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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg - ½ teaspoon salt In this recipe, we start with dry ingredients. They give the cake structure and flavor. The flour is your base. Baking powder and baking soda help it rise. Cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth and spice. Salt enhances all these flavors. - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature - 1 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs, at room temperature - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature Next, we look at the wet ingredients. Butter adds rich flavor and moisture. Sugar sweetens the cake. Eggs bind everything together and add richness. The vanilla extract brings a lovely aroma. Sour cream keeps the cake tender and moist. - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (approximately 2 cups) - ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) - Streusel topping ingredients Now for the fun part—add-ins and toppings! Apples bring natural sweetness and moisture. I love using walnuts or pecans for crunch, but this is optional. The streusel topping adds a sweet, crumbly layer. It makes every bite special. - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). - Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan or use parchment paper. To start, you need to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature is perfect for baking. Greasing and flouring your baking pan helps the cake release easily after baking. You can also use parchment paper for easy cleanup. - Whisk together all dry ingredients in a medium bowl. - Set aside the mixture. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. This includes the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients well is key, as it ensures your cake has a balanced flavor. - Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. - Incorporate eggs one at a time and mix in vanilla extract. Next, take a large bowl and cream the softened butter with granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer for this step. Mix until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Now, add the eggs one by one. Make sure each egg is mixed in well before adding the next. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract. - Alternate adding the flour mixture and sour cream. - Fold in diced apples and nuts. Now it's time to combine the wet and dry mixtures. Alternate adding the flour mixture and sour cream to the creamed butter and sugar. Start and end with the flour. Mix just until combined; be careful not to overmix. Then, gently fold in the diced apples and nuts if you're using them. This step adds great texture and flavor. - Layer half the batter in the pan, sprinkle with half of the streusel, spread remaining batter, and top with remaining streusel. In your prepared pan, pour in half of the batter and spread it evenly. Next, sprinkle half of the streusel mixture over the batter. Carefully spread the remaining batter on top of this streusel layer. Finish by sprinkling the rest of the streusel on top. This creates a delicious, crumbly topping. - Bake for 35-40 minutes and cool before serving. Bake your cake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes. You can check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready. Once baked, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After that, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Now, you can cut it into squares and enjoy your Apple Spice Coffee Cake! To keep your cake moist, use room temperature ingredients. This includes butter, eggs, and sour cream. Room temperature items blend better, helping the cake rise. Mixing techniques matter too. Alternate adding dry and wet ingredients. Start and end with dry ingredients. This method helps prevent overmixing. Overmixing can make your cake dense and tough. For the streusel topping, aim for a crumbly texture. Mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon well. Then, add melted butter. Use a fork to combine until crumbly. If it feels too wet, add a bit more flour. Adjust the sweetness based on your taste. If you like it sweeter, add more brown sugar. For less sweetness, cut back on sugar. For a lovely finish, dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar. This simple touch makes your cake look fancy. Pair each slice with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. The creaminess balances the spices in the cake. You'll find this makes every bite even better! {{image_4}} You can switch apples for other fruits. Pears work well in this recipe. They bring a sweet and juicy taste. You can also use ripe peaches. Their soft texture adds a nice touch. If you want a mix, try adding berries. Blueberries or raspberries bring a fresh burst of flavor. They blend nicely with the spices. You can create a fruit medley that everyone will love. If you need gluten-free options, use gluten-free flour. It’s a great substitute for all-purpose flour. Just make sure to check the blend. Some blends work better than others. For vegan options, swap the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. You can replace eggs with flaxseed meal or applesauce. This way, everyone can enjoy the cake. Spice up the flavor by adding more spices. Try ground ginger or ground cloves for warmth. These spices pair well with apples and make the cake richer. You can also mix in chocolate chips for a sweet twist. They melt and create pockets of chocolate goodness. Caramel bits are another fun addition. They give a deliciously sweet surprise in every bite. Store your Apple Spice Coffee Cake at room temperature. Use a cake dome or a plastic wrap to cover it. This helps keep it fresh for about three days. If you want to keep it longer, place it in the fridge. Just remember to wrap it well to stop it from drying out. For long-term storage, you can freeze the cake. Cut it into squares and place them in an airtight container. You can also wrap each piece in plastic wrap before putting them in the container. This way, it stays fresh for up to three months. When you're ready to eat it, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight. To reheat, put the slice in the microwave for about 20 seconds. This warms it up nicely without drying it out. This coffee cake tastes best fresh but lasts well. If stored correctly, it can stay good for about three days at room temperature and up to a week in the fridge. Watch for signs of spoilage. If you see mold or the cake smells off, it's best to throw it away. Enjoying it while it’s fresh will give you the best taste! To make your coffee cake moist, add sour cream or yogurt. These ingredients add creaminess and keep the cake soft. You can also try using applesauce for extra moisture. Be sure to use eggs at room temperature, as they help blend better. Mixing the batter gently prevents air from making it dry. Yes, you can use self-rising flour. Just omit the baking powder and baking soda. Self-rising flour has these leavening agents already mixed in. This option can simplify your process and still give you a great rise in your cake. This cake pairs wonderfully with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. A sprinkle of powdered sugar on top adds a nice touch. You could also serve it with a hot cup of coffee or tea. This adds to the cozy feel of enjoying a slice. To check if your coffee cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready. The edges should look golden brown too. If the toothpick has batter on it, give your cake a few more minutes. This recipe for Apple Spice Coffee Cake stands out with its rich flavors and moist texture. We discussed the essential dry and wet ingredients and the perfect mixing steps. I shared tips for making it extra moist and ideas for variations to suit your taste. Don't forget to store any leftovers properly to enjoy this treat later. Whether you serve it warm with ice cream or dusted with powdered sugar, this cake will surely delight. Enjoy your baking journey and the tasty rewards that follow.

Apple Spice Coffee Cake with Streusel

Indulge in the warm flavors of fall with this Apple Spice Coffee Cake with Streusel Delight! This delicious recipe combines tender apples and cozy spices topped with a crunchy streusel for the perfect dessert or snack. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can bake a treat that everyone will adore. Click through to uncover the complete recipe and tips for serving your cake with a delightful twist!
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Ingredients
  

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup sour cream, at room temperature

2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (approximately 2 cups)

½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the streusel topping:

¾ cup packed dark brown sugar

½ cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions
 

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easier removal later.

    In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Set this dry mixture aside.

      In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes.

        Crack the eggs into the mixture one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla extract and mix until evenly combined.

          Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream. Begin and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cake tender.

            Using a spatula, gently fold in the diced apples and chopped nuts (if using), aiming for an even distribution throughout the batter.

              Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly across the bottom.

                In a separate bowl, make the streusel topping by combining the packed brown sugar, flour, and ground cinnamon. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until the mixture is crumbly in texture. Sprinkle half of the streusel mixture evenly over the batter in the pan.

                  Carefully spread the remaining batter on top of the streusel layer, smoothing it out gently. Finish by sprinkling the remaining streusel on top of the last layer of batter.

                    Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The edges will be golden brown when it's ready.

                      Once baked, allow the coffee cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting into squares.

                        Prep Time: 20 mins | Total Time: 1 hr | Servings: 12

                          - Presentation Tips: For an elegant finish, dust the cooled cake with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar. Serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat that everyone will love!