As the weather turns cooler, I'm all about lazy Sunday mornings and big hearty breakfasts. On any given Sunday morning, you'll find me in my kitchen serving up recipes like my Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and my son's favorite Easy Peasy Buttermilk Biscuits.
Sunday morning breakfast has become somewhat of a tradition in my house ever since my kids were little. Even now with the kids gone and moved out, I still make a hearty breakfast for my hubby and myself.
Now, I've got a new favorite to add to the Sunday morning lineup; Grandma's Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake. Is this my grandma's recipe? No, but I'm a grandma now and I'm so pleased with how this coffee cake came out, I'm branding it with my title!
Trust me when I say, you need this fresh apple cake recipe in your life!
It's so seriously good!
How do you make Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake?
What could be better than a warm tender cake (thanks to the buttermilk!) dotted with sweet apple pieces and an over the top brown sugar cinnamon swirl?
Let me answer that for you. Nothing. That's what.
If you are looking for a quick and easy apple coffee cake recipe, then you've come to the right place. This apple coffee cake recipe is easy to make!
Just like with any quick cake or bread recipe, making sure you don't overmix the batter is key. Over mixing the batter will tend to produce a tough cake, so just don't do it!
Once you've got the batter all mixed up, the apple and brown sugar cinnamon are simply layered over the batter in two steps.
I've already mentioned this fresh apple cake recipe is excellent for a lazy breakfast, but it's also great for an afternoon pick me up with a cup of coffee or tea. (Can you believe when I was a kid I thought coffee cake had to be only eaten while sipping a cup of coffee?!)
Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake also would make an awesome dessert when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
I used Cortland apples in this apple cinnamon coffee cake recipe. Some of my favorite apple varieties to bake with include Cortland apples, Gala apples, and Jonagold apples.
You can use whatever apple variety you like. Here is a handy guide to help you decide what kind of apple to use for this coffee cake courtesy of one of my favorite local Ohio apple orchards.
You might have different apple varieties available to you according to where you live.
Can I make Apple Coffee Cake Muffins?
This apple coffee cake recipe can easily be made into muffins instead of a whole cake. Simply adjust the bake time (would be slightly shorter).
I love baking with apples this time of year! If you like this apple cinnamon coffee cake recipe, you may also want to give Old Fashioned Fresh Apple Cake and this Apple Rum Raisin Cake a try!
Yield: 12 servings
Grandma's Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 50 MinTotal time: 1 H & 5 M
Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake is an easy to make, tender coffee cake studded with fresh apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon for a sweet apple treat any time of the day!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 - 1/2 cups all purpose flour (use cake flour for an extra tender cake)
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 3/4 cup low fat buttermilk
- 1 - 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 2 med apples, cored, peeled and chopped into 1" pieces. (can use any variety you like, I used Cortland apples)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 8" x 8" baking dish with cooking spray or baking spray (like Baker's Joy)
- In small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder with a whisk.
- In large 4 cup measuring cup, whisk together the sugar, oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and MIX UNTIL JUST COMBINED. Do not over mix!
- Spread 1/2 the batter into the prepared pan, Top with half the apples and half the reserved brown sugar/cinnamon mixture. Press down slightly. Spread remaining batter over the apples and then top with remaining apples and brown sugar/cinnamon. With a knife, swirl the batter to swirl the apples and cinnamon into the cake.
- Bake in oven for 40 - 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. All ovens bake differently, so make sure you use the toothpick to ensure the middle is done!
- Allow to cool for 15 minutes, dust with powdered sugar (if desired), and enjoy warm!
Notes
While this cake tastes great warm or cool, it's best enjoyed while it's warm from the oven! A cooled cake can be reheated in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
201.17Fat (grams)
10.33 gSat. Fat (grams)
1.04 gCholesterol (grams)
27.88 mgCarbs (grams)
26.4 gFiber (grams)
0.98 gSugar (grams)
20.96 gNet carbs
25.42 gProtein (grams)
2.06 gSodium (milligrams)
213.03 mgNutritional information is an estimate and only provided as a courtesy.
Copyright © 2018 Renee's Kitchen Adventures
Don't forget to pin Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake to your Pinterest boards!
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You had me at coffee cake! This looks amazing. I love love love all the fresh apples and cinnamon. This cake is soooo good!!
ReplyDeleteThe fresh apples and cinnamon really make the cake! Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteWhat can I use instead of buttermilk?
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thanks for your question. You can use plain milk, any fat content. Texture may come out a bit different but will still work. To make it more like buttermilk, you can add a tsp of plain vinegar or lemon juice to the milk. Plain, unsweetened yogurt would work also. Nut milk, coconut milk, or soy should also work, but again, might get a different texture.
DeleteHope this helps.
Can I make this in a loaf pan?
ReplyDeleteHi Jerrica! Thanks for your question. I have never made this recipe in a loaf pan, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. You might have to adjust bake time a little for the change in thickness.
DeleteJust made this for the second time. This time I doubled the recipe and made it in a 9 x 13 pan. It looks wonderful and smells amazing. Hope it tastes good as I'm bringing it to our morning bowling group. I used cake flour and love the texture and it is so moist. Thank you for this great recipe.
ReplyDeleteHi Mimi! Thanks for your review! I hope you enjoyed it! Yes, this cake is very moist!
DeleteHow long did you cook the cake in the 9 by 13 pan?
DeleteHi! To answer how long to cook if you double the recipe and bake in a 9 x 13 inch pan? I would start at the same amount of time listed in the recipe (40-45 minutes) and check for doneness at the 40 minute mark as described in the recipe card. Even though you are doubling the amount of batter, you are spreading it out more so it should be close to the original bake time. Hope this helps!
DeleteIt was delicious. I used a combination of apples but mostly gala.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you very much for your review.
DeleteDelicious.. I added some walnuts.
ReplyDeleteHello and thanks for your comment! I'm so happy you enjoyed this recipe.
DeleteMade this today. Only thing I did was use regular milk with 1T vinegar (let sit 5 min) to make homemade buttermilk. And then I cooked down the apples before adding to the cake. This went over so well. I will be making it again. Even my picky kid devoured it! Thanks for a great recipe.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for the review.
DeleteI make this cake yesterday and it’s was delicious I make some adjustments I half the sugar and add some walnuts and pineapple and it’s really was amazing- I love it 👍😋
ReplyDeleteHello and thank you so much for your review. I love that you added pineapple and walnuts. I'm so happy it turned out well for you!
DeleteI doubled the recipe and made in a 9x12 pan, added about 1 cup chopped pecans and used 2.5x the cinnamon. Excellent and moist - this recipe is a keeper.
ReplyDeleteHi happy you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks so much for taking the time to review!
DeleteJust made your apple cake and we are having a piece while it’s warm…HOMERUN! Easy to make and amazingly delicious. I did not have buttermilk but made some using lemon juice in milk. Thank you for sharing it!
DeleteHello and thanks so much for your review! I'm so happy you enjoyed this recipe!
DeleteHi, I made this yesterday, didn’t deviate from the original recipe. It baked at least 45 minutes. For some reason the apples were still firm. I have not had this happen before and have been baking for an awful long time! Thanks, .Linda
ReplyDeleteHi sorry for your difficulty with the apples. I've not had that happen. So many things could have caused the apples to stay too firm, as you probably already know since you bake...apple variety, size of cut apples, etc. I hope it still tased good for you.
Delete