Applesauce Coffee Cake Recipe

This Applesauce Coffee Cake features a buttery crumb topping and stays incredibly moist thanks to unsweetened applesauce. Perfect for breakfast or dessert!

Quick Recipe Overview

WHAT: A tender cinnamon-spiced cake with a sweet streusel topping that uses applesauce to keep every bite perfectly moist.

WHY: Simple pantry ingredients create an impressive cake that’s equally perfect for weekend brunch or afternoon coffee breaks.

HOW: Mix wet and dry ingredients separately, combine them gently, spread in a pan, top with cinnamon crumbles, and bake until golden.

Jump to Recipe

Why I Love Making Applesauce Coffee Cake

This coffee cake has saved me more times than I can count. When my mother-in-law calls to say she’s stopping by for coffee, or when I need something special for a weekend brunch that doesn’t require a grocery store run, this is the recipe I reach for. It uses simple pantry staples – no sour cream or buttermilk needed!

The applesauce does double duty here. Not only does it keep the cake incredibly moist (even a day or two later), but it also adds a subtle sweetness and lets me cut back on butter without sacrificing flavor. My kids request this for Saturday morning breakfast, and I love that I can feel good about serving them something with fruit baked right in.

The brown sugar crumb topping takes this cake a notch higher. It gets wonderfully crunchy on top while the cake stays tender underneath. The cinnamon weaves through both the topping and the cake itself, filling your kitchen with the most wonderful aroma.

Ingredient Notes

Applesauce: Use unsweetened applesauce for this cake recipe to control the sweetness level. The sweetened varieties can make the cake overly sweet and throw off the sugar balance. Regular smooth applesauce works best – chunky applesauce can create uneven texture.

Baking Soda: This is your leavening agent since the recipe doesn’t use baking powder. Make sure yours is fresh and active – if it’s been sitting in your pantry for over 6 months, test it by adding a little to vinegar. It should fizz vigorously.

Butter for Topping vs. Cake: Notice that the crumb topping uses melted butter while the cake batter calls for softened butter. This isn’t a mistake! Melted butter creates those crispy, crumbly clusters on top, while softened butter creams properly with the sugar for the cake’s structure.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How To Make Applesauce Coffee Cake

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray an 8×8-inch baking pan. Mix the crumb topping ingredients until they form coarse crumbles that hold together when squeezed, then set aside.

Step 2: Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures even distribution of leavening and spices throughout the cake.

Step 3: Beat softened butter and sugar in a large bowl until well blended. Add the egg and applesauce, mixing until the mixture is smooth and uniform.

Step 4: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until no flour streaks remain. The batter will be thick but spreadable.

Step 5: Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan and sprinkle crumb topping over the entire surface. Bake 40-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes. The cake is delicious warm, at room temperature, or even chilled from the refrigerator.

Substitutions & Variations

Make It Dairy-Free

Replace the butter with melted coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious. Use the same measurements.

Add Texture and Flavor

Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins to the batter before baking. You can also add chocolate chips for a sweeter variation the kids will love. For extra autumn flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon each of nutmeg and ginger along with the cinnamon.

Sour Cream Version

For an even richer, more tender coffee cake, replace half the applesauce (1/2 cup) with sour cream. This creates a more traditional cream coffee cake texture while still benefiting from the moisture of the applesauce.

Gluten-Free Option

Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. Make sure it contains xanthan gum. The texture will be slightly more delicate, so handle the cake gently when removing from the pan.

Double the Crumb Topping

If you’re a streusel topping fanatic like my husband, go ahead and make 1.5x or even double the crumb topping recipe. Sprinkle it generously over the batter – it’s practically impossible to have too much of that cinnamon-brown sugar goodness!

What to Serve With Applesauce Coffee Cake

This coffee cake is wonderful for breakfast or brunch alongside freshly brewed coffee, hot tea, or a latte. The cinnamon flavors pair beautifully with rich, bold coffee.

For a complete brunch spread, serve it with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and fresh fruit salad. The sweetness of the cake balances nicely with savory breakfast items.

Make it an indulgent breakfast treat by serving warm slices with a dollop of Greek yogurt and fresh berries. The tangy yogurt complements the sweet cinnamon topping perfectly.

For an afternoon snack, pair it with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. It transforms this simple coffee cake into an elegant dessert.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Room Temperature

Store covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The cake stays moist and delicious without refrigeration for short-term storage.

Refrigerator Storage

Well-wrapped cake keeps for up to 5 days in the fridge. Bring slices to room temperature before serving, or warm briefly in the microwave (15-20 seconds).

Freezer Storage

Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for several hours.

Make Ahead

You can mix the dry ingredients and prepare the crumb topping the night before. Store them separately in covered bowls. In the morning, just mix the wet ingredients and combine everything – you’ll have fresh coffee cake in under an hour!

Reheating

Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or reheat the whole cake covered with foil at 300°F for 10-15 minutes.

Similar Recipes to Try

• Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake: It’s a sweet, moist and buttery soft cake
• Gingerbread Coffee Cake: It has warm spices, sour cream for moisture, and a brown sugar streusel layer baked right inside
• Peach Coffee Cake With Crumb Topping: It has fresh peaches, cinnamon crumb topping, and sweet glaze
• Blueberry Coffee Cake: It’s moist, tender, and bursting with juicy blueberries