Apple Cider Coffee Cake Recipe and 5 Baking Tips
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Nov 11, 2022 • 3 min read
Rich with a familiar, autumnal flavor, a moist crumb, and a flavorful streusel topping, this apple cider coffee cake is a great option for breakfast, snack, brunch, or dessert. Read ahead to learn how to make apple cider coffee cake.
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What Is Apple Cider Coffee Cake?
An apple cider coffee cake is a traditional coffee cake elevated with apple cider and warming spices. Reducing the cider before adding it to the batter ensures the most prominent cider flavor in the final product. To reduce cider, simply simmer it on the stovetop, uncovered, until it thickens and loses about half of its volume.
Coffee cake is an American crumb cake with a center and topping of cinnamon streusel. It doesn’t contain any coffee—instead, coffee cake is a wonderful accompaniment to a hot cup of coffee or tea.
5 Tips for Making Apple Cider Coffee Cake
The addition of sour cream or Greek yogurt makes this moist cake extra tender. Here’s what else to know:
- 1. Use local apple cider. In the United States, there are two types of cider: “Hard cider” typically refers to a fermented alcoholic beverage made with apple cider, while “apple cider” is the same as unfiltered apple juice. (Learn more about apple cider and apple juice.) While you can use store-bought apple cider for this recipe, picking up a quart locally benefits the community and is an excellent way to infuse the cake with pure, fresh apple flavor.
- 2. Amp up the apple flavor. A mere quarter-cup of applesauce adds a fascinating texture and flavor that takes the cake to the next level. Add some freshly grated or chopped apples into the batter for a carrot cake–like texture and an extra burst of apple flavor. Granny Smith apples work best.
- 3. Customize with different spices. Warming spices and apple cider are a great pairing, so feel free to add differing spices according to your tastes. Cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice are all excellent options. Use freshly ground spices for the strongest, most complex flavor.
- 4. Go vegan. It’s easy to make a vegan apple cider coffee cake. Swap a flax egg for the egg, vegan butter or oil for the butter, and vegan sour cream or coconut yogurt for the sour cream for a terrific vegan variation on this new classic.
- 5. Make individual servings. Instead of using a cake pan or baking dish, divide the coffee cake batter and the topping into cupcake tins for unique apple cider coffee cake muffins.
Best Apple Cider Coffee Cake Recipe
makes
1 8-inch square cakeprep time
30 mintotal time
1 hr 20 mincook time
50 minIngredients
For the cinnamon-sugar streusel:
For the cake:
Make the cinnamon-sugar streusel:
- 1
In a medium bowl, mix the brown sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg.
- 2
Pour half of the butter into the bowl and mix.
- 3
Pour the remaining melted butter over the mixture. Mix until the streusel resembles wet sand. Set the bowl of streusel aside.
Make the cake:
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit with a rack in the center.
- 2
Grease and flour an 8-inch square baking dish.
- 3
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, at least 2 minutes. (Alternatively, use a large bowl and an electric hand mixer.)
- 4
Add the egg, vanilla, sour cream, and reduced apple cider and continue mixing, scraping down the bowl as needed.
- 5
In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and flour.
- 6
With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients until just combined.
- 7
Add half of the batter to the prepared pan and smooth in an even layer.
- 8
Sprinkle half of the streusel over the cake in an even layer.
- 9
Pour the remaining batter into the cake pan and smooth in an even layer.
- 10
Sprinkle the cake evenly with the remaining streusel.
- 11
Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40–50 minutes.
- 12
Remove the cake from the oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- 13
Dust the cake with powdered sugar, if desired.
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