Apple Cider Coffee Cake

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Moist buttery cake with a ribbon of cinnamon filling running through the center is topped with diced apples and roasted walnut streusel.  Apple Cider Coffee Cake pairs perfectly with a hot cup of tea or coffee.

Who can resist a buttery cake with the spark of cinnamon and tart apples?  The streusel has some serious crunch from the addition of roasted walnuts.

What makes a coffee cake a coffee cake

The ingredients are similar to a layer cake - butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking soda, or baking powder.  What distinguishes a coffee cake from other cakes is the top layer.  The crunchy and crumbly streusel is the defining characteristic of a coffee cake.  Usually made with butter, flour, and sugar, the combination becomes crunchy bits and bobs when baked, perfect for muffins, crisps, and coffee cakes.  Want to try another recipe that features streusel?  https://tenpoundcakecompany.com/blueberry-sour-cream-muffins/

Another characteristic of coffee cakes is the lack of frosting. But don't worry - the cake is still sweet and flavorful.

Apple Cider Coffee Cake Recipe

There are a few components for this recipe.

• Reduced Apple Cider
• Coffee Cake Filling
• Fresh Apple Topping
• Roasted Walnut Streusel
• Apple Cider Coffee Cake Batter

Each of the separate pieces of the recipe is quick to make and very uncomplicated.  Don't be intimidated by the list.

Reduced Apple Cider

Boiling apple cider creates tasty changes to the liquid.  When boiling cider, the water content evaporates, thereby reducing the volume of the liquid.  This causes a couple of changes -

1. The cider becomes thicker with a viscous quality similar to maple syrup.
2. The flavor becomes concentrated.
3. The color becomes darker and richer.

The following recipe components can be prepared while the cider is reducing.

Coffee Cake Filling

An abundance of cinnamon with brown sugar and cardamom is given a little pop of flavor with the addition of the tiniest bit of lemon juice.  It adds a little brightness to the filling.

Fresh Apple Topping

Fresh apples add texture, flavor, and a punch of acid.  Peel and chop the apples, and gently saute them with a small amount of butter.  The apples are lightly browned which adds a nice depth of flavor to the fruit.  Only saute the apples until they are soft, not mushy.  Add a dusting of cinnamon once the apples are off the heat.

Roasted Walnut Streusel

This layer is like candy, at least that is how I like to eat it!

Roast the walnuts in a 350-degree oven for 9 minutes.  You will smell them roasting.  Be careful, nuts burn quickly - I always burn nuts!

After cooling the nuts for a few minutes, give them a rough chop.  Combine with flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, and lemon juice.  Again the lemon juice works well with the brown sugar, adding a little brightness.  Make sure all the ingredients are combined.

Mash softened butter into the streusel ingredients.  The temperature of the butter is important.  Do not use melted butter.  The softened butter will combine easily with the other ingredients.  If you think the streusel is too warm, put it in the fridge to chill for a couple of minutes.

Apple Cider Coffee Cake Batter

Ingredients

• all-purpose flour
• baking powder
• baking soda
• kosher salt
• softened unsalted butter
• granulated sugar
• brown sugar
• eggs
• egg yolk
• vanilla extract
• sour cream
• reduced apple cider

Making the cake

After finishing the components,  mix the cake batter.  It only takes about 12 minutes.

• Combine the dry ingredients - 1 ½ cups (201 grams) of all-purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt.
• Cream 8 tablespoons ( 112 grams) of unsalted butter with ½ cup ( 103 grams) of granulated sugar and ¼ cup (44 grams) of brown sugar for 5 minutes until light and fluffy.

• Add the yolk to the batter and mix until completely incorporated.
• Add the 2 eggs to the batter, one at a time. Mix each egg completely before adding the next. Make sure to scrape the bowl before you add the egg.
• Slowly add the dry ingredients to the batter, a couple of tablespoons at a time.
• Once the dry ingredients are incorporated, add ½ cup (166 grams) of sour cream. Once the sour cream is mixed in, scrape the bowl.
• Add ¼ cup (60 grams) of reduced apple cider and 2 teaspoons of vanilla to the batter. Mix just until the batter is thoroughly combined.

Assembling the cake

Now the cake comes together by layering the components.

• Coat the baking pan with butter or cooking spray. Spread ½ of the cake batter in the pan, spreading it in an even layer.

• Sprinkle the cinnamon filling across the entire surface of the batter.

• Add the rest of the batter on top of the cinnamon filling. Carefully spread the batter, trying not to disturb the cinnamon filling. However, it's okay if some of the filling gets mixed into the batter.
• Once the batter is spread evenly,  sprinkle the diced apples on top.

• Now evenly distribute the walnut streusel on top of the apples.

• Place the baking pan on top of a cookie sheet or sheet pan and place in the preheated oven.
• Bake the coffee cake for 45 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.
• Let the cake cool before you slice it. When you serve slices of the cake, drizzle some of the reduced apple cider on top as a garnish.

Notes

• I have had the best success baking this coffee cake in metal pans.  Baking the cake in a stoneware dish caused the sides to dry out before the center was fully done.
• If you do not like nuts, use 1 cup of oats as a replacement.
• You will have more reduced apple cider than you need in the recipe for the cake.  Drizzle the top of the cake with the syrupy cider for another layer of apple flavor!

Coffee Date

This cake is worthy of inviting your friends over for a coffee date.  All the warm and toasty spices of fall will fill the air in your home.

The rich flavors and the moist cake are perfect partners for a hot cup of coffee.  Take a break and enjoy Apple Cider Coffee Cake for a morning treat!