Making coffee cake is just asking for trouble. But I like to live on the wild side, so I’m sharing how to make a caramel apple coffee cake.
It’s like magic, bake up this coffee cake and watch people invite themselves over for good conversation and a kaffeeklatsch they won’t soon forget.
Caramel Apple Coffee Cake
If you like cake, this is the perfect recipe for you. And if you like spiced cake, this is also the recipe for you. A
nd finally, if you like all things apples and salted caramel, this is the cake you want to bake and then eat.
This is a wonderful cake, especially as we’re heading into autumn with its cooler temperatures. Coffee cakes are made to be shared.
Invite a friend or two over for a cozy weekend brunch of Hard Cider Mimosas, Cheese & Herb Egg Toast, and of course, this mouthwatering Caramel Apple Coffee Cake.
I got the inspiration for this recipe from Tessa Arias’s awesome blog, Handle The Heat.
I made a few adjustments, but her method is undoubtedly a winner, and you should definitely give it a try.
I love spice in my fall coffee cakes, so I added a hint of clove and cardamom, which provides this cake with a complex flavor.
This coffee cake is drizzled with warm salted caramel sauce. Are you drooling yet?
What type of drinks pair with a coffee cake recipe?
This coffee cake also pairs excellently with Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate or a sweet, fruity Persimmon Tequila Margarita, featuring a clove, sugar, and salt rim.
And if you’re making good food, you might as well make it a party and invite a few friends over.
Because good food is best when it is shared with people you love spending time with, that’s the essence of home entertaining with style, attention to detail, and delicious food.
So, throw another log on the fire, grab your apron, and put on some jazz. With its irresistible streusel topping and the drizzled salted (or unsalted) caramel, I understand if you’re falling for its many charms. In the end, this cake has everything it needs to become one of your favorite fall coffee cakes. Don’t hesitate another second longer! Grab this recipe, turn on the oven, don’t spill the flour, and crack some eggs! Autumn has never been sweeter!
You Will Love This Caramel Apple Coffee Cake Because:
- Moist
- Spice
- Sweet
- Streusel
- Salted Caramel Sauce
- Baked Apples
- Goes Great With Friends
- Goes Even Better Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate
- Perfect For Brunch or a Tea Party
Delicious coffee cake drizzled with warm salted caramel. What’s not to like?
Step-by-step instructions for a Caramel Apple Coffee Cake
Directions on making the Streusel
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon gingerbread spice
- 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons salted caramel or regular caramel sauce, reserved for after baking
Directions:
Add all of the ingredients into a small bowl (minus the caramel sauce), and using a table fork, mix well; it should resemble wet sand. Set aside.
Apples Mixture:
Ingredients:
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
- Place a medium skillet over medium-low heat, add apples, light brown sugar, unsalted butter, and ground cinnamon.
- Stir ingredients until the apples are coated with light brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon mixture.
- Continue to stir over heat for five minutes without browning.
- Spoon apples into a small bowl to cool. Set aside.
How to Make the Coffee Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/8 teaspoon ground clove
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 farm-fresh eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
Directions:
- In a small bowl, combine the wet ingredients (vegetable oil, yogurt, pure vanilla extract, and eggs) using a wire whisk. Mix well until the mixture is well combined and smooth. Set aside.
- Into the bowl of a stand mixer, add the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, Kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, and light brown sugar. Mix on low until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- With the stand mixer on low, begin spooning the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until the wet ingredients are fully incorporated into the dry ingredients. Do not overmix.
- Coat a clean and dry 9-inch springform pan with canola oil spray, making sure to spray the inside wall of the container as well as the bottom.
- Assemble the coffee cake. Pour half of the batter into the prepared 9-inch springform pan. Spread evenly with a spatula. Evenly sprinkle half of the sautéed apples over the batter. Add half of the streusel mixture on top of the apples. Spoon the remaining batter gently over the streusel, smoothing it out into an even layer. Scatter the remaining apples evenly over the batter. Finish with the remaining streusel sprinkled on top.
- Place onto the center rack of a 350-degree preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove the coffee cake from the oven and allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes.
- Drizzle with salted or unsalted caramel sauce.
- Serve.
Can I Use A Different Type Of Apple for this Caramel Cake?
Yes! While Honeycrisp apples bring an outstanding balance of sweetness and crunch, you can also use Granny Smith for a tart bite or Gala/Fuji for extra sweetness.
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely. You can bake the cake a day in advance, let it cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap.
Drizzle the caramel right before serving to keep it fresh.
Can I Freeze This Coffee Cake?
Yes — wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm slightly before serving.
What If I Don’t Have Greek Yogurt?
You can substitute sour cream (preferably full-fat) for a similar texture and tang.
Do I Have To Use A Springform Pan?
Not necessarily. A 9×9 baking pan works, but the springform pan makes releasing and slicing the cake much easier (and prettier).
Caramel Apple Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Streusel:
- 1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon gingerbread spice
- 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons salted caramel or regular caramel sauce reserved for after baking
Apples Mixture Ingredients:
- 2 Honeycrisp apples peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Coffee Cake Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/8 teaspoon ground clove
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 farm-fresh eggs room temperature
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
Instructions
Directions on making the Streusel
- Add all of the ingredients into a small bowl (minus the caramel sauce), and using a table fork, mix well; it should resemble wet sand. Set aside.
Directions on making the Apple Mixture:
- Place a medium skillet over medium-low heat, add apples, light brown sugar, unsalted butter, and ground cinnamon.
- Stir ingredients until the apples are coated with light brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon mixture.
- Continue to stir over heat for five minutes without browning.
- Spoon apples into a small bowl to cool. Set aside.
Coffee Cake Directions:
- In a small bowl, combine the wet ingredients (vegetable oil, yogurt, pure vanilla extract, and eggs) using a wire whisk. Mix well until the mixture is well combined and smooth. Set aside.
- Into the bowl of a stand mixer, add the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, Kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, and light brown sugar. Mix on low until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- With the stand mixer on low, begin spooning the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until the wet ingredients are fully incorporated into the dry ingredients. Do not overmix.
- Coat a clean and dry 9-inch springform pan with canola oil spray, making sure to spray the inside wall of the container as well as the bottom.
- Assemble the coffee cake. Pour half of the batter into the prepared 9-inch springform pan. Spread evenly with a spatula. Evenly sprinkle half of the sautéed apples over the batter. Add half of the streusel mixture on top of the apples. Spoon the remaining batter gently over the streusel, smoothing it out into an even layer. Scatter the remaining apples evenly over the batter. Finish with the remaining streusel sprinkled on top.
- Place onto the center rack of a 350-degree preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove the coffee cake from the oven and allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes.
- Drizzle with salted or unsalted caramel sauce.
- Serve.
Find more dessert recipes below:
Popcorn S’mores Brownie Dessert
Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake Recipe with Mulberry Citrus Icing
Created 10/2019- updated 9/2025
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