This moist and flavorful applesauce coffee cake is perfect for breakfast or dessert, offering a delightful blend of sweetness and spice.

Who doesn't love cake? Good thing as there are plenty of options - from the classic yellow cake with chocolate frosting to a Dutch apple cake to a chocolate orange cake.
But there is just something about coffee cakes. Traditionally, it is often served with coffee during breakfast or brunch, but its sweet flavors and crumbly texture also make it a popular dessert or snack.
Why This Recipe Works
- Moist texture - The applesauce in the recipe ensures that the coffee cake remains incredibly moist and tender, making every bite soft and delicious.
- Delicious crumb topping - A generous cinnamon crumb topping adds a satisfying crunch and a burst of sweet, spicy flavor that complements the cake's richness.
- Versatile - Whether served for breakfast with your morning coffee, as a sweet dessert after dinner, or as a snack throughout the day, this applesauce coffee cake fits a variety of occasions and cravings.
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Ingredient Notes
- Butter - Used for the cake and streusel. This is a butter-based cake which means it is a thicker batter and creates a slightly dense but light and buttery crumb.
- Sugar - I like the combo of light brown sugar and granulated sugar for the cake. Light brown sugar is used for the streusel as well.
- Applesauce - Acts as a moistener and natural sweetener. Use unsweetened applesauce to control the sugar level or adjust the sweetness to your preference.
- Sour cream - Adds acidity to react with the baking soda but also helps with the moistness.
- Vanilla extract - Enhances the overall flavor. Never use imitation vanilla extract.
- Eggs - Provide structure and help bind the ingredients together.
- All-purpose flour - Used in both the cake and streusel.
- Baking powder and baking soda - These leavening agents help the cake rise and become fluffy. Make sure they are fresh for the best results.
- Spices - Cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves adds warmth and spice. You can adjust the amount to your taste.
- Salt - Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.
- Maple syrup - Used in the crumb topping to add a natural sweetness and rich flavor. It creates a delightful caramelized effect when baked. Ensure it’s pure maple syrup for the best taste.
Ingredient Swaps
As with any recipe, you can switch things up if needed. Some variations include:
- Swap butter with coconut oil for a subtle coconut flavor or vegetable oil for a neutral taste.
- I like the using a combination of light brown sugar and granulated sugar, but you can use all of one or the other.
- Sour cream is my go-to for this cake, but Greek yogurt is a good substitute.
- Instead of all-purpose flour, try whole wheat flour for added fiber, almond flour for a nutty taste or oat flour as a gluten-free alternative.
Step-by-Step Photos
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Mix together the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Beat together the butter and sugars in a bowl until combined.
Add in the wet ingredients and beat until combined. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Make the streusel by mixing together all of the ingredients in a bowl until you get a pea-like texture. Add half of the batter to an 8x8 greased baking pan. Top with half of the streusel mixture.
Add the remaining batter and streusel and bake at 350°F for 40-50 minutes or until done.
FAQs
No one knows the exact origin, but it is believe to have gotten the term in the 1800's. Despite its name, there is no coffee in the cake.
It is a butter cake with a streusel topping that is meant to be served with coffee or tea.
So this is the type of cake that you usually just leave the pan. I spray with some cooking spray so I can cut a slice and take it out.
However if you want to take the whole cake out, place some parchment so it hangs over the sides of the pan and you can just lift out once the applesauce coffee cake is cool.
You know cake is done when you insert a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean.
The key with baking is DO NOT OVERMIX. It’s the death of any baking recipe and with cakes, it can lead to something that is dense and just not very appetizing.
So what does not overmixing mean? Well you mix all of your ingredients right until you see the flour disappear.
The other issue can be baking too long. Trust the toothpick test!
To maximize the shelf life of the cake, place it in a covered airtight container or cover with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
• Cake at room temperature will last 1-2 days
• Cake in the fridge will last 1 week
• Cake in the freezer will last 4 months
Equipment
The equipment you use is important to how the recipe turns out. What is needed is the following:
- Stand mixer - You can also use a hand mixer with mixing bowls.
- Square pan - You want an 8x8 pan.
- Offset spatula - Helps spread out the thick cake batter in the pan.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- All refrigerated items should be at room temperature, which helps the batter mix easily and evenly.
- The batter is thick so use an offset spatula to spread evenly in the pan.
- Use parchment paper in the pan if you want to take the entire cake out.
- Customize your cake by adding nuts, diced apples or dried fruit to the batter for extra flavor and texture.
Similar Recipes
If you’ve tried this applesauce coffee cake or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! This pumpkin poke cake is also a great option during the fall. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Applesauce Coffee Cake
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup applesauce
- ½ cup sour cream, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Streusel
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugars until combined, about 2-3 minutes. Add the applesauce, sour cream and vanilla extract, beating until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
- Mix together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt and cloves in a medium bowl. Fold into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Make the streusel by mixing together the flour, sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add the melted butter and maple syrup and mix until combined.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8 baking pan. Pour half of the batter in, spreading to all four corners. Top with half of the streusel mixture. Pour remaining batter over top and add the remaining streusel mix. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Notes
- All refrigerated items should be at room temperature, which helps the batter mix easily and evenly.
- The batter is thick so use an offset spatula to spread evenly in the pan.
- Use parchment paper in the pan if you want to take the entire cake out.
- Customize your cake by adding nuts, diced apples or dried fruit to the batter for extra flavor and texture.
Emily says
Wow this was so good
Ryan says
Yeah it's quite addicting.
Megan says
Wow this was outstanding!
Ryan says
Yeah it's tough to stop at one slice.