The Ultimate Apple Sauce Coffee Cake Recipe You’ll Love

There’s nothing quite like the cozy aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and fresh-baked cake filling your kitchen. This apple sauce coffee cake is the ultimate comfort treat — moist, fluffy, and topped with a buttery streusel crumble that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re serving it as a sweet breakfast, a brunch centerpiece, or a comforting dessert, this recipe is a delicious way to make use of simple pantry staples like applesauce and brown sugar.

Unlike traditional cakes, the applesauce keeps this coffee cake incredibly soft and naturally sweet, while the cinnamon-spiced crumble topping gives it that irresistible bakery-style finish. Perfect for fall gatherings, holiday mornings, or just when you’re craving something sweet and homemade, this apple sauce coffee cake will quickly become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Sauce Coffee Cake

If you’re searching for a cake that’s simple, comforting, and full of flavor, this apple sauce coffee cake checks all the boxes. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your recipe collection:

Homemade apple sauce coffee cake with cinnamon streusel topping served on a plate

A Cozy Mix of Flavors

The combination of applesauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar creates that classic “warm and spiced” taste we all love in fall desserts. Every bite is sweet, aromatic, and perfectly balanced without being overly rich.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Whether you want something sweet for breakfast, a special brunch centerpiece, or a light dessert to pair with coffee or tea, this apple sauce coffee cake is versatile enough to fit the moment. It’s casual yet elegant, making it great for everyday baking or holiday gatherings.

Moist and Fluffy Texture

Thanks to the applesauce, this cake stays incredibly moist without the need for extra butter or oil. It’s soft, fluffy, and has that melt-in-your-mouth texture you’d expect from a bakery-style coffee cake.

Simple and Easy Recipe

No complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients are required. With just a few pantry staples and one mixing bowl, you can have a homemade cake ready to bake in under 15 minutes. Even beginner bakers will find success with this recipe.

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Coffee Cake

The secret to this apple sauce coffee cake lies in its simple, well-balanced ingredients. Each one plays a key role in creating the soft texture, warm flavor, and irresistible streusel topping. Here’s everything you’ll need:

📝 Cake Batter Ingredients

2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour – the base of the cake, giving it structure
1 teaspoon baking powder – helps the cake rise and stay fluffy
1 teaspoon baking soda – balances the acidity of the applesauce for perfect lift
½ teaspoon salt – enhances all the flavors
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – adds warmth and spice
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg – complements the apple flavor beautifully
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar – for sweetness
½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened – adds richness
2 large eggs – bind the ingredients and provide structure
1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened applesauce – keeps the cake moist and naturally sweet
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – for depth of flavor

📝 Streusel Topping Ingredients

½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed – caramel-like sweetness
½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour – creates the crumbly texture
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – warm spice for the topping
¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed – ensures a crumbly, buttery finish

🍴 Essential Tools and Utensils

Mixing bowls (one large, one medium, one small)
Hand mixer or stand mixer (a whisk works too for manual mixing)
Measuring cups and spoons
Spatula or wooden spoon
9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking pan
Oven preheated to 350°F (175°C)
Cooling rack

With these ingredients and tools, you’ll have everything you need to create a moist, fluffy apple sauce coffee cake with the perfect streusel topping.

Step-by-Step Recipe for Apple Sauce Coffee Cake

Baking this apple sauce coffee cake is simple and straightforward. Follow these easy steps to get a moist, fluffy cake topped with a delicious cinnamon streusel.

Prepare Your Tools and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan with butter or non-stick spray, and lightly dust with flour.
Gather your mixing bowls, hand or stand mixer, measuring cups, spoons, spatula, and whisk.

Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together:
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Set aside.

Cream Butter, Sugar, and Eggs

In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together:
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
Mix until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
Add 2 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Add the Applesauce

Mix in 1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened applesauce until smooth.
The batter may look slightly separated, but it will come together once the dry ingredients are added.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet mixture.
Mix on low speed or fold gently with a spatula until just combined (do not overmix).

Prepare the Streusel Topping

In a small bowl, combine:
- ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
- ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cut in ¼ cup (60 g) cold unsalted butter (cubed) using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly.

Assemble the Cake

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the top.

Bake the Coffee Cake

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool for at least 15–20 minutes on a wire rack before slicing.

Serve and Enjoy

Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze if desired.
Slice into squares and serve warm with coffee, tea, or apple cider.

Delicious Variations and Serving Ideas

One of the best things about this apple sauce coffee cake is its versatility. You can easily adapt it to suit your taste, dietary needs, or the occasion. Here are some creative variations and serving suggestions to make this recipe truly your own:

Add Chopped Apples or Nuts

For extra texture and flavor, fold 1 cup of finely chopped apples into the batter before baking. You can also add ½ cup of walnuts or pecans for a nutty crunch that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon streusel topping.

Make It Gluten-Free or Vegan

Gluten-free option: Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
Vegan option: Swap the eggs for flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 6 tablespoons water) and use dairy-free butter. The applesauce already adds natural moisture, making it perfect for vegan baking.

Add a Sweet Finishing Touch

Take your cake to the next level with toppings:

Drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
Add a light dusting of powdered sugar for a bakery-style finish.
For extra indulgence, drizzle with warm caramel sauce or cream cheese icing.

Perfect Pairings for Serving

This cake is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving:

Enjoy a slice warm with a cup of coffee or black tea for a cozy breakfast.
Pair it with a glass of spiced apple cider for the ultimate fall treat.
Serve it as a light dessert after dinner, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips for Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

One of the best things about this apple sauce coffee cake is that it keeps well, making it perfect for meal prep, holiday gatherings, or enjoying over several days. Follow these storage tips to keep your cake moist, flavorful, and fresh.

Storing at Room Temperature

Once the cake has completely cooled, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container.
It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2–3 days.
To keep the streusel topping crunchy, avoid refrigerating unless necessary.

Refrigerating for Longer Freshness

If you want to extend the shelf life, place the cake in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
It will last for up to 5–6 days, though the streusel may soften slightly.
To restore texture, simply warm it in the oven before serving.

Freezing Coffee Cake Slices

This apple sauce coffee cake freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Freeze for up to 2–3 months.
For best results, label with the date to keep track of freshness.

Reheating to Enjoy Warm

For individual slices: microwave for 15–20 seconds to restore softness.
For larger portions: warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10–15 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked flavor.
If reheating frozen slices, let them thaw at room temperature for about an hour before warming.

With these simple storage and reheating tips, you can enjoy a moist, flavorful apple sauce coffee cake anytime — whether fresh out of the oven or straight from the freezer.