This Oatmeal Streusel Apple Coffee Cake is a delightful twist on classic apple cake recipes, perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack. You’ll love the tender cake, spiced apples, and crumbly oat streusel topping. This recipe is simple to follow and guarantees a cozy, delicious treat.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions:
- Apples: Use firm, tart-sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji.
- Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats work best for the streusel, avoiding instant oats.
- Brown Sugar: Essential for the streusel and apple filling. Light or dark brown sugar is fine.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred for better control of saltiness.
Ingredients:
For the Streusel:
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
For the Apple Filling:
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 3 cups)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Coffee Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 1/4 cup milk
How Much Time Will You Need?
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Cook time: 40-45 minutes
- Total time: 65-70 minutes
- Servings: 8-10
- Tools needed: 9-inch square baking pan, mixing bowls, whisk, electric mixer (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Make the Oatmeal Streusel Topping
In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter and use your fingertips or a pastry blender to mix until coarse crumbs form. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Apple Filling
In another bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat the apples evenly.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients for the Cake
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
5. Cream Wet Ingredients for the Cake
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
6. Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add half of the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Stir in the sour cream and milk. Then, add the remaining dry ingredients, mixing until just incorporated – be careful not to overmix.
7. Assemble the Coffee Cake
Spread half of the cake batter evenly into your prepared pan. Spoon the spiced apple filling over the batter. Top with the remaining cake batter, spreading it carefully to cover the apples. Sprinkle the streusel mixture generously over the top.
8. Bake Your Apple Coffee Cake
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and the streusel crisp.
9. Cool and Serve
Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the cake to set properly.
Variation Ideas:
- Nutty Streusel: Add 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel mixture for extra crunch.
- Spice It Up: Include a pinch of ground cardamom or allspice with the cinnamon and nutmeg for a more complex flavor profile.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: Before adding the streusel, dollop spoonfuls of a sweetened cream cheese mixture (4 oz softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg yolk) over the top batter and swirl gently with a knife.
- Glaze Finish: Drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze (1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tbsp milk) over the cooled cake for extra sweetness.
Storage Instructions:
Store leftover Oatmeal Streusel Apple Coffee Cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can gently reheat individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds for a warm, fresh-baked taste.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use frozen apples?
It’s best to use fresh apples for the best texture and flavor. Frozen apples can release too much moisture and make the cake soggy.
How do I prevent the streusel from becoming soggy?
Ensure your butter is cold when making the streusel, and don’t overmix it. Baking the cake thoroughly also helps.
What kind of apples are best for this recipe?
Firm, slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, or Braeburn work wonderfully as they hold their shape and provide good flavor.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare the streusel and apple filling a day in advance and store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake the cake just before you plan to serve it.
My cake is too dense, what went wrong?
Overmixing the batter can lead to a dense cake. Mix until just combined. Ensure your leavening agents (baking powder and soda) are fresh.
Can I bake this in a round pan?
Yes, a 9-inch round springform pan or cake pan can be used. Baking times might vary slightly, so check for doneness with a wooden skewer.