Apple Cider Coffee Cake Recipe

If you’re a fan of cozy, warmly spiced desserts that bring the essence of autumn right to your kitchen, then you’ll absolutely adore this Apple Cider Coffee Cake. It’s a delightful treat that blends the crisp, fruity notes of reduced apple cider with tender, moist cake and a cinnamon-kissed streusel topping. Every bite offers a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and spicy flavors, making the Apple Cider Coffee Cake an irresistible centerpiece for your breakfast table, brunch gathering, or afternoon coffee break. I can’t wait to share exactly how you can make this heavenly cake yourself!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Apple Cider Coffee Cake lies in its straightforward but thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each plays a crucial role, from the spices that provide depth to the moistness imparted by the yogurt or sour cream. These simple staples come together to create a symphony of comforting flavors and textures.

• Unsalted butter: melted for the streusel and softened for the batter, it adds richness and helps create that tender crumb.
• Flour: the foundation of the cake and the crumble for structure and fluffiness.
• Brown sugar: adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness to both the streusel and the cake.
• Granulated sugar: balances sweetness and helps with a light texture.
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice: these spices make every bite warm and aromatic, evoking the feeling of fall.
• Apple cider: reduced to concentrate its flavor, it infuses the cake with natural tartness and moisture.
• Baking powder and baking soda: these leavening agents ensure your coffee cake rises beautifully.
• Egg: binds the ingredients together and adds tenderness.
• Vanilla extract: enhances the overall flavor with its sweet, floral notes.
• Greek yogurt or sour cream: contributes to moistness and a subtle tang that complements the apple cider.
• Chopped Granny Smith apples: tart and crisp, they add texture and a natural fruity brightness.
• Powdered sugar: used for the glaze, providing a smooth, sweet finish with a hint of apple cider flavor.
• Pinch of salt: balances the sweetness and intensifies all the flavors.

How to Make Apple Cider Coffee Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Topping

Start by combining melted butter, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. This mix is your streusel topping, which will create a crunchy, buttery layer with hints of cinnamon on top of your cake. Chill this mixture in the fridge while you move on to the batter to keep the topping ready but firm for sprinkling later.

Step 2: Reduce the Apple Cider

Pour apple cider into a small pot and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Then lower the heat and let it simmer until the volume reduces to half a cup. This reduction intensifies the apple cider’s flavor, ensuring it packs a punch in your cake without adding too much liquid, which keeps the texture perfect.

Step 3: Prepare the Cake Batter

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch pan, lining it with parchment paper that leaves a 2-inch overhang on the sides for easy removal. Whisk together the dry ingredients—flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice—in a separate bowl.

In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which creates a lovely airy texture. Next, add vanilla and the egg, beating until combined. Stir in the cooled reduced apple cider and yogurt or sour cream, then gradually add the dry ingredients. Finally, fold in the chopped apples, which provide juicy bursts of flavor and delightful texture.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, tapping gently to eliminate any air bubbles. Generously sprinkle half a cup of the chilled streusel topping over the batter, creating that signature crumbly layer that makes coffee cake so special. Bake in the oven for 25 to 32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before glazing to keep that glaze layer smooth and glossy.

Step 5: Add the Apple Cider Glaze

Whisk together powdered sugar, a tablespoon plus a half teaspoon of apple cider, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar if necessary, aiming for a drizzle-able glaze. Once the cake is cooled, drizzle this glaze over the top to finish off your Apple Cider Coffee Cake with a perfect sweet and tangy shine.

How to Serve Apple Cider Coffee Cake

Garnishes

For extra charm, garnish your cake with thin apple slices or a light dusting of cinnamon powder on top of the glaze. A few toasted chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts can add a satisfying crunch and nutty aroma that pairs beautifully with the apple and cinnamon flavors.

Side Dishes

This coffee cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot coffee or a chai latte to complement its warm spices. Fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can elevate it from a simple slice to a more decadent dessert, perfect for celebrations or weekend indulgences.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving your Apple Cider Coffee Cake as part of a fall brunch spread with a mix of other seasonal treats. Cut it into small squares or bars for easy sharing at parties, or place slices on beautiful plates drizzled with extra glaze and a sprig of fresh mint for that café-style look everyone will admire.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Apple Cider Coffee Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to keep it fresh longer, refrigeration is your friend—just be sure to bring it back to room temperature before enjoying for the best texture and flavor.

Freezing

If you want to make this cake ahead of time, it freezes beautifully. Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before serving.

Reheating

To bring your cake back to that freshly baked feeling, warm slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or in a low oven (around 300°F) wrapped loosely in foil. This will refresh the texture and make that glaze slightly melty and irresistible all over again.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples for the Apple Cider Coffee Cake?

Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are great for their tartness and firmness, you can use Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples depending on your sweetness preference. Just remember firmer apples will hold their shape better during baking.

Do I need to reduce the apple cider before using it?

Yes, reducing the apple cider concentrates its flavor and prevents the batter from becoming too liquidy. It adds a wonderful depth of apple taste that makes this coffee cake truly special.

Can I make this cake dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute the butter with vegan butter or margarine and use a dairy-free yogurt instead of Greek yogurt or sour cream. Keep the other ingredients the same for the best results.

What makes this coffee cake different from regular coffee cakes?

The use of reduced apple cider infused into the batter and the glaze, combined with fresh chopped apples and the spiced streusel, makes this Apple Cider Coffee Cake stand out with a bright, homey flavor that screams autumn comfort food.

Can I double the recipe for a larger cake?

You can! Just make sure to use a larger pan and adjust the baking time accordingly. Keep an eye on it and do the toothpick test to make sure it’s thoroughly baked but still moist and tender.

Final Thoughts

There’s something incredibly joyful about baking a cake that tastes like the essence of fall in every bite, and this Apple Cider Coffee Cake truly delivers that magic. Whether you’re cozying up on a crisp morning or looking to impress your friends and family with a show-stopping dessert, this recipe will not disappoint. I hope you embrace the flavors, the aromas, and most importantly, the smiles that come with sharing this special cake. Go ahead, make it your own, and enjoy every delicious crumb!

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