Simple Apple Pie Coffee Cake Recipe That’s Cozy & Sweet

My grandma’s secret spiced apple pie coffee cake recipe brings memories of cozy autumn mornings flooding back.

Warm cinnamon swirls dance through soft, buttery layers that melt on your tongue.

Crisp apples nestled within tender crumb create magic in every delectable bite.

Comfort feels like this delightful breakfast treat sliding onto your plate.

Kitchen aromas will tempt everyone wandering nearby with sweet promises of pure deliciousness.

Baking becomes an adventure when traditional flavors blend into something extraordinary.

You won’t be able to resist cutting that first incredible slice.

FAQs

• Is this recipe beginner-friendly?

Yes, this recipe is super easy and requires basic baking skills. The instructions are straightforward, and you can use a boxed cake mix to simplify the process.

• Can I use fresh apples instead of canned pie filling?

While the recipe calls for canned apple pie filling, you can substitute with 2-3 diced fresh apples mixed with cinnamon and a little sugar. Just ensure they’re thinly sliced for even baking.

• What if I don't have rolled oats for the crumb topping?

No worries! You can skip the oats or replace them with chopped nuts like pecans or almonds. The crumb topping will still be delicious and add a nice texture to the cake.

Apple Pie Coffee Cake Highlights

• Breeze Through Baking: Minimal prep steps and simple ingredients make this recipe accessible for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned home cooks.
• Comfort in Every Bite: Combines classic apple pie flavors with coffee cake texture, creating a nostalgic dessert that feels like a warm hug and satisfies sweet cravings.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, brunches, or casual weekend treats that everyone from kids to grandparents will love and appreciate.
• One-Pan Wonder: Requires only a single baking dish, reducing cleanup time and making this recipe a convenient option for busy households wanting a delicious homemade dessert.

Ingredients to Make Apple Pie Coffee Cake

• Yellow Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides structure and sweetness to the coffee cake.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and moisture to the cake batter.
• Water: Helps blend the cake mix ingredients smoothly.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and create a tender cake texture.

• Apple Pie Filling: Provides a classic apple flavor and juicy texture to the coffee cake.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that complements the apple filling.

• Brown Sugar, Rolled Oats, Flour: Create a crunchy, sweet topping with interesting texture.
• Nuts: Optional ingredient that adds extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Powdered Sugar, Milk: Combine to make a smooth, sweet glaze for drizzling over the finished cake.

Step-by-Step Apple Pie Coffee Cake Guide

Step 1: Set the Stage for Baking

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a generous spray of non-stick coating or a smooth butter rub-down.

Step 2: Create the Cake Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and toss in the yellow cake mix. Pour in melted butter, water, and eggs.

Whip everything together until the batter looks silky smooth and perfectly blended.

Step 3: First Layer Foundation

Pour half of your dreamy batter into the prepared baking dish.

Spread it out evenly, creating a soft golden canvas.

Step 4: Apple Wonderland

Spread the apple pie filling across the first batter layer.

Sprinkle a generous dusting of cinnamon to add warm, spicy magic.

Step 5: Craft the Crumbly Topping

• Brown sugar
• Rolled oats
• All-purpose flour
• Chopped nuts (optional)

Mix everything until it looks like delicious, crumbly goodness.

Step 6: Build Your Cake Masterpiece

Scatter the crumb mixture evenly over the apple filling. Gently pour the remaining batter on top, carefully covering the crumbs.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Step 8: Whip Up the Glaze

While the cake bakes, whisk powdered sugar and milk until you’ve got a smooth, drizzle-ready glaze.

Step 9: Final Touches

Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes, then drizzle that luscious glaze all over the top.

Serve up squares of this heavenly treat alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea. Enjoy every single bite!

Pro Tips to Perfect Apple Pie Coffee Cake

• Add an extra tablespoon of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the cake batter for an incredibly tender, rich texture.
• Experiment with different pie fillings like peach or cherry to create unique flavor profiles that complement the cake base.
• Toss apple pie filling with a tablespoon of flour to help distribute evenly and prevent pooling at the bottom of the cake.
• Toast nuts before adding to the crumb topping to enhance their natural flavor and provide a deeper, more complex taste.
• Adjust the milk quantity gradually when making the glaze to achieve the perfect drizzling thickness for a beautiful finish.

Apple Pie Coffee Cake Flavor Twists

• Gluten-Free Apple Pie Coffee Cake: Replace yellow cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Apple Delight Cake: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter alternative, and choose dairy-free milk for glaze.
• Low-Sugar Apple Spice Cake: Substitute regular cake mix with sugar-free mix, use sugar-free apple pie filling, and reduce brown sugar in crumb topping.
• Nutty Autumn Coffee Cake: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to both cake batter and crumb topping for extra crunch and rich flavor profile.

Ideal Pairings with Apple Pie Coffee Cake

Complement the apple pie coffee cake’s warm spices with a smooth caramel macchiato, enhancing the cake’s sweet cinnamon notes and creamy undertones.

Top a warm slice with vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful temperature contrast and adding rich, creamy sweetness that melts into the cake’s crumbly texture.

Choose a spiced chai latte to echo the cake’s cinnamon and apple flavors, bringing out deeper warmth and complementing the dessert’s homey, comforting profile.

Add a light drizzle of salted caramel sauce over each slice, intensifying the cake’s sweetness and providing a luxurious, sophisticated finish to the dessert.

Storing Apple Pie Coffee Cake Safely

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover with plastic wrap or lid to maintain moisture and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Warm individual slices for 15-20 seconds on medium power. Check temperature and add 5-10 seconds if needed. Avoid overheating to prevent dryness.

Spiced Apple Pie Coffee Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Warm kitchen aromas welcome you with this spiced apple pie coffee cake, a delightful fusion of classic dessert flavors. Cinnamon-kissed crumbles and tender apple chunks create a comforting slice that promises pure autumn indulgence for your breakfast or afternoon treat.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 can (21 ounces / 595 grams) apple pie filling
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup water

Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together yellow cake mix, melted butter, water, and eggs until the batter achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
3. Gently transfer half of the cake batter into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.
4. Delicately spread the apple pie filling over the initial batter layer, then dust generously with ground cinnamon.
5. Create the crumb topping by combining brown sugar, rolled oats, flour, and optional chopped nuts in a separate bowl, mixing until the ingredients are well integrated.
6. Distribute the crumb mixture evenly across the apple filling, then carefully pour the remaining cake batter on top, using a spatula to cover the surface smoothly.
7. Position the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean.
8. During baking, prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar and milk until achieving a fluid, drizzle-friendly consistency.
9. Allow the cake to cool for approximately 10 minutes after removing from the oven, then elegantly drizzle the glaze over the top.
10. Slice into generous squares and serve either warm or at room temperature, ideal alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea.

Notes

• Swap cake mix for gluten-free version to accommodate dietary restrictions and make recipe celiac-friendly.
• Reduce sugar content by using unsweetened apple pie filling and cutting down on glaze ingredients for a lighter dessert option.
• Toast nuts before adding to crumb topping to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex taste profile.
• Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of glaze to balance sweetness and elevate the overall flavor complexity of the coffee cake.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 378 kcal
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg