold in the chopped apples.
Step 3: Make the topping for the streusel
In a small bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in the melted butter until crumbly.
Step 4: Put together and bake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Put the streusel topping on top of the batter. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 5: Drizzle the Caramel
Once the cake has cooled, drizzle caramel sauce generously over the top. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Baking Success
- Pick the Right Apples: Granny Smith apples are tart and hold their shape well in baking, but Honeycrisp adds a touch of sweetness. Pick your favorite or a mix of both!
- Keep the Streusel Crumbly: Don’t overmix the streusel topping. You don’t want a paste; you want lovely tiny clumps. Use your fingers to gently toss it together if needed.
- Room-Temp Ingredients Are Key: Let your butter, eggs, and sour cream sit out for about 30 minutes before you start. It helps everything mix together smoothly.
- Check for Doneness: This cake may take longer to bake because it has pieces of apple in it. Check with a toothpick in the center—it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs.
- Caramel Drizzle Goes on Cool Cake: Wait until the cake is cool before drizzling the caramel. If you don’t, it will melt off.
Changes and Substitutions
- No sour cream? Instead, use plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk.
- Want to cut sugar? Swap granulated sugar with coconut sugar or a blend of monk fruit sweetener for a slightly healthier version.
- No sauce for caramel? A dusting of powdered sugar works beautifully, or make your own caramel sauce if you’re feeling fancy!
Tips for making things ahead of time
- You can make the cake a day ahead! After it has cooled, wrap it tightly and store it at room temperature. Drizzle the caramel right before serving.
- You can also make the streusel topping a day ahead and keep it in the fridge.
Leftovers and Storage
- Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Put it in the fridge to keep it longer. It will last for up to a week.
- Reheat slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for that fresh-out-of-the-oven warmth.
Let’s Bake!
It’s time to turn your kitchen into a bakery now that you have the recipe.
Your house will smell great when you make this caramel apple coffee cake, and it will quickly become a family favorite.
I’d love to know how it goes for you!
Leave a comment below to share your experience or ask any questions.
Let’s get baking! 🥰