Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

14555 minutes

Tessa Arias

Author:

Tessa Arias

Modified: October 10, 2024

Easy Caramel Apple Coffee Cake features a brown sugar cinnamon apple cake layered with sweet streusel and topped off with salted caramel. It's the perfect simple fall treat EVERYONE will love!

Tessa’s Recipe Rundown

Taste: Sweet, tart, spiced, and wonderful. Like Autumn if it were a flavor!
Texture: The cake is ultra tender and moist which is perfectly balanced by the slightly crunchy streusel and gooey caramel sauce.
Ease: Super simple and easy.
Pros: One of those recipes you’ll make again and again!
Cons: None.
Would I make this again? Yes yes yes.

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I’ve been SO excited to share this Caramel Apple Coffee Cake recipe! It’s one of those delightful fall recipes that will be a hit with any group. And, bonus, it’s nice and easy to make.

caramel apple coffee cake on a plate with a slice taken out, so you can see how moist it is inside!

This coffee cake is perfect to make in the fall – especially after going apple picking with family or friends.

It stays moist and flavorful for days so you can make it ahead of time. Or hoard it for yourself to enjoy daily until it’s all gone. (I don’t know anything about that…)

Bob's Red Mill flour being used in my apple coffee cake.

I was excited to use Bob’s Red Mill Organic All-Purpose flour in this recipe to ensure show-stopping tender and moist results! I’ve worked with Bob’s Red Mill previously and I am so grateful to have them as a sponsor.

They’re an employee-owned company with incredible values woven in. Not to mention this flour is made without the use of chemical pesticides, which I personally greatly prefer.

graphic of Tessa Arias of Handle the Heat holding a whisk.

How to Make Easy Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

unbaked sour cream apple coffee cake, ready to pop in the oven.

How to Make Coffee Cake MOIST

  • Brown sugar, oil, and sour cream all help to create richness, tenderness, and moisture.
  • If you don’t have sour cream, you can also use plain full-fat yogurt.
  • I use oil here because it gives the sensation of moistness better than butter does. We don’t really need the flavor of butter here as much as other recipes, thanks to this coffee cake’s spices, brown sugar, apples, and caramel. Learn more about Butter vs. Oil In Baking here.

What Kind of Apples are Best For Baking?

I love Granny Smith apples in this recipe because they won’t get mushy or mealy during baking and their tartness complements the caramel perfectly. Alternatively, you can use Braeburn, Pink Lady, or Honeycrisp, if you prefer. A mix of apples also works well.

Can I Bake This in a Square Pan Instead?

Yes! If you don’t have a 9-inch springform pan you can use a 9-inch square baking pan. If you only have an 8-inch square pan then add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time and keep an eye on it for doneness.

Can I Double This Recipe?

Yes! Double all ingredients and bake in a 9 by 13-inch pan and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

Store-Bought or Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce?

I have an excellent (super easy!) recipe for Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce here. However, for this recipe, you can totally get away with using store-bought. I love Trader Joe’s salted caramel sauce!

fresh coffee cake, straight out of the oven and drizzled with caramel sauce.

How to Store Coffee Cake

This recipe stays SUPER moist for days after you bake it. I actually find the flavors intensify over time as well. Store covered at room temperature for up to 4 days. Serve at room temperature or reheat in the microwave if desired.

Can I Freeze Coffee Cake? 

Yes – but freeze before drizzling the caramel on top. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature then refresh in a 300°F oven until warmed through before drizzling with caramel sauce and serving.

coffee cake on a plate next to a cake server, ready to serve.
a slice of caramel apple coffee cake on a plate with a fork and a napkin underneath
Yields: 9 servings

How To Make

Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

Yields: 9 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Review Recipe Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Review Recipe Print Recipe
Easy Caramel Apple Coffee Cake features a brown sugar cinnamon apple cake layered with sweet streusel and topped off with salted caramel. It's the perfect simple fall treat EVERYONE will love!

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Ingredients

For the Streusel:

  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (64 grams) Bob’s Red Mill Organic All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons (43 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons (56 grams) salted caramel sauce

For the Coffee Cake:

  • 2 cups (254 grams) Bob’s Red Mill Organic All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup (200 grams) light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 8 ounces (227 grams) sour cream or plain yogurt, at room temperature
  • 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (200 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons (56 grams) salted caramel sauce, for drizzling

Instructions

Make the streusel:

  • In a small bowl, combine all of the streusel ingredients except caramel with a fork until crumbly. Set aside.

Make the cake:

  • In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and brown sugar. In a small bowl, stir together the oil, sour cream, and eggs. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then pour in the wet ingredients. Gently stir until a few streaks of flour remain. Gently fold in the apples.
  • Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with half of the streusel and drizzle with caramel sauce. Spread the remaining batter over the streusel. Sprinkle with the remaining streusel.
  • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes. Drizzle with salted caramel sauce before serving.
  • Cut into slices and serve. Store leftovers, covered, at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Notes

Don’t have a 9-inch springform pan? No problem! Use a 9-inch square baking pan, no modifications needed. If you only have an 8-inch square pan, add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time and keep an eye on it for doneness.
To double this recipe, double all ingredients, bake in a 9 by 13-inch pan, and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

This post was published in 2019 and has been updated with additional recipe tips and information. Photos by Ashley McLaughlin.

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Carla Moore
Carla Moore
6 years ago

Delicious and great directions!

Caitlin Ferguson
Caitlin Ferguson
6 years ago

Absolutely delicious!! It took about twice as long as the recommended bake time before it was done.

Anika Lindemann
Anika Lindemann
6 years ago

Very easy recipe and turned out delicious! Tastes just like fall.

Carla Moore
Carla Moore
6 years ago

Delicious! Even from making your own salted caramel the overall process comes togetherness so well and it’s like tasting fall in your mouth! Thanks for another great recipe Tessa!

Megan Gregory
Megan Gregory
6 years ago

Very good! Filled the house with delicious Fall scents. Will be wonderful with a giant cup of coffee 🙂

Taylor
Taylor
6 years ago

It’s absolutely delicious! I would highly recommend this recipe!

Dana Eriksen
Dana Eriksen
6 years ago

I made these into muffins and they’re fantastic! Single 1.5 tbsp scoop into a lined muffin cup, streusel, caramel, another scoop of batter, streusel, and bake for 25 minutes. So good!

Stephanie May
Stephanie May
Reply to  Dana Eriksen
6 years ago

Perfect, thank you!

Stephanie May
Stephanie May
6 years ago

This recipe is easy to follow and delicious! My entire family loved it! I also think I will be trying this recipe as muffins for an upcoming bake sale. The texture is perfect and not overly sweet. I also used the suggested caramel sauce from Trader Joe’s and it was absolutely delicious. Thanks for this amazing recipe.

Cassie
Cassie
6 years ago

Perfect fall treat to go with coffee!

Velia Fernandez
Velia Fernandez
6 years ago

Absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to make this one again. The caramel sauce recipe was a cinch too.

Regilyn Kozak
Regilyn Kozak
6 years ago

Love this recipe… so easy to make and so delicious. Perfect for fall!

Joy
Joy
6 years ago

The Caramel Apple Coffee Cake was easy to make and delicious. Great recipe for fall apple season.