BEST Easy Apple Coffee Cake with Crumble Topping (2024)

Published: May 30, 2012 · Modified: May 24, 2024

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

This recipe for fresh apple coffee cake is perfect for a Fall morning treat. The moist and flavorful cake is topped with a sweet and crumbly topping made of brown sugar, flour, nutmeg and cinnamon. The addition of chopped walnuts gives the cake an extra crunchy texture and nutty flavor. This easy-to-make cake can be enjoyed fresh out of the oven or stored in an airtight container for later.

We don’t seem to take enough coffee breaks these days. How did it happen that our worlds became so rushed? I remember growing up and being at my great-aunt’s house and watching her bake.

Mariskaneni-my aunt- always had a sweet Hungarian cake ready for her friends that would come over for a visit and a good chat. There was great conversation and delicious desserts to be shared with her company. And always some steaming hot coffee. I need to do that a little more over here.

WHAT EXACTLY IS COFFEE CAKE?

Coffee cake is a sweet cake that is typically served with coffee. It can be enjoyed for breakfast, brunch or as a dessert. The cake is often made with a streusel topping or crumb topping.

INGREDIENTS FOR APPLE COFFEE CAKE

water
egg
shortening
bread flour
salt
cinnamon
brown sugar, packed
(1 packet) active dry yeast
apple, peeled, chopped or shredded
walnuts, chopped (cake is also delicious when you omit walnuts)
brown sugar, packed
all-purpose flour
nutmeg
cinnamon
butter, softened

WHAT IS THE BEST APPLE TO USE IN A CAKE?

For this cake, I like to use Granny Smith apples. They are tart and firm, which makes them ideal for baking. You can also use Honeycrisp apples or Golden Delicious apples.

BEST Easy Apple Coffee Cake with Crumble Topping (2)

I am very happy to announce I will be partneringwith Red Star Yeast in the next few months. Red Star Yeast is a brand I love to use for recipes that require yeast. It seemed natural to be baking some of their recipes here and sharing them with my readers.

If you’ve ready my blog for a while, you may have noticed that I’m comfortable baking with yeast. Some recent recipes I made: Caramelized Onion and Cherry Tomato Focaccia, Raisin Focaccia, Italian Easter Bread, Pandolce Genovese, and a Christmas Stollen.

The cake is so easy to make and rises up nicely. It is sweet and moist from the apples and the crumble topping is wonderful. Perfect for an afternoon coffee break and delightful for breakfast.

More Recipes like this:

Fresh Plum Quick Bread
Caramelized Apple Bundt Cake
Apple Cider Donut Cake

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

The Best Easy Fresh Apple Coffee Cake with Crumble Topping

This delicious Apple Coffee Cake recipe is made from scratch using only real ingredients. It’s perfect for breakfast or dessert!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Author: Lora

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 egg
2 tbsp shortening
2 3/4 cup bread flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon (I used 1 tsp)
1/3 cup brown sugar packed
2 1/4 tsp active dried yeast 1 packet
1 cup apple, peeled, chopped or shredded
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (cake is also delicious when you omit walnuts)

Topping

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup butter softened

Instructions

Preheat Oven to 375ºF.
Grease and flour (or spray with baking spray) a tube pan or a 9-inch square cake pan.
In saucepan, heat water and shortening until very warm (120°-130° F; shortening does not need to melt). In large mixer bowl, combine 1+1/2 cups flour, yeast, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon; mix well. Add water with the shortening to the flour mixture. Add egg. Blend at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. With a spatula, mix in the remaining flour, the apples and walnuts a little at a time until combined and you have a soft batter.
Prepare Topping:Combine brown sugar, flour, and spices. Mix the butter in with your hands until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle topping over the dough.
Cover; let rise in warm place about 30 (I let mine rise about 45 minutes) minutes. Bake at 375º F for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.

Nutrition Disclaimer

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.

Tried this recipe?Mention @savoringitaly or tag #savoringitaly!

Disclosure – This post was sponsored by Red Star Yeast. All opinions are my own.

BEST Easy Apple Coffee Cake with Crumble Topping (6)

« Nonna Mary’s Ciambella from Hazan Family Favorites

Easy Strawberry and Ricotta Tarts {crostate di fragole e ricotta} »

Reader Interactions

Comments

A Thought For Food says
May 30, 2012 at 3:39 am

After this crazy month, I'm totally making this cake when I get back! Looks incredible'
Reply
simple baking says
May 30, 2012 at 9:18 am

oooh I would love a piece of that cake with my coffee!! The crumble topping looks perfect.
Reply
Carolyn says
May 30, 2012 at 9:43 am
See Also
Have You Tried Ree's Favorite Crash Hot Potatoes?Country Fried Steaks Asparagus & Feta Quinoa Salad Spaghetti With Fried Eggs Recipe

Coffee and tea time breaks...those are up my alley. If you lived nearby, I'd have you over for tea! Love the cake, Lora.
Reply
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
May 30, 2012 at 5:29 pm

Wow, this looks delish - I love all the apples and the golden crumble topping!
Reply
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
May 30, 2012 at 6:31 pm

*droool* I'm so glad I don't have that sitting on my counter. I have no self control with apple recipes lol
Reply
Winnie says
May 30, 2012 at 6:57 pm

It looks wonderful!
Does it keep fresh and moist for a few days? Or does it have to be refrigerated and warmed before serving?
Reply
- Savoring Italy says
  May 30, 2012 at 7:05 pm
  
  Thanks, Winnie:) I've never had it around longer than 2 days so I can't honestly tell you;)We had it the 2nd day again and it was still moist:)
- Winnie says
  May 30, 2012 at 7:46 pm
  
  Thanks for your quick reply
  I want it for Fri-night and Sat. so I think the best way for me would be to bake it on Fri morning
  Thanks again 🙂
- Savoring Italy says
  May 30, 2012 at 7:57 pm
  
  You're welcome. The 2nd time I left out the walnuts and it was still wonderful. 🙂
Jennifer says
May 30, 2012 at 7:28 pm

I love coffee cakes, and I love apple desserts. What a perfect combo!
Reply
Paula says
May 30, 2012 at 10:33 pm

This is really interesting to me that you would make a coffee cake using yeast. It looks delicious and I'm sure it is packed with flavour.
Congratulations on this partnership with Red Star Yeast. I'm looking forward to more of your great recipes 🙂
Reply
Tania @ A Perfect Pantry says
May 30, 2012 at 11:57 pm

I love coffee cakes with apple or pear in them... it just gives them that fresh sweet taste with each mouthful. Thanks for sharing. I have a few extra apples in the fridge, so I might try this out.
Reply
Rachel says
May 31, 2012 at 12:02 am

This cake sounds lovely! I like how yeasted coffee cakes often contain a more reasonable amount of sugar and butter than other coffee cakes, plus you get some of that chewy, bready texture. Yeah, I just talked myself into making this.
Reply
Happy When Not Hungry says
May 31, 2012 at 1:08 am

This looks beautiful! I love coffee cakes. Yum!
Reply
Red Star Yeast says
May 31, 2012 at 1:22 am

The coffee cake looks irresistible! Thanks for showing how easy it is to bake with yeast 🙂
Reply
Amy says
May 31, 2012 at 1:56 am

This cake sounds awesome Lora! I love all of the apple goodness added to this, it would be perfect warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream :)!
Reply
See Also
Mini Pizza Recipe (Bread Machine Method)
- Savoring Italy says
  June 03, 2012 at 1:33 pm
  
  Thanks Amy-I agree! Nothing like apple cake with vanilla ice cream:)
sandi says
May 31, 2012 at 2:23 am

That looks so yummy!
Reply
Kim - Liv Life says
May 31, 2012 at 2:28 am

Fantastic recipe!! I don't usually do coffee cakes with yeast, but this one looks like a winner. Just like Red Star!!
Reply
Shulie says
May 31, 2012 at 3:15 am

Great recipe Lora. I baked million different apple cakes but never a yeast apple cake. I bet it tasted incredible. I would love aslice along with my herbal tea, please? 🙂 Congrats on your partnership with Resd Star Yeast! Yay!
Reply
Andrea G in Morgan Hill, CA says
May 31, 2012 at 4:20 am

Hi, I think it's great to make a coffee cake with fresh fruit and use yeast. On reading the recipe I couldn't find the ingredients for the topping. I looked it up on the red star yeast page. thanks for the idea!
Reply
Lael Hazan @educatedpalate says
May 31, 2012 at 9:18 am

Congrats on your partnership. I look forward to a yeast apple cake, something I've been meaning to try.
Reply
Meg {henninglove} says
May 31, 2012 at 4:45 pm

wow this cake looks amazing!! makes me wish i had a bundt pan so i could make this, i love the taste of apples in a coffee cake
Reply
Jenn Kendall says
May 31, 2012 at 6:47 pm

that looks like a delicious cake - i definitely need to try it!
Reply
Lisa says
May 31, 2012 at 10:04 pm

I don't see many cakes that contain yeast loking this moist! It reminds me of a cake my grandma used to make..it looks delicious and lovely! Congrats on partnering up with Red Star..looking forward to seeing and bookmarking (eventually making lol) all the treats you come up with! xoxo
Reply
Maureen @ org*smic Chef says
June 02, 2012 at 3:30 pm

I love fresh apple cake. I think we don't drop by for coffee enough these days so people don't bake coffee cakes as much.
We're all working or blogging or attending events with kids and family. It's a sad tradition to lose. I'm glad you're keeping this cake alive. 🙂
Reply
Monet says
June 02, 2012 at 3:36 pm

Oh my...I want to make this now. You know how much I love apple desserts. And this one with yeast? I want it now! Thanks for sharing and inspiring me, my sweet friend. Sending hugs!
Reply
Lemons and Anchovies says
June 02, 2012 at 4:30 pm

I love all apple desserts--cakes, tarts, pies--I'll eat them all but I do like your version here best for breakfast or afternoon tea. I love the apple chunks dotting the cake. Looking forward to your other Red Star recipes. 🙂
Hope you're having a great weekend, Lora!
Reply
Jamie says
June 02, 2012 at 4:42 pm

What a gorgeous cake! But yeast? There's yeast in it? Beautiful! And believe me when I say that someone (ahem) loves apple coffee cakes and begs me regularly to make one: a favorite breakfast. So now this wonderful recipe is bookmarked. Delicious!!
Reply
Lilianna Grace says
June 03, 2012 at 3:01 am

I actually would love to make this tomorrow and while reveiewing the ingredients noticed a typo on the cinnamon used for the cake. I assume it's 1/2 tsp. cinnamon that is required?
Reply
- Savoring Italy says
  June 03, 2012 at 1:28 pm
  
  The original recipe calls for 1/2 tsp. I added 1 tsp because we love a little more cinnamon in our cakes:)Happy baking!
Mac says
June 03, 2012 at 12:22 pm

Apple and Cinnamon this looks and sounds really good can't wait to make this thanks for sharing Lora.
Reply
Anonymous says
June 03, 2012 at 10:24 pm

looks wonderful! What kind of apple did you use?
Reply
Mari says
June 05, 2012 at 12:09 am

A must do for me. Looks awesome Lora 🙂 Congratulations on your partnering with Red Star Yeast!
Hugs
Reply
Tickled Red says
June 06, 2012 at 6:09 pm

Coffee cakes are my favorite so I am making this one for sure. It looks so moist and scrumptious!
Reply
Kaera says
July 02, 2012 at 5:58 am

This coffee cake looks delicious. I love apples in desserts, they work so well with spices and when caramelized. I have to admit though, while I have no aversion to cooking with yeast, I tend to be a bit impatient with my sweets. Especially when I have a good recipe that doesn't take the added 45 min (http://kaerasmith.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/cinnamon-and-ginger-coffee-cake/). In your honest opinion, is the cake worth the wait?
Reply
- Savoring Italy says
  July 26, 2012 at 2:00 am
  
  I love the flavor from and fluffiness from the yeast and don't mind the wait. But I know what you mean about not being able to wait:)
Anonymous says
September 28, 2012 at 1:08 pm

Hi. I´ve found your blog when i was looking for a different recipe with apples and your seemed to be perfect, and it's much more than that. Thanks for share. Have a nice weekend and sorry my word mistakes.
You can see your recipe here 🙂
http://saborescomhistoria.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/aqui-tambem-e-outono-e-com-macas/
Reply
Leigh says
November 05, 2012 at 4:53 pm

I made this, this morning only I put the batter in muffin tins...Still delicious but thy aren't nearly as fluffy as the cake looks! I'll definately be making it in cake form in a couple days!!!
Reply
Lisa says
April 02, 2013 at 2:18 am

Why must you always post such beautiful and mouth-watering baked goods? Post something that looks gross so I don't feel the need to gorge every time I'm here, you diet killer you! OK, (regaining composure) this yeasted apple cake looks to be the perfect combination of fluffy bread and cake - perfection! Congrats on partnering with Red Star Yeast! xoxo
Reply
Ri says
October 23, 2022 at 12:06 pm

Looks scrumptious! But I don't use shortening or margarine. Can it be substituted with butter or oil?
Reply
- Lora says
  October 24, 2022 at 7:20 am
  
  Yes, this is a very old-fashioned recipe (hence, the shortening). Go ahead and use butter! Happy Baking! XX