When you think about the perfect accompaniment to your morning cup of coffee, this cake checks all the boxes.
It starts with a classic vanilla cake, topped with a layer of cinnamon apples delicately sweetened with maple syrup, and a streusel topping with a pumpkin spice twist. This coffee cake is the perfect bite to get you in the Fall mood – having the intoxicating aroma of vanilla and cinnamon apples wafting through your house is just a bonus.
RECIPE:
Spiced Apple Coffee Cake
Serves 8
INGREDIENTS
Cinnamon Apple Layer
2 tbsp butter
2 medium-sized Honeycrisp apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tbsp maple syrup
½ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Cake Ingredients
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar
½ cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
½ cup half and half
1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
1 ¾ tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt Butter, for greasing pan
Streusel Ingredients
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup light brown sugar
¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice
6 tbsp chilled butter
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter a 9-inch springform pan (preferably non-stick). If pan is not non-stick, line with parchment.
Prep apple layer: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a medium skillet then stir in maple syrup. Add sliced apples and sauté in the butter mixture. Sprinkle with cinnamon, and pinch of salt, and continue to toss in the pan until apples are softened and slightly jammy. Remove from pan and set aside to cool.
Prep streusel: In a food processor, add flour, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice together and pulse until combined. Add 6 tbsp chilled butter, and pulse until butter is incorporated. Texture should be sandy with pea-sized pieces of butter. You can also use a pastry cutter or fork if you’d prefer to do this step by hand. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Prep cake: Using a hand or stand mixer, cream the ½ c softened butter with ¾ c granulated sugar and ¼ c brown sugar until incorporated and fluffy. Add 2 eggs and vanilla, then mix again. Add half and half and mix just until incorporated. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, and 1/8 tsp salt. Fold flour mixture into the wet ingredients, making sure not to overmix.
Assemble and bake: Add cake batter to prepared pan, smoothing the top so that the batter is even. Add the cinnamon apples in one even layer on top of the batter. Finally, distribute the streusel on top of the cinnamon apples so that the cake is covered. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a knife comes out clean. If you have a kitchen thermometer, the cake is done when the center registers 200 degrees F. Allow to cool, then slice and serve alongside your favorite tea or coffee.
