Coffee Cake with Apples: A Warm & Cozy Recipe

Are you craving a comforting treat that's both delicious and easy to make? Look no further than this irresistible coffee cake with apples recipe! This recipe combines the rich, nutty flavor of a classic coffee cake with the sweet, tart taste of juicy apples. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack, this cake is guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it perfect for a spontaneous baking session. Here's what you'll need:

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended), peeled, cored, and diced

For the Crumble Topping:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Follow these easy steps to bake the perfect apple coffee cake:

1. Prepare the Batter:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a tender crumb.
• Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
• In a small bowl, gently whisk together the buttermilk and diced apples.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined – don't overmix!

2. Make the Crumble Topping:

• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Bake the Cake:

• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
• Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the batter.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

4. Cool and Serve:

• Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the cake to set and prevents crumbling.
• Dust with powdered sugar (optional) for an extra touch of sweetness and elegance.

Tips for the Best Apple Coffee Cake:

• Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough cake.
• Use cold butter for the crumble: Cold butter creates a flakier, more delicious crumble topping.
• Choose your apples wisely: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples provide a good balance of sweetness and tartness.
• Adjust sweetness to your liking: If you prefer a sweeter cake, add a little extra sugar to the batter or topping.
• Serve warm: This coffee cake is best enjoyed warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

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