The combination of apples and cinnamon can make any kitchen smell like pure comfort. This apple fritter coffee cake takes all the cozy flavors of a bakery-style apple fritter and transforms them into a soft, buttery cake that’s perfect for sharing. With a layer of juicy apples tucked inside, a cinnamon-sugar swirl running through the middle, every slice feels like a hug in dessert form. It’s the kind of bake that works as well for a weekend breakfast as it does for an after-dinner treat with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is to put together while still feeling a little special. The apples caramelize beautifully as the cake bakes, giving you those irresistible bursts of sweetness, while the warm spice flavor adds that bakery-style touch we all crave. Whether you’re serving it warm out of the oven for brunch, bringing it along to a potluck, or sneaking a slice as a midnight snack, this apple fritter coffee cake has a way of disappearing quickly—so don’t be surprised if everyone comes back for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bakery flavor at home – It has all the cozy flavors of a classic apple fritter but baked into an easy coffee cake you can whip up in your own kitchen.
- Perfect texture – Soft, tender cake layered with juicy apples, a cinnamon-sugar swirl, and a sweet glaze on top.
- Crowd-pleasing – Ideal for brunch, holidays, potlucks, or just a cozy weekend treat—everyone will want a second slice.
- Simple ingredients – Uses pantry staples and fresh apples, no need for anything fancy.
- Make-ahead friendly – Stays moist for days, so you can bake it in advance and still enjoy that fresh-from-the-bakery taste.
Ingredients:
Cake Batter
- Flour— 2-1/2 cups
- 2 Eggs
- Brown Sugar— 1 cup (packed)
- White Sugar— 1 cup
- Cornstarch— 1 tablespoon
- Vegetable Oil— 1/2 cup
- Sour Cream— 1/2 cup
- Baking Soda— 1 teaspoon
- Baking Powder— 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt— 1 teaspoon
- Vanilla Extract— 1 tablespoon
- Cinnamon— 1 teaspoon
- Ground Ginger— 1 teaspoon
- Nutmeg— 1/4 teaspoon
Apple Filling
- Diced Apples— 1-1/2 cups ( 3-4 medium apples)
- Butter— 3 tablespoons
- Sugar— 3 tablespoons
Streusel Topping
- Flour— 1 cup
- White Sugar— 3/4 cup
- Brown Butter— 5 tablespoons (cooled)
- Vanilla Extract— 1/2 tablespoon
- Salt— 1/2 teaspoon
- Pinch of Cinnamon (optional)
What You’ll Need
- 3 Mixing Bowls
- Medium Saucepan
- 9 Inch Spring Form Pans
How to Make Apple Fritter Coffee Cake
- First, preheat oven to 350F.
- Prepare the streusel by combining flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon then slowly mix in cooled brown butter and vanilla extract. The mixture should look like wet sand, if it’s too wet, add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time. Set the streusel aside in refrigerator while the cake batter is being made.
- For apple filling, cook down the diced apples with butter and sugar in a medium saucepan. Allow them to soften (this should take about 5 minutes). Pour the mixture into a bowl then set aside.
- Now to prepare the cake batter, in a large mixing bowl whisk together eggs, oil, sour cream, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Fold in flour, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Grease or line a 9 inch spring form pan with parchment paper then evenly pour in cake batter. Top evenly with apple filling including any leftover “juices” from the cooking process. Top evenly with streusel.
- Bake for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Carefully remove the outer shell of the spring form pan and allow the cake to cool completely.
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