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    Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

    October 21, 2024 by Style Sweet 11 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Add this Caramel Apple Coffee Cake to your fall baking list! Thanks to hefty amounts of brown sugar, diced apples, and sour cream, this cake extra moist and delicious. It has a buttery crumb topping that is made even better with a drizzle of caramel sauce.

    Caramel apple coffee cake with a few slices removed

    Steps for Making Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

    • First, make the streusel topping: the topping will chill in the refrigerator as the batter is made.
    • Next, make the cake batter
    • Bake!
    • Meanwhile, cook the caramel sauce: the caramel can be made while the cake bakes and cools. It can also be made in advance.
    • Drizzle and serve!
    Pour caramel sauce on an apple coffee cake

    What is Apple Coffee Cake?

    Coffee cake is a moist, streusel-topped cake that is served with coffee or tea. It typically does not contain coffee in the recipe, but rather it is paired with fruit, warm spices, and sometimes nuts.

    Although a coffee-flavored coffee cake does sound delicious, this caramel apple coffee cake is studded with diced apples and served with salted caramel sauce. 

    Slice this cake into thick, sturdy pieces and enjoy all day long.

    An overhead image of a caramel apple coffee cake with a few slices removed

    Ingredients In Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

    Here is a quick glance at some of the ingredients needed beyond basic pantry staples. Find a complete list with quantities in the full recipe to follow.

    • Brown sugar
    • Ground cinnamon
    • Butter
    • Sour cream - you can substitute with buttermilk or Greek yogurt
    • Apples - use an assortment of tart and sweet apple, skin on is fine
    • Heavy cream

    I kept the ingredients pretty simple - apples, brown sugar, and a bit of cinnamon. You could add oats or nuts to your streusel, but sometimes a buttery crumb topping (and lots of it) is all you need. 

    TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED

    These are the primary tools you will need to bake this cake. I've listed my recommended cake decorating equipment too.

    • 10-inch tube pan
    • Hand or stand mixer
    • Heavy-bottomed saucepan
    • Whisk
    • General kitchen tools (measuring spoons, cups, etc).

    Love caramel and apple together? Try this Caramel Apple Spice Cake next!

    A thick slice of caramel apple coffee cake

    What size pan can I use to make apple coffee cake?

    Using a 10-inch tube pan means that that the thick cake bakes more evenly. I love the look of the ring and how it cuts into nice slices.

    I have not tested this recipe in a different pan size, but I suspect it might work split into two loaf pans. Check for doneness at 35 minutes.

    This recipe may also be really awesome as a sheet cake, cut into squares. If using a 9x13-inch pan, check for doneness around 30 minutes.

    What are the best apples for baking?

    For the apples, I recommend Granny Smith, Gala, or Honeycrisp.

    Try to select something sweet yet tart and sturdy. Even a combination of apples will work!

    Slice the peeled apples into ½ to ¼-inch pieces then cut into thirds. It is okay if they are not all uniform in size; the smaller pieces will nearly melt into the batter as it bakes.

    What pan can I use for apple coffee cake?

    Use a 10-inch tube pan for even cooking throughout the cake. You can also bake it as a 9X13-inch sheet cake.

    What are the best apple for baking cake?

    Use a combination of tart and sweet apple that retain some texture like Granny Smith, Honeycrip, or Gala apples.

    An overhead image of a caramel apple coffee cake with a few slices removed

    Serving and Storage

    This is a rather thick cake and will need plenty of time to cool before slicing, so plan accordingly. Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    The caramel sauce may be made in advance. Gently warm in the microwave until pourable.

    Store leftover caramel sauce in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks.

    More Apple Recipes to Try

    • Apple Rose Tart
    • Apple Blueberry Pie
    • Caramel Apple Spice Cake
    Pumpkin Coffee Cream Cheese Cake

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    Recipe

    An apple coffee cake baked in a tube pan with dripped caramel sauce over the top
    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

    Thank hefty amounts of brown sugar, diced apples, and sour cream for keeping this Caramel Apple Coffee Cake extra moist.
    Prep Time40 minutes mins
    Total Time1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: caramel apple, coffee cake
    Servings: 10

    Ingredients

    Crumb Topping

    • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 6 tablespoon unsalted butter softened

    Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • 2 heaping cups diced apples peeled

    Salted Caramel Sauce

    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 tablespoon light corn syrup
    • 2 tablespoon water
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter diced
    • ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    Crumb Topping

    • In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the flour, sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Add the butter and mix on medium-low speed until the mixture combines and clumps of dough form. When done, the mixture should hold together when given a good squeeze. 
    • Scrape the clumps of crumb topping into a bowl and place in the refrigerator as you prepare the cake batter.

    Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan and set aside.
    • In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
    • Using the stand mixer bowl from earlier (no need to wash after making the crumb topping), place in the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Using the paddle attachment, mix the butter and sugars together on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
    • With the mixer on medium-low, add in the eggs, one at a time. Allow each egg to fully incorporate before adding the next. Add the vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
    • Turn the mixer on low speed, add in half of the dry ingredients and mix until incorporated. Add in the sour cream and mix until combined. Next, add in the remaining dry ingredients and mix until incorporated. A few streaks of dry flour is okay.
    • Stop the mixer and fold in the diced apples. 
    • Scoop the batter into the prepared pan. The batter will be thick. Smooth it out with a spatula or the back of a spoon. 
    • Remove the crumb topping from the refrigerator and sprinkle it in large clumps all over the top of the batter. Place the cake on top of a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the thickest part of the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
    • Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack before removing it from the tube pan.
    • Drizzle the cake with caramel sauce before serving.

    Salted Caramel Sauce

    • Place the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and gently swirl together to combine. Bring the sugar mixture to a boil over high heat, without stirring. Cook until the bubbles begin to slow down and the sugar mixture turns a medium golden amber color.
    • Remove the caramel from the heat and very carefully whisk in the heavy cream. The mixture will bubble up and steam, so use caution. 
    • Add in the butter, salt, and vanilla extract and mix until combined. 
    • Transfer the caramel to a heat-safe jar or container and allow to cool at room temperature. The caramel will thicken as it cools. Store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
    • After being refrigerated, the caramel will harden. To serve, microwave the caramel until pourable.

    Notes

    This is a rather thick cake and will need plenty of time to cool before slicing, so plan accordingly. Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    The caramel sauce may be made in advance. Gently warm in the microwave until pourable.
    Store leftover caramel sauce in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks.
    « Apple Cinnamon Cake
    Easy and Moist Cardamom Cake »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. alice patton

      October 13, 2022 at 5:01 pm

      5 stars
      my guests loved it. so easy to follow and bake. i cant wait to make it again!!!

      Reply
    2. Tabitha

      October 13, 2022 at 8:29 pm

      5 stars
      I baked this for my office and everyone begged me for the recipe. I just had to send out a link 😉

      Reply
    3. LOUISE

      October 13, 2022 at 9:02 pm

      5 stars
      WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE

      Reply
    4. Dahlia Jacobs

      August 24, 2023 at 2:56 am

      5 stars
      This cake is so incredibly moist and delicious! Such a great weekday treat. Thank you!

      Reply
    5. sandro

      August 28, 2023 at 4:29 pm

      5 stars
      super duper coffee cake recipe

      Reply
    6. Elsie

      October 05, 2023 at 3:36 pm

      5 stars
      I love at fall. And caramel is very good. So moist!

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Funfetti Coffee Cake - Style Sweet says:
      August 3, 2022 at 5:29 pm

      […] Caramel Apple Coffee Cake […]

      Reply
    2. French Apple Rose Tart with frangipane - Style Sweet says:
      August 19, 2022 at 4:05 pm

      […] Caramel Apple Coffee Cake […]

      Reply
    3. Caramel Apple Spice Cake - Style Sweet says:
      August 19, 2022 at 4:08 pm

      […] Caramel Apple Coffee Cake […]

      Reply
    4. Apple Cinnamon Cake - Style Sweet says:
      October 7, 2022 at 3:47 am

      […] Apple Rose Tart […]

      Reply
    5. Caramel Pecan Pie without Corn Syrup - Style Sweet says:
      November 1, 2022 at 2:51 am

      […] often put a squirt of corn syrup in my salted caramel sauce to keep the sugar from crystallizing. But with this pecan pie without corn syrup, I used a dry […]

      Reply

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    Tessa Huff

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