Description
This Apple Cider Coffee Cake is a delightful autumn-inspired treat featuring tender cake infused with reduced apple cider and warm spices, topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel and a sweet apple cider glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon snack.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Streusel
- 3 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
For the Coffee Cake
- 1 ¼ cups apple cider, reduced to ½ cup (see instructions)
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ginger, pumpkin pie spice, or allspice
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 ¼ cups chopped apples, preferably Granny Smith
For the Apple Cider Glaze
- 1 tablespoon plus ½ teaspoon apple cider
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup powdered sugar, or more as needed for desired consistency
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Streusel: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Mix until just combined. Place the mixture in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the cake batter.
- Reduce the Apple Cider: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small pot over medium-high heat, bring 1 ¼ cups of apple cider to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until the cider reduces to ½ cup, about 15-20 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
- Prepare the Cake Pan: Butter an 8-inch cake pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving about a 2-inch overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger or pumpkin pie spice/allspice. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter with brown and granulated sugars on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the vanilla extract, then the egg, beating well after each addition. Mix in the cooled reduced apple cider and Greek yogurt or sour cream until combined.
- Combine Batter: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined. Fold in the chopped apples gently so they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Assemble the Cake: Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly using a spatula. Tap the pan sharply on the counter to release any air bubbles. Sprinkle about ½ cup of the chilled streusel evenly over the surface of the batter.
- Bake: Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the cake cools, whisk together the powdered sugar, apple cider, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust consistency with more powdered sugar if needed.
- Glaze the Cake: Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle the apple cider glaze evenly over the top. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Reducing the apple cider concentrates its flavor and removes excess moisture for a better cake texture.
- Using tart apples like Granny Smith adds a lovely contrast to the sweetness of the cake.
- Chilling the streusel before baking helps it hold its shape and adds a delicious crunch.
- Make sure the reduced apple cider is fully cooled before adding to the batter to avoid curdling the yogurt or sour cream.
- This coffee cake is best enjoyed within 2 days but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with vegan butter and Greek yogurt with a dairy-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple cider coffee cake, streusel coffee cake, fall dessert, autumn recipes, breakfast cake, spiced coffee cake, apple dessert
