Apple cider coffee cake is the perfect fall treat: a spiced apple cake topped with a crunchy crumble and finished with an apple-cider glaze. It’s ideal for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or a cozy dessert with coffee—delicious, easy to make, and great for make-ahead serving.
I have your weekend treat!
This apple cider coffee cake will quickly become a fall favorite. It’s perfect for a relaxed morning, a gathering with friends, or a holiday brunch because it keeps well and can be made ahead. Serve it the next morning with coffee for an effortlessly impressive treat.
I prefer apple cider to pumpkin this time of year: apple cider feels fresher and more nostalgic. It’s bright and slightly tart, letting the apple flavor shine without being overly spiced. That crisp apple note pairs beautifully with the soft cake and warm crumb.
The base of the cake includes grated apple and a touch of apple cider, which keeps it moist and flavorful. The batter is adapted from a beloved fruit coffee cake base that’s tender and cakey—perfect with fruit folded in.
The crumble topping is a thick, crunchy streusel scented with cinnamon and nutmeg. I love a generous streusel—sometimes I almost want to eat just the crumb! The apple cider glaze brings everything together with a bright, sweet finish that amplifies the apple flavor.
Cake for breakfast?
Yes—absolutely. Coffee cake is meant to be enjoyed with coffee, and this version makes mornings feel special without a lot of fuss.
Here’s how the cake comes together: a tender apple-studded batter, a buttery crumble, and a simple cider glaze. The result is moist, warmly spiced, and distinctly apple-forward—an ideal seasonal bake.
The thick streusel adds texture and crunch, while the glaze gives the perfect amount of sweetness and a hint of cider tang. This cake is wonderful to share and makes a cozy addition to any fall table.
It’s a great cake to share with others—fantastic on a slow weekend morning or even better for holiday entertaining. Think of it as a warm, apple-scented hug on a plate.
Apple Cider Coffee Cake
Apple Cider Coffee Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup apple cider
- 2 cups grated apple
Crumb topping
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
Apple cider glaze
- 1 heaping cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup apple cider
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick baking spray that contains flour, and place the pan on a baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and apple pie spice.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, then beat in the vanilla.
- Beat in half of the dry ingredients, then add the milk and apple cider. Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the grated apple with a spatula.
- Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan. Make the streusel and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the batter.
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cake for 15 to 20 minutes, remove the springform ring, then drizzle with the apple cider glaze. Allow the cake to cool completely before serving.
Crumb topping
- Whisk together the brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and melted butter until the sugar begins to dissolve. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon until the mixture becomes crumbly—like coarse sand. Sprinkle the crumb over the cake batter before baking.
Apple cider glaze
- Whisk the powdered sugar, vanilla, and apple cider until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more cider, 1 teaspoon at a time, if too thick, or more powdered sugar a few tablespoons at a time if too thin.
Did you make this recipe?
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The crunchy crumb!