Apple Streusel Coffee Cake

$- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature - 2 large eggs, at room temperature - 1 cup sour cream - 2 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar - 1/2 cup rolled oats - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract When measuring, use dry measuring cups for flour and sugar. Use a liquid measuring cup for sour cream. Level off dry ingredients with a straight edge. This ensures accuracy and a good rise for your cake. For butter, you can use sticks marked with measurements. Room temperature eggs and butter mix well for a fluffy texture. I recommend using Granny Smith apples. They offer a nice tartness that balances the sweetness. Honeycrisp apples are also great for a sweeter flavor. You can mix both types for more depth. Avoid soft apples like Red Delicious, as they may turn mushy in baking. Start by gathering all your ingredients. You will need: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 2 large eggs - 1 cup sour cream - 2 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar - 1/2 cup rolled oats - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. This helps with easy removal later. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk them together until they blend well. In another bowl, cream the softened butter with an electric mixer. Mix for about 2-3 minutes until it is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir carefully with a spatula until just combined. Be gentle to avoid a dense cake. Now, fold in the diced apples, spreading them evenly. In a medium bowl, prepare the streusel topping. Mix brown sugar, rolled oats, and a dash of cinnamon. Add a tablespoon of softened butter and stir until you get a crumbly texture. Pour half of the batter into your baking pan. Smooth it out, then sprinkle half of the streusel topping. Add the remaining batter and smooth it again. Finally, top with the rest of the streusel. Bake in your preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. Check with a toothpick inserted in the center. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Once baked, let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Carefully move it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy your delicious apple streusel coffee cake! To get a soft and fluffy cake, avoid overmixing. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined. This helps keep the cake light. Use room temperature eggs and sour cream. They blend better and help with rise. If you want a less sweet cake, reduce the sugar. Try cutting granulated sugar to 3/4 cup. You can also switch to less sweet apples, like Fuji or Honeycrisp. Taste your batter before baking to adjust sweetness if needed. Use a 9x13 inch baking pan for best results. Glass or metal pans work well. If you use glass, lower the oven temp by 25°F. Always grease the pan well or line it with parchment paper. This ensures easy removal and a clean slice. {{image_4}} You can mix flavors to make this coffee cake your own. Try adding nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch. You can also fold in raisins or cranberries for a sweet twist. For a fun spice kick, add nutmeg or ginger to the batter. Chocolate lovers can sprinkle mini chocolate chips into the batter or on top. If you need a gluten-free option, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Look for a blend that contains xanthan gum for better texture. You may need to adjust the liquid slightly, as gluten-free flours can absorb more moisture. Follow the same steps for mixing and baking. Your cake will still taste great! This recipe works well with many fruits. In fall, try adding diced pears or fresh cranberries for a seasonal spin. In summer, use peaches or blueberries for a fresh, fruity touch. You can even mix different fruits together. Just keep the total amount of fruit the same to maintain the right texture. To keep your apple streusel coffee cake fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps keep moisture in and prevents it from drying out. You can also wrap the cake in plastic wrap for extra protection. Make sure it is completely cool before wrapping to avoid sogginess. If you plan to eat it within three days, it can stay at room temperature. For longer storage, refrigeration is best. You can freeze your coffee cake to enjoy later. First, let the cake cool completely. Then, slice it into pieces for easy thawing. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the bag with the date. The cake will keep well in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw the slices in the fridge overnight. To reheat your coffee cake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the slices on a baking sheet and cover them with foil. This helps keep them moist. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warm. You can also use the microwave for a quick option. Microwave each slice for about 15-20 seconds. If you want a bit of crunch, you can toast it lightly in a skillet instead. To make your Apple Streusel Coffee Cake moist, use sour cream. Sour cream adds richness and moisture to the batter. Make sure your butter is softened well. This ensures it blends easily and traps air for a fluffier cake. Avoid overmixing the batter after adding the flour. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Lastly, bake your cake until just set. A toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Yes, you can use different types of flour, but results may vary. All-purpose flour works best for texture and flavor. If you want a gluten-free option, try a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Keep in mind that gluten-free flour can change the texture. You might need to adjust the liquid content slightly. Whole wheat flour adds a nutty taste and more fiber, but it can make the cake denser. Serve your Apple Streusel Coffee Cake warm or at room temperature. It tastes great on its own, but you can add a few extras. A dusting of powdered sugar adds a nice touch. You can also serve it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a treat. Pair it with coffee or tea for a perfect afternoon snack. If you want to impress guests, slice the cake into squares and arrange them on a nice platter. You now know the key steps to create a great Apple Streusel Coffee Cake. We covered ingredients, measurements, and the best apple types to use. I shared tips on texture, sweetness, and baking pans to help you succeed. We explored fun variations, storage methods, and even answered common questions. Remember, baking is about creativity. Enjoy trying new things and make it your own! Happy baking!$

Indulge in the delightful flavors of Apple Streusel Coffee Cake, a perfect treat for any occasion! This easy-to-follow recipe combines tender apples with a crumbly streusel topping that will leave your taste buds craving more. Discover how simple ingredients can come together to create light, moist cake goodness. Click through to explore the full recipe and start baking this delicious dessert today!

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Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 cup sour cream

2 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced (ideally Granny Smith, for a tart flavor)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking pan by greasing it thoroughly or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal of the cake after baking.

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Whisk these together until evenly distributed and well combined.

Cream the Butter: In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter until it is light and fluffy, which should take approximately 2-3 minutes.

Incorporate Eggs and Sour Cream: Add the eggs to the creamed butter one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth texture. Once the eggs are combined, mix in the sour cream and vanilla extract until fully blended and creamy.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the bowl of wet ingredients. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined; be careful not to overmix, as this could make the cake dense.

Fold in the Apples: Gently fold in the diced apples using a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter without breaking them down too much.

Prepare the Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, rolled oats, and a dash of cinnamon. Add a tablespoon of softened butter and mix until the mixture has a crumbly texture, resembling coarse crumbs.

Assemble the Cake: Pour half of the apple batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing it into an even layer. Scatter half of the streusel topping over the batter. Then, add the remaining batter on top, smoothing it out once more. Finally, sprinkle the rest of the streusel topping evenly over the top of the cake.

Bake to Perfection: Place the baking pan in your preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Cool and Serve: Once baked, allow the coffee cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 12

- Presentation Tips: Consider serving the cake on a decorative platter, dusting it with powdered sugar for a lovely finish, or adding a side of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat!