Velvety Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake Recipe

Sweet Apple Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe: A Cozy Morning Treat

Baking a delightful cream cheese apple coffee cake bursts with comforting autumn flavors that dance across your taste buds.

Sweet apples and rich cream cheese weave magic through this tender, moist dessert.

Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg embrace each crumbly bite with deep, nostalgic warmth.

Soft cream cheese creates a luxurious layer that melts perfectly between soft cake and caramelized apple chunks.

Weekend mornings or lazy afternoons become extra special with this irresistible treat.

Weekend bakers will love how simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s create a slice of pure deliciousness that promises to make every moment sweeter.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 330 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients That Make Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake Special

For Cake Base:
  • Butter: Adds rich, creamy texture and enhances overall flavor profile with its smooth, velvety character.
  • Brown Sugar: Provides deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps create a moist, tender crumb.
  • White Sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to the cake's golden-brown exterior.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and creates a light, fluffy structure.
  • Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture retention and adds softness to the cake.
  • Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic depth and enhances other flavors.
  • Flour: Forms the fundamental structure of the cake with its protein-rich composition.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Provide essential leavening for a light, airy texture.
  • Salt: Amplifies and balances the overall flavor profile.
  • Cinnamon: Adds warm, spicy undertones that complement the apple.
  • Apples: Bring natural sweetness, moisture, and fresh fruity bursts to the cake.
For Cream Cheese Layer:
  • Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, luxurious layer with smooth, velvety consistency.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese filling and balances its tanginess.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the cream cheese's flavor with subtle aromatic notes.
For Streusel Topping:
  • White Sugar: Adds crisp, sweet crunch to the topping.
  • Brown Sugar: Provides caramel-like depth and helps create a golden crust.
  • Flour: Helps bind the streusel ingredients and create a crumbly texture.

Tools for Baking Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake

  • Mixing Bowls: Large, clean bowls for combining ingredients separately.
  • Electric Mixer or Whisk: Essential for beating butter and creating fluffy mixtures.
  • 8×8 Inch Square Baking Pan: Greased and perfect for even cake baking.
  • Pastry Blender or Hands: Ideal for cutting cold butter into streusel topping.
  • Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for accurate recipe results.
  • Spatula: Helps fold apples and spread batters evenly.
  • Knife: Useful for chopping apples into small pieces.

Putting Together Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake

  • Kitchen Prep

Warm up the oven and get your baking pan ready by lightly greasing an 8×8 inch square dish. This creates a smooth, non-stick surface for your delightful dessert.

  • Cake Batter Magic

Grab a mixing bowl and combine butter with sugars, whipping them into a fluffy cloud. Introduce the egg, oil, and vanilla, blending everything into a smooth, silky mixture. In another bowl, mix dry ingredients – flour, baking soda, powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gently fold these into your butter mixture, then softly stir in chopped apples.

  • Creamy Surprise Layer

Whip cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until it becomes a dreamy, soft layer. Spread this luxurious mixture evenly across your cake batter, creating a tantalizing hidden center.

  • Crunchy Topping Delight

Mix sugars, flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Crumble cold butter into the dry ingredients using your fingers, creating a delightful, crumbly texture. Sprinkle this golden topping across the cream cheese layer.

  • Baking Perfection

Slide your cake into the preheated oven. Bake for about 45 minutes until the streusel turns a gorgeous golden brown and the center feels perfectly set.

  • Cooling and Serving

Let the cake cool completely before slicing. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for a tasty treat later.

Tips to Tweak Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake

  • Replace apples with pears, peaches, or berries to create unique flavor combinations that will surprise your taste buds.
  • Sprinkle chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds into the streusel topping for extra crunch and a delightful nutty dimension.
  • Experiment with warm spices like nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger to elevate the cake's aromatic profile and add depth to the flavor.
  • Substitute cream cheese with a non-dairy alternative like coconut cream or vegan cream cheese to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Serving Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake Warm and Sweet

  • Serve Warm and Cozy: Slice the coffee cake while slightly warm to enjoy the gooey cream cheese layer and soft apple chunks, perfect for a comforting breakfast or afternoon treat.
  • Pair with Beverages: Complement the cake's sweet and spicy notes with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk to enhance the overall flavor experience.
  • Garnish Creatively: Dust the top with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or add a dollop of whipped cream to elevate the presentation and add an extra touch of indulgence.
  • Store and Reheat Smartly: Keep the cake refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, and gently warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before serving to restore its soft texture.

Storing Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake the Right Way

  • Store Smartly: Keep the coffee cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining its delicious texture and flavor.
  • Freeze for Later: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a quick treat when cravings hit.
  • Revive Freshness: Warm chilled or frozen slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before enjoying the soft, moist cake.
  • Serve with Flair: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow it to come to room temperature, enhancing its creamy texture and rich apple flavors.
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Velvety Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake Recipe

Velvety Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Homemade cream cheese apple coffee cake delivers classic comfort with rich flavors and tender crumb. Spiced apples and creamy filling create a delightful dessert you’ll savor with morning coffee or afternoon tea.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (226 g) softened cream cheese
  • 8 oz (226 g) softened cream cheese
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups chopped apples
  • ½ cup (1 stick or 113 g) butter, softened
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup flour
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 6 tbsps cold butter
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tbsps white sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tbsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and coat an 8×8 inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Cake Mixture: Blend softened butter, white and brown sugars until fluffy. Introduce egg, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and integrated.
  3. Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, then incorporate chopped apples, distributing evenly.
  4. Batter Layer: Spread cake batter uniformly in prepared pan, creating an even surface.
  5. Cream Cheese Topping: Whip room-temperature cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until silky, then spread carefully over cake batter.
  6. Streusel Creation: Combine sugars, flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Cut cold butter into mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  7. Final Assembly: Sprinkle streusel generously over cream cheese layer, ensuring complete coverage.
  8. Baking Process: Cook in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until streusel turns golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
  9. Cooling and Storage: Allow cake to cool completely in pan for one hour, then slice. Store in refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients to maintain a tender, light cake texture and avoid developing tough gluten.
  • Temperature Matters: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for smoother blending and more consistent baking results.
  • Even Baking Tip: Spread batter and toppings uniformly to guarantee consistent texture and prevent uneven cooking throughout the cake.
  • Topping Technique: Press streusel crumbs lightly into the cream cheese layer to help them adhere and create a crispy, cohesive topping during baking.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 330
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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