Applesauce Coffee Cake Recipe

I love this applesauce coffee cake because it checks all the boxes—it’s easy to make, full of cozy flavor, and you can even make it ahead or freeze it for later. Adding shredded apple gives it a fresh twist that takes traditional coffee cake to a new level.

The warm spices make it the kind of comfort food you’ll crave on a chilly morning or slow weekend. And if you’re serving it warm? A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is a chef’s kiss—it pairs perfectly with the spiced crumb topping.

Recipe Ingredients

Recipe Notes

• Softened Butter – If using unsalted butter, add 1/2 tsp of salt to the dry ingredients.
• Eggs – Room temperature is best.
• Apple Whiskey (Optional) – That splash of whiskey adds great flavor and helps keep the cake extra moist. No whiskey? A little rum works too!
• Applesauce – Either sweetened or unsweetened applesauce will work.
• One medium (tart) apple – I prefer a Granny Smith or a Honeycrisp apple. I usually grate the apple, but if you’re in a hurry or like more texture, chopped apples work just fine.
• Raisins – Want a little extra sweetness and texture? Stir in a cup of raisins—they add a soft, juicy bite that works perfectly with the apple and spice.
• Pecans – Not a pecan fan, or don’t have any on hand? Swap them out for walnuts. Either one gives you that delicious crunch.
• Powdered Sugar Glaze – Sometimes I like to take it over the top with a quick glaze. Just mix 1 cup powdered sugar with ½ teaspoon vanilla and 1–2 tablespoons of milk, then drizzle it over the cooled cake.

Step-by-Step Directions with Process Shots

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350° and lightly coat a 9″ x 13″ baking pan with cooking spray.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a small bowl and set aside. Sift the flour for best results.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix to incorporate after each addition.

Step 4: Mix in sour cream, vanilla, apple whiskey (optional), grated apples and unsweetened apple sauce.

Step 5: Turn the speed to low and mix in half of the flour mixture at a time. Careful not to overmix.

Step 6: Mix roughly chopped pecans in with a spatula, transfer the batter to the prepared pan, and smooth it with a spatula.

Step 7: Combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Sprinkle crumble over the top of the batter.

Step 8: Bake until golden, about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.

Recipe

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Easy Applesauce Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Jill Machovsky

Easy Applesauce Coffee Cake with warm spices and a buttery crumb topping—great for breakfast, brunch, or snacking anytime.

4.63 from 8 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine German

Servings 12 people

Ingredients

  

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Cake Batter

• ▢ 2 cup Flour
• ▢ 2 teaspoon Baking Powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Salt
• ▢ ½ cup Butter Softened
• ▢ ½ cup Brown Sugar
• ▢ ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
• ▢ 2 Egg Room temperature is best
• ▢ 2 teaspoon Vanilla
• ▢ ½ cup Sour Cream
• ▢ 1 cup Shredded Apple About 1 medium apple
• ▢ 3 Tablespoon Apple Whiskey Optional
• ▢ ½ cup Apple Sauce
• ▢ 1 cup Pecans

Crumb Topping

• ▢ 1 cup Flour
• ▢ ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
• ▢ ¼ cup Brown Sugar
• ▢ 2 teaspoon Cinnamon
• ▢ ⅓ cup Melted Butter

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

 

Cake

• Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly coat a 9" x 13" baking pan with cooking spray.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
  2 cup Flour, 2 teaspoon Baking Powder, 1 teaspoon Baking Soda, ½ teaspoon Salt
• In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix to incorporate after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  ½ cup Butter, ½ cup Brown Sugar, ¼ cup Granulated Sugar, 2 Egg
• Mix in sour cream, vanilla, apple whiskey (optional), grated apples and unsweetened apple sauce.
  2 teaspoon Vanilla, ½ cup Sour Cream, 1 cup Shredded Apple, 3 Tablespoon Apple Whiskey, ½ cup Apple Sauce
• Turn the speed to low and mix in half of the flour mixture at a time. Careful not to over mix.
• With a spatula mix in the roughly chopped pecans and transfer the batter to prepared pan and smooth top with a spatula.
  1 cup Pecans

Crumble Topping

• Combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and melted butter. Sprinkle crumble over the top of the batter.
  1 cup Flour, ¼ cup Granulated Sugar, ¼ cup Brown Sugar, 2 teaspoon Cinnamon, ⅓ cup Melted Butter
• Bake until golden, about 30 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.

Notes

You can store your coffee cake in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. This cake also does well if you want to freeze it. Wrap it tightly, and it can last in the freezer for up to 3 months- although it’s so good, it most likely won’t last that long!

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece

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