Name: Apple Coffee Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature); 1 cup granulated sugar; ⅔ cup light brown sugar; 3 large eggs; 1 tbsp halal vanilla extract (alcohol-free); ¾ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt; 1 cup whole milk; 3⅔ cups all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp baking powder; 2 tsp kosher salt; 3 cups diced apples (peeled & cored); ½ cup light brown sugar; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 4½ tbsp unsalted butter (melted); ½ cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup light brown sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ¼ tsp kosher salt; ¼ cup chopped nuts (optional, halal)

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Are you searching for a delicious, comforting dessert that is perfect for any time of day? The classic apple coffee cake recipe is exactly what you need! This cake is famous for its three amazing layers: a soft, buttery cake base, a warm spiced apple filling, and a crunchy, sweet crumb topping.

This guide will show you how to make the ultimate homemade apple coffee cake using simple ingredients. Our recipe is 100% halal, easy to follow for beginners, and guarantees a moist, bakery-style taste that everyone in your family will love, whether it’s served for breakfast, tea time, or dessert.

What Is Apple Coffee Cake?

Many people think a coffee cake has coffee inside, but the truth is different! A coffee cake is actually a dessert that is traditionally served with coffee or tea. It is usually a single-layer cake, often topped with sweet, crunchy streusel (crumb topping) and sometimes filled with fruit or nuts.

The apple coffee cake recipe is special because it layers three different textures:

Soft Cake: The base is tender, buttery, and moist.
Spiced Filling: A sweet and tart filling made from diced apples and warm cinnamon.
Crumb Topping: A thick, rich layer of butter, flour, and brown sugar crumbs that adds crunch and flavor.

The combination of sweet apples and warm cinnamon makes this cake the perfect partner for your morning or evening cup of tea or coffee.

Why This Apple Coffee Cake Recipe Is Special

This specific easy apple coffee cake recipe is designed for perfect results every time, following trusted baking principles and halal safety rules.

Moist Texture: We use a special combination of sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and whole milk in the batter. This adds necessary fat and moisture, ensuring the cake remains incredibly soft and does not become dry even after a few days.
Halal Safety: Every ingredient, from the butter to the vanilla extract, is verified to be halal. We strictly avoid alcohol-based flavorings and haram fats, making this a fully family-friendly treat.
Rich Crumb Topping: The crumb topping is balanced perfectly with melted butter and brown sugar, giving it that professional, bakery-style taste that makes this homemade apple coffee cake stand out.
Beginner-Friendly: The instructions are broken down into simple steps, so even if you have never baked a cake before, you can achieve a soft, delicious result.

Ingredients for Apple Coffee Cake Recipe (Halal)

To make this delicious apple coffee cake recipe, you need three sets of ingredients. All ingredients are halal and safe.

A. Coffee Cake Batter

Ingredient	Quantity	Note
Unsalted Butter, room temp.	1 cup	Softened butter is key for creaming.
Granulated Sugar	1 cup
Light Brown Sugar	2/3 cup	Adds moisture and a caramel flavor.
Large Eggs	3
Vanilla Extract	1 tablespoon	Must be alcohol-free or halal certified.
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt	3/4 cup	Essential for moistness.
Whole Milk	1 cup
All-Purpose Flour	3-2/3 cups
Baking Powder	1 tablespoon
Kosher Salt	2 teaspoons	Balances the sweetness.

B. Apple Filling (Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake)

Ingredient	Quantity	Note
Diced Apples, peeled and cored	3 cups	Granny Smith (tart) or Honeycrisp (sweet) work best.
Light Brown Sugar	1/2 cup
Ground Cinnamon	2 teaspoons	Essential for the apple cinnamon coffee cake flavor.

C. Crumb Topping

Ingredient	Quantity	Note
Unsalted Butter, melted	4-1/2 tablespoons	Should be fully melted.
All-Purpose Flour	1/2 cup
Light Brown Sugar	1/2 cup
Ground Cinnamon	1 teaspoon
Kosher Salt	1/4 teaspoon
Chopped Nuts (Optional)	1/4 cup	Walnuts or almonds (halal).

Step-by-Step Instructions for Homemade Apple Coffee Cake

Follow these clear, simple steps to bake your perfect homemade apple coffee cake.

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan well. Line the bottom with parchment paper and grease the paper too.

Step 2: Make the Crumb Topping

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the crumb topping. Pour in the melted butter and mix it with a fork until large, coarse crumbs form. If you are using nuts, mix them in now. Set the topping aside.

Step 3: Mix the Cake Batter

In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. In a small separate bowl, whisk together the milk and sour cream. In a third bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 4: Combine and Prepare Filling

Alternate adding the wet mixture (milk/sour cream) and the dry mixture (flour) to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix only until the batter is just combined—do not overmix. Next, in a small bowl, toss the diced apples with the cinnamon and brown sugar.

Step 5: Layer and Bake

Pour about two-thirds of the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Gently spread the apple filling over the batter layer. Pour the remaining one-third of the batter over the apples (it is okay if it doesn’t cover everything perfectly). Finally, sprinkle the entire crumb topping evenly over the cake.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake the homemade apple coffee cake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing. Cooling ensures clean slices.

Baking Tips for Perfect Apple Coffee Cake

To ensure your apple coffee cake recipe is moist and perfect every time, use these expert tips:

Avoid Dry Cake: The biggest secret to moisture is using room-temperature ingredients and not overmixing the batter after adding the flour.
Correct Apple Size: Dice the apples into small, even pieces (about 1/2 inch). If the pieces are too big, they can weigh down the cake, causing it to sink.
The Doneness Test: Since this is a deep cake, test for doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If it has wet batter, bake for 5 more minutes.
Clean Slices: Always wait until the cake is fully cooled before slicing. If you try to cut it warm, the soft cake and moist filling will crumble apart.

Health Benefits of Apple Coffee Cake

While this is a dessert, the apple coffee cake recipe offers some nutritional benefits compared to processed bakery items:

Fiber Boost: The apples provide significant fiber (pectin), which is great for digestion and helps you feel full.
Natural Spices: Cinnamon is known to help regulate blood sugar levels and has anti-inflammatory benefits.
Better Control: Since you are baking it at home, you have full control over the ingredients and can choose to reduce the sugar slightly or use Greek yogurt for extra protein.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

This apple cinnamon coffee cake is excellent for preparing ahead of time.

Room Temperature: Store the cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator Storage: For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing: You can freeze the baked cake! Wrap cooled, unsliced cake tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Reheating: Serve warm! Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 15 seconds or in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.

Is Apple Coffee Cake Halal?

Yes, this apple coffee cake recipe is 100% halal.

We ensure compliance by:

Vanilla Extract: Using an alcohol-free or certified halal vanilla extract. Standard vanilla extracts contain alcohol and should be avoided.
Fats: Using pure unsalted butter. No non-halal animal fats or gelatin are used.
Ingredients: All other ingredients (flour, sugar, eggs, apples) are naturally permissible (halal). This makes it perfectly suitable for Muslim families and anyone looking for a clean, safe dessert.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overmixing Batter: Mixing too much after adding the flour develops gluten quickly, resulting in a tough, chewy cake instead of a soft one.
Using Too Many Apples: If the filling is too thick or too wet, the bottom of the cake will become soggy and won’t bake properly. Stick to the 3 cups of diced apples.
Skipping Crumb Topping Balance: Ensure the crumb topping is crumbly and not too moist. If it looks greasy, add a bit more flour.
Baking at Wrong Temperature: Baking too hot will burn the topping before the center of the cake is done. Use the correct 350°F temperature.

FAQs – Apple Coffee Cake Recipe

Q1: Can I make this apple coffee cake recipe without sour cream?

A: Yes, you can use Greek yogurt or buttermilk as a substitute. Greek yogurt works best because it adds both protein and moisture, making the cake very tender.

Q2: Which apples are best for apple coffee cake recipe?

A: A mix of apples works best. Granny Smith (slightly tart) is excellent, but you can also use sweeter types like Honeycrisp or Gala.

Q3: Is this apple coffee cake recipe halal?

A: Yes, it is fully halal. We ensure the use of pure butter and specifically call for alcohol-free vanilla extract.

Q4: Can I freeze apple coffee cake?

A: Yes, this homemade apple coffee cake freezes very well for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly before placing it in the freezer.

Q5: Does apple coffee cake contain coffee?

A: No, it is called coffee cake because it is traditionally served as a snack with coffee or tea, not because it has coffee in the ingredients.

Q6: How can I make this apple coffee cake recipe less sweet?

A: You can reduce the granulated sugar in the cake batter by $\frac{1}{4}$ cup, but keep the brown sugar amounts the same to maintain the moisture and chewiness.

Conclusion

This apple coffee cake recipe is truly the best; it’s easy, incredibly moist, and completely halal. It is a fantastic dessert that brings warmth and comfort to any gathering. By following these simple steps, you can create a beautiful apple cinnamon coffee cake with a perfect, crunchy crumb topping. Encourage yourself to try this easy apple coffee cake at home today; your family will love this simple, homemade treat!