There is something truly special about the smell of a cake baking in the oven. It fills the whole house with a warm, comforting hug. Now, imagine that cake is a soft, moist maple coffee cake with a river of apple cinnamon goodness running right through the middle. Sounds pretty amazing, right?
This recipe is my go to for lazy weekend mornings, surprise guests, or when I just need a little pick me up. It’s one of those fantastic quick coffee cake recipes that tastes like you spent all day on it. But you and I will know the secret. It is wonderfully simple to make.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? This cake is the perfect blend of textures and flavors. You get a super tender, buttery cake that practically melts in your mouth. It is so satisfying.
Then you have that incredible swirl of spiced apples. The cinnamon and brown sugar create a sweet, gooey layer that complements the cake perfectly. It’s like a warm hug in every single bite.
It’s also incredibly versatile. While I am calling it a maple coffee cake, the base is a classic apple coffee cake. You can easily adjust the flavors to your liking. Plus, it makes your kitchen smell absolutely divine while it bakes.
This is one of those cinnamon coffee cake recipes easy enough for a total beginner. No fancy equipment or complicated steps are needed. It’s also a wonderful treat for a special occasion. A coffee cake birthday is a fantastic way to start a celebration!
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to gather. Most of these are probably already in your pantry, which is great news for a last minute baking adventure. Having everything ready makes the process so much smoother.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups chopped apples
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
For A True Maple Coffee Cake
To get that distinct maple flavor, you have a couple of options. You can replace half a cup of the granulated sugar with pure maple syrup. Or, for a more intense flavor, add one teaspoon of maple extract along with the vanilla. This little tweak transforms it into a true maple coffee cake.
Step By Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get our hands dirty! Follow these simple steps, and you will have a beautiful coffee cake ready in no time. It’s easier than you think, I promise.
Step 1: Prep Your Pan And Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a crucial step. A properly heated oven ensures your cake bakes evenly right from the start. Grab a 9 by 13 inch baking pan and grease it well. A little flour dusting helps too.
Step 2: Cream The Butter And Sugar
In a large bowl, it is time to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer if you have one. You want to beat them until the mixture is light in color and looks fluffy. This step adds air to the batter, which makes for a lighter cake.
Step 3: Add The Eggs And Vanilla
Next, beat in your eggs, but do it one at a time. Make sure each egg is fully mixed in before adding the next one. This helps create a stable emulsion. After the eggs are in, stir in the vanilla extract for that classic bakery flavor.
Step 4: Combine The Dry Ingredients
In a separate, medium sized bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking them together helps distribute the leavening agents evenly. This means no surprise salty or bitter bites in your final cake.
Step 5: Alternate Wet And Dry
Now for the fun part. You are going to gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet ingredients. Alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk. Start with the dry ingredients and end with them too. Mix only until everything is just combined. Overmixing is the enemy of a tender cake!
Step 6: Make The Apple Cinnamon Filling
In a small bowl, it is time to make the delicious filling. Combine the chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and that extra bit of flour. If you are using pecans, toss them in now. Give it a good stir. This mixture is what makes this easy coffee cake so special.
Step 7: Layer The Cake
Take about half of your cake batter and spread it evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just get a nice, even layer. This will be the foundation of your delicious maple coffee cake.
Step 8: Add The Filling
Sprinkle half of that yummy apple cinnamon mixture right over the batter. Try to distribute it evenly so every slice gets some of that gooey goodness. This layer is pure magic.
Step 9: Add The Second Layer
Carefully spread the remaining cake batter over the apple mixture. It can be a little tricky, so take your time. Dolloping it across the top and then gently spreading it can help. This creates that beautiful ribbon effect.
Step 10: Finish With The Topping
Finally, sprinkle the rest of the apple cinnamon mixture over the very top of the batter. This will create a lovely, slightly crunchy topping as it bakes. It is the perfect finishing touch.
Step 11: Bake To Perfection
Place your pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 45 to 55 minutes. You will know it is done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be a beautiful golden brown.
Step 12: Let It Cool
Patience is key here! Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. This allows it to set up. After that, you can transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving. It’s tough to wait, but worth it.
How To Store Leftovers
If you somehow have any leftovers, storing them is simple. Just cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to three days.
If you want it to last a bit longer, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week. A quick 10 seconds in the microwave can bring a slice back to that warm, fresh from the oven feeling. It is a delightful treat any time of day.
Tips
Want to make your maple coffee cake even better? Here are a few little secrets. First, make sure your butter, eggs, and buttermilk are all at room temperature. This helps everything combine smoothly for a better texture.
Do not overmix the batter once you add the flour. Mixing too much develops the gluten in the flour, which can make your cake tough and dense instead of light and fluffy. Mix just until you no longer see streaks of flour.
For the apples, choose a variety that holds its shape well when baked. Honeycrisp, Gala, or Braeburn are all excellent choices. If you like a little tartness, Granny Smith apples are a fantastic option too.
If you are a fan of sour cream apple cake, feel free to swap the buttermilk for an equal amount of sour cream. This will give the cake a slightly richer, tangier flavor that is absolutely delicious. It is a great way to make an apple coffee cake recipes sour cream version.
You can even turn this recipe into a Cinnamon Coffee Cake Bread. Just divide the batter between two greased loaf pans and adjust the baking time accordingly. They will likely need a little less time, so start checking them around the 35 minute mark.
For a different twist, you could even try making an Applesauce Coffee Cake. Replace half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce for a lighter, extra moist cake. It’s a fun experiment!
Conclusion
And there you have it! A simple, delicious, and incredibly satisfying maple coffee cake that is sure to become a family favorite. It’s the kind of recipe you will come back to again and again.
Whether you enjoy it with your morning coffee, as an afternoon snack, or for a special celebration, this cake delivers. It proves that you do not need complicated recipes to create something truly wonderful. So go ahead, preheat that oven and get baking!
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Pan Size?
You certainly can. If you use a smaller pan, like a 9 by 9 inch square pan, the cake will be thicker and will need more time to bake. Start checking it around the 55 minute mark. If you use loaf pans for a Cinnamon Coffee Cake Bread, they will likely bake faster.
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely! This is a great cake to make a day in advance. Just let it cool completely and then cover it tightly. It will be just as delicious the next day, and the flavors might even be a little better as they have time to meld together.
What Are The Best Apples For An Apple Coffee Cake Recipes Sour Cream Style Cake?
For any version of this cake, including one made with sour cream, you want firm apples. Honeycrisp, Gala, and Fuji are great sweet options. For a bit of tartness to balance the sweetness, Granny Smith apples are the perfect choice. They all hold their shape beautifully.
How Do I Know When The Cake Is Done?
The best way to check for doneness is the classic toothpick test. Insert a wooden toothpick or a skewer into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, with no wet batter attached, your cake is ready. The top should also be a lovely golden brown and spring back when you gently touch it.
Maple Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Enjoy the comforting aroma and delicious taste of this quick and easy maple apple cinnamon coffee cake. It’s a perfectly moist, tender cake with a delightful spiced apple swirl, ideal for lazy weekend mornings or any time you need a sweet treat.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy using a mixer.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
- In a small bowl, combine the chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and the additional 1/4 cup of flour. Stir in chopped pecans if using.
- Spread half of the cake batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle half of the apple cinnamon mixture over the batter.
- Carefully spread the remaining batter over the apple mixture. Dollop it on and gently spread to cover.
- Sprinkle the remaining apple cinnamon mixture over the top of the batter.
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For a true maple flavor, replace half a cup of granulated sugar with pure maple syrup or add 1 teaspoon of maple extract along with the vanilla.
Ensure butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature for smooth batter combining.
Do not overmix the batter after adding flour, as this can result in a tough cake.
Use firm apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Braeburn. Granny Smith apples add a nice tartness.
For a richer, tangier cake, substitute buttermilk with an equal amount of sour cream.
To make Cinnamon Coffee Cake Bread, divide batter between two greased loaf pans and adjust baking time (start checking around 35 minutes).
For an Applesauce Coffee Cake, replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce for a lighter, moist cake.
Nutrition
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