Delightful Apple Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping – Your Ultimate Fall Breakfast & Dessert
Discover the perfect blend of seasonal flavors with this Apple Pumpkin Coffee Cake. Grated apples ensure an incredibly moist texture, while pumpkin and warm spices infuse every bite with the essence of autumn. Topped with a generous, irresistible streusel, it’s an ideal treat for any fall occasion, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Embracing the Cozy Flavors of Fall with a Perfect Coffee Cake
There’s an undeniable warmth and comfort that comes with fall baking, and few treats capture that feeling quite like a freshly baked coffee cake. For me, coffee cake isn’t just a recipe; it’s a cherished weekend tradition, a sweet memory from childhood that I continue to adore today. The aroma of cinnamon and sugar baking in the oven instantly transports me to cozy mornings and leisurely breakfasts.
While classic coffee cakes, like our beloved Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake, hold a special place in my heart, the autumn season inspires a desire for rich, seasonal flavors. This year, we’re giving the traditional coffee cake a magnificent fall makeover by incorporating the quintessential tastes of the season: pumpkin and apple. This isn’t just any fall-inspired cake; it’s a masterpiece that promises exceptional moisture, deep autumnal flavor, and a truly irresistible streusel topping.
The Perfect Harmony: Why Apples and Pumpkin Belong in Your Fall Coffee Cake
The markets during autumn are overflowing with crisp, juicy apples and vibrant, earthy pumpkins, making them ideal candidates for pairing in delicious baked goods. Instead of using them separately, this recipe brilliantly combines both to create a coffee cake that is greater than the sum of its parts. The inclusion of shredded apples is a game-changer for moisture, ensuring every slice is incredibly tender and stays fresh for days. Beyond texture, apples contribute a delicate sweetness and a hint of tartness that beautifully cuts through the richness of the pumpkin, adding a bright counterpoint to the overall flavor profile.
Pumpkin, of course, is the heart of fall baking. Its smooth puree lends a wonderfully soft texture and a distinct, comforting flavor that pairs exquisitely with an array of warm spices. When combined with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves—often found in pumpkin pie spice—the pumpkin transforms this coffee cake into an aromatic, flavorful delight. This dynamic duo of apple and pumpkin creates a balanced and complex taste experience that truly embodies the spirit of fall. Much like our popular Apple Pie Bread, the addition of a sweet, buttery streusel takes this coffee cake to an entirely new level of deliciousness!
The Irresistible Allure of a Golden Streusel Topping
A coffee cake simply isn’t complete without a generous, crumbly streusel topping, and this Apple Pumpkin Coffee Cake features one that you won’t be able to resist. That sweet, buttery crumble is what many home bakers and eaters eagerly anticipate, and it truly elevates a simple cake into a special occasion treat. Our streusel is crafted from a straightforward blend of flour, rich brown sugar, neutral oil, and fragrant cinnamon, creating a perfectly textured topping that crisps up beautifully during baking. It provides a delightful textural contrast to the soft, moist cake beneath, adding layers of flavor and an addictive crunch.
I briefly considered adding a light vanilla glaze over the top, thinking it might add an extra touch of elegance. However, I ultimately decided against it. My goal for this cake was for it to be a decadent yet perfectly acceptable breakfast item, and a glaze often pushes a dish firmly into dessert territory. The streusel alone is more than enough to make this cake shine brilliantly for a morning treat. Keep this Apple Pumpkin Coffee Cake recipe close by for any occasion: a grand Thanksgiving morning feast, a delightful brunch with guests, or even just a regular Tuesday when you crave a little something extra special to brighten your day.
A Health-Conscious Choice: Baking with Mazola® Corn Oil
When developing this pumpkin coffee cake, I made a conscious choice to use Mazola® Corn Oil. This decision wasn’t just about achieving a perfectly moist cake; it also brought potential health benefits to the table. Using a neutral-flavored oil like corn oil in baking is excellent because it allows the star flavors of apple and pumpkin, along with their complementary spices, to truly shine without any interference. You’ll be delighted to find that this coffee cake is wonderfully rich and satisfying, with a tender crumb that could easily be mistaken for one made with butter, yet it feels lighter and offers a smart alternative.
Moreover, recent studies have shown compelling advantages of corn oil. Research indicates that corn oil can significantly help in reducing cholesterol levels, exhibiting more favorable changes in total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C (often referred to as “bad” cholesterol) compared to extra virgin olive oil. This positive effect is largely due to corn oil’s natural content of plant sterols, which are known for their cholesterol-blocking capabilities. For me, incorporating ingredients that can have positive impacts on blood cholesterol levels while still delivering incredible taste is a huge win. It’s truly a fantastic bonus when you can enjoy a delicious homemade cake that’s a little bit better for you!
Expert Tips for Baking Your Best Apple Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Achieving the perfect Apple Pumpkin Coffee Cake is simple with a few helpful tips:
- Choosing the Right Apples: For optimal flavor and texture, select firm, crisp apples that can hold up during baking. Varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji are excellent choices. A slightly tart apple will beautifully balance the sweetness of the cake and the pumpkin.
- Pumpkin Puree vs. Pumpkin Pie Filling: It’s crucial to use 100% pure canned pumpkin puree for this recipe, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling comes pre-spiced and sweetened, which would alter the intended flavor and sweetness level of your coffee cake. Always check the label!
- Avoid Overmixing the Batter: When you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix them until they are just barely incorporated. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tougher, less tender cake. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly acceptable and won’t affect the final product.
- The Benefits of Grated Apples: Grating the apples ensures they distribute evenly throughout the batter, providing consistent moisture in every bite. They also soften beautifully as the cake bakes, integrating seamlessly without creating large, chunky pieces.
- Cooling is Key: While the warm aroma right out of the oven is incredibly tempting, allow your coffee cake to cool for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the cake to fully set, making it easier to cut clean slices and ensuring the streusel topping has a chance to firm up to its ideal crumbly texture.
- Storing Your Coffee Cake: Store any leftovers at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days to maintain its moisture and freshness. For longer storage, you can freeze individual slices, well-wrapped, for up to 2-3 months.
Your Go-To Treat for Fall Brunches and Beyond
This Apple Pumpkin Coffee Cake is destined to become a beloved centerpiece at all your fall gatherings, from casual weekend brunches to elegant holiday events. It’s infused with all the comforting cinnamon and pumpkin spice flavors that we adore in autumn desserts, yet it boasts the wonderful versatility of being a perfectly acceptable breakfast! Imagine the joy of waking up to the rich, inviting aroma of this cake, promising a delightful start to your day.
The generous crumb topping, a signature element of any truly great coffee cake, adds that extra layer of texture and sweetness that’s simply irresistible. When it comes to streusel, I firmly believe that more is always better! If you find yourself with leftover pumpkin puree after making this cake, don’t worry—there are tons of other delicious pumpkin recipes waiting for you to try, like these Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. And if you’re looking for another phenomenal apple-themed dessert to serve alongside or as a separate indulgence, our Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a fantastic option, proving that apples are indeed another indispensable staple of the fall season!
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Apple Pumpkin Coffee Cake
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Ingredients
Coffee Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup oil, any neutral flavored oil
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 whole large egg
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup apple, grated (about 1 large apple)
Streusel Topping
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup oil, any neutral flavored oil
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, or spray with non-stick spray.
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In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon. Set aside.
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In a large bowl whisk together sugar, corn oil, milk, egg, and pumpkin puree. Add in the flour, and stir until just barely combined. Fold in the grated apple.
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Pour into prepared baking dish.
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In a small bowl combine all of the ingredients for the streusel. Mix until the consistency of wet sand. Sprinkle over the batter.
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Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a tester comes out clean.
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Let cool for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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**This is a sponsored conversation from Mazola®. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.