Top-Tier Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake Recipe for Cozy Mornings

Sweet cream cheese apple coffee cake brings together contrasting textures and flavors that dance across your palate with delightful harmony.

Seasonal apples elevate this classic dessert into a rustic culinary experience that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Rich cream cheese creates a luxurious backdrop for tender fruit and warm spices, promising a decadent morning treat.

Soft, moist crumb intertwines with delicate fruit layers, offering a complex taste profile that elevates traditional breakfast fare.

Crumbly streusel topping provides unexpected crunch against the silky smooth interior, ensuring each bite delivers maximum sensory pleasure.

Weekend baking enthusiasts will appreciate the straightforward technique and minimal ingredients required for this crowd-pleasing pastry.

Home kitchens will fill with an irresistible aroma that beckons family and friends to gather around the table.

Tips for Layering Flavors in Apple Coffee Cake

• Choose Crisp Apples: Select firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for maximum flavor and texture contrast in the cake.
• Soften Cream Cheese Properly: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free layer.
• Create Perfect Streusel: Use cold butter and work quickly with your fingers to achieve a crumbly, sandy streusel topping that bakes beautifully.
• Check Cake Doneness: Insert a toothpick near the center to ensure it comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked without being dry.
• Store Smartly: Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify over time.

How to Store and Reheat Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake the Right Way

• Refrigerate: Store the coffee cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and absorb other refrigerator odors.
• Freezing: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 325ºF for 10-15 minutes. Restore the cake's fresh-from-the-oven texture by avoiding overheating, which can dry out the delicate cream cheese and apple layers.

What to Pair with Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake

• Brew Perfect Coffee Companions: Select medium-roast Colombian or Ethiopian coffee with nutty, fruity undertones that complement the apple's sweetness and cream cheese's richness.
• Wine Pairing Adventure: Choose a crisp Riesling or Moscato d'Asti with light sweetness that balances the cake's spicy cinnamon and creamy texture.
• Enhance Dessert Experience: Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or whipped mascarpone to amplify the cake's creamy layers and add refreshing contrast.
• Morning Breakfast Boost: Pair with a cold glass of apple cider or fresh-pressed apple juice to intensify the fruit's natural flavors and create a harmonious morning treat.

Tasty Variations of Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake to Explore

• Nutty Harvest Remix: Swap chopped apples with diced pears and add toasted pecans or walnuts to the batter for a rich, earthy flavor profile.
• Berry Cream Dream: Replace apples with fresh blueberries or raspberries, creating a vibrant summer-inspired coffee cake with a tangy fruit twist.
• Pumpkin Spice Celebration: Substitute half the vegetable oil with pumpkin puree and increase cinnamon for a cozy autumn-themed version that captures seasonal warmth.
• Caramel Crunch Edition: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the cooled cake and sprinkle crushed toffee bits on top for an indulgent, sweet enhancement.

Why Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake Is Pure Comfort

• Burst with Seasonal Sweetness: Fresh, crisp apples deliver an autumn-inspired flavor explosion that transforms this coffee cake into a comforting seasonal treat.
• Luxurious Layered Textures: Creamy cream cheese layer nestled between soft cake and crunchy streusel topping creates an irresistible contrast of smooth and crumbly textures.
• Quick Weekend Baking Delight: With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, this coffee cake takes just 45 minutes to bake, making it perfect for lazy weekend mornings or last-minute dessert cravings.

The Ingredients That Make Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake Shine

• Butter, Vegetable Oil: Provides rich, moist texture and helps bind ingredients together.
• White Sugar, Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Egg: Provides structure and helps bind the cake ingredients.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
• Flour: Main dry ingredient that gives structure to the cake.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Leavening agents that help the cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements apple flavor.
• Apples: Fresh fruit that adds moisture and natural sweetness to the cake.

• Cream Cheese: Soft, tangy base that creates a rich, creamy layer.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle flavor to the cream cheese layer.

• White Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and caramel-like flavor.
• Flour: Helps create a crumbly texture.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds depth to the topping.
• Baking Powder: Helps create a lighter streusel texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness.
• Cold Butter: Creates a crumbly, crisp streusel topping.

How to Bake Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake That’s Extra Moist

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Warm up the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch square baking pan with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Cake Base

• Softened butter
• Brown sugar
• White sugar

• 1 egg
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Mix thoroughly until ingredients are fully incorporated.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Cinnamon

Slowly fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Gently stir in chopped apples. Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan.

Step 4: Prepare Cream Cheese Layer

• Softened cream cheese
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract

Spread this creamy mixture smoothly over the cake batter.

Step 5: Make Streusel Topping

• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Flour
• Cinnamon
• Baking powder
• Salt

Use hands or pastry blender to work in cold butter until mixture becomes crumbly. Sprinkle streusel evenly over cream cheese layer.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Place in preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. Look for golden brown streusel and a set center.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let cake cool completely. Store in refrigerator if not serving immediately. Slice and enjoy the delightful layers of flavor!

Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake brings together rich cream cheese and sweet apples in a delightful morning treat. Cinnamon-spiced layers create a perfect balance of tangy and sweet, promising a comforting slice that will make breakfast feel like a special occasion.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups chopped apples
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 8 ounces (226 grams) softened cream cheese

Cake Batter Ingredients:

• ½ cup (1 stick or 113 grams) butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Streusel Topping Ingredients:

• ¾ cup white sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons cold butter

Cream Cheese Layer Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) softened cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons white sugar

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly grease an 8×8 inch (20×20 centimeters) square baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
2. Create the cake base by creaming together softened unsalted butter, granulated white sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Incorporate a large egg, vegetable oil, and pure vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until smooth and well-integrated.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
5. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to prevent overmixing. Carefully fold in freshly chopped apples, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
6. Transfer the cake batter to the prepared pan, spreading it uniformly with a spatula to create an even surface.
7. Prepare the cream cheese layer by whipping room-temperature cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract until silky and smooth.
8. Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter, creating a consistent layer that covers the entire surface.
9. Craft the streusel topping by combining white sugar, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl.
10. Cut cold unsalted butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse, pea-sized crumbs.
11. Generously sprinkle the streusel topping over the cream cheese layer, ensuring complete and even coverage.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the streusel turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
13. Remove from the oven and allow the coffee cake to cool completely in the pan for at least 1 hour before slicing.
14. Store any remaining cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

• Prep ahead by softening butter and cream cheese at room temperature for smooth, easy mixing.
• Choose crisp, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best flavor and texture in this coffee cake.
• Use cold butter for the streusel topping to create those perfect, crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture clusters.
• Avoid overmixing the cake batter to keep the texture light and tender, stopping just when ingredients are combined.
• Cool the cake completely before slicing to allow cream cheese layer to set and prevent crumbling.
• Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, bringing to room temperature before serving for optimal taste and texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg