Whether you like it plain, with a thin glaze stripe, or as a morning coffee friend, this cake is comfort in every bite. And if you're feeling an extra layer of indulgence, go for the Brown Butter Apple Walnut Coffee Cake variation.
The browned butter is a nice touch, lending a rich nuttiness that plays well off the sweetness of apples and add crunch and heft from walnuts. The two recipes couldn’t be easier to make, they are both moist and perfect for a lazy breakfast in or brunch gathering or afternoon tea (rainy day) moment.
Walnut and Apple Coffee Cake
It features a rich walnut crumb and
brown sugar topping, along with a delicious, semi-dense apple cake. You can
serve it plain or with a glaze drizzle. In any case, it tastes fantastic! An
8x8" pan is required for this recipe. You will need to double the recipe
and extend the cooking time if you want to make it in a 13x9 pan or bundt.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Ingredients to Make Walnut and Apple Coffee Cake
Cake:
- 1/4 cup of oil
- One egg
- Half a cup of milk
- One 3/4 cup sugar and 1 1/2 cups flour
- Baking powder, two teaspoons
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 cup of apples, chopped
- Half a cup of brown sugar
- Two tablespoons of flour
- Two teaspoons of cinnamon
- Two tablespoons of melted butter
- Half a cup of walnuts
- 3/4 cup of powdered sugar
- One T of milk
Instructions to Make Walnut and Apple Coffee Cake
- Set the oven's temperature to 375°.
- Combine the baking powder, flour, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla should be gently combined in a different mixing bowl. Toss in the dry ingredients with the egg mix. Avoid over-stirring. Stir in the chopped apples. Fill an 8 x 8 pan with oil and put it aside.
- Combine the topping ingredients in a small bowl and stir until well combined. Evenly distribute them on top of the pan's batter. About halfway down, gently press the majority of the topping into the batter with a wooden spoon. Additionally, leave a little on top.
- Your toothpick should come out clean after 25 minutes of baking. (Note: for the bundt, double the recipe and bake for 50 minutes.)
- Serve cold or warm.
Brown Butter Apple Walnut Coffee Cake
This soft coffee cake is a cozy taste of fall, with tangy apples and a spiced crumb topping. A hint of apple pie spice adds the ideal seasonal blend of flavors—cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger—while fragrant brown butter gives the batter a nutty flavor.
Leave the skin on the apples before folding them into the cake's base with chopped walnuts to prevent them from getting mushy and to give the cake a pop of color.
Total time to make this recipe: 1 hour 20 minutes
Ingredients to Make this Brown Butter Apple Walnut Coffee Cake
For the streusel topping:
- Half a cup of all-purpose flour
- Half a cup of brown sugar, packed
- One teaspoon of ground cinnamon or apple pie spice
- Half a teaspoon of salt
- Six tablespoons of cold, diced unsalted butter
- Half a cup of chopped walnuts
For the coffee cake:
- Eight tablespoons of unsalted butter, with extra for pan greasing
- Half a cup of granulated sugar
- Half a cup of brown sugar, packed
- Two large eggs
- One teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Half a cup of room-temperature plain full-fat Greek yogurt
- Two cups of all-purpose flour
- One teaspoon of baking powder
- Half a teaspoon of baking soda
- Half a teaspoon of salt
- Two teaspoons of ground cinnamon or apple pie spice
- Two medium-sized, firm, tart apples, chopped and cored
- 3/4 cup of walnuts, chopped
Instructions to Make Brown Butter Apple Walnut Coffee Cake
For the streusel:
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, apple pie spice, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until coarse crumbs appear. While preparing the cake, stir in the walnuts and place them in the refrigerator.
For the cake:
- Set the oven temperature to 350°F. Grease a baking dish or cake pan with a 9-inch diameter with butter, then set it aside.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt eight tablespoons of butter. Swirl the pan occasionally and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the butter begins to become golden-brown and smells nutty. Take the pan off the burner right away and let the butter cool a little.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and browned butter and whisk until thoroughly blended. One by one, add the eggs. Stir the eggs thoroughly after each addition. Whisk in the yogurt and vanilla once more.
- Stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice in another large mixing bowl. Stir just until incorporated after adding the flour mixture to the butter-sugar mixture. Fold in the walnuts and apples until they are well combined.
- Evenly distribute the batter after pouring it into the baking dish or pan. Evenly distribute the streusel topping over the batter. Put the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs. Before slicing, let the cake cool for at least fifteen minutes.
FAQs: Walnut and Apple Coffee Cake Recipe Plus Brown Butter Apple Walnut Coffee Cake Variation
Can I substitute other nuts for walnuts in this coffee cake?
Yes! You can just as easily replace pecans with almonds or hazelnuts. Every nut variety contributes a slightly different flavor and crunch so use what you like or have on hand.
What kind of apples are best for coffee cakes?
Use Firm, Tart Apples for Coffee Cakes. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apples all work well in coffee cake. They keep their shape in the oven, and counterbalance the sweetness of the cake with a mild tang.
How do you keep coffee cake fresh?
Cool completely before storing, then store your coffee cake in an airtight container — it can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to five. To serve it warm, give slices a 10–15 second nuke in the microwave.
Conclusion: Walnut and Apple Coffee Cake Recipe Plus Brown Butter Apple Walnut Coffee Cake Variation
These two coffee cakes—Walnut and Apple Coffee Cake, and Brown Butter Apple Walnut Coffee Cake—are both homey treats that come as close to mimicking fall’s flavors as any in the repertoire.
Sweet apples, crunchy walnuts, and warm spices make them perfect for breakfast, for brunch, or an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee. Whether you choose the traditional recipe or its brown butter counterpart, each bite is tender and nutty with an enticing fragrance that you’ll want to repeat over and over again.
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