Applesauce Coffee Cake

This applesauce coffee cake is absolute bliss! It's soft, fluffy, and has a cinnamon sugar streusel. This cake is super soft thanks to the applesauce. It is truly the perfect way to start the day.

Okay...if you have to bake ONE thing this fall let it be this applesauce coffee cake. It is actually insane! I am speechless.

It's got a cinnamon sugar filling and is topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel. The hints of apple flavour mixed with the warm spices and fluffy cake is out of this world.

For more applesauce recipes, try Applesauce Oatmeal Breakfast Cake, Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Jump to:

• Why this recipe works
• Ingredients Notes
• Step by step instructions
• Expert Baking Tips
• FAQ
• Check out these recipes
• Applesauce Coffee Cake

Why this recipe works

Applesauce - Adds a hint of apple flavour AND is the secret ingredient to keeping this cake so soft!

Cinnamon filling - A layer of cinnamon and brown sugar is sprinkled in the middle adding even more flavour.

Brown sugar streusel - Full of buttery sugar goodness, this 5 ingredient crumble crisps up while baking and adds the perfect crunch.

Ingredients Notes

Scroll to view a few ingredients notes. Full recipe and measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Applesauce – Make sure to use unsweetened applesauce, and not sweetened.

Brown sugar – Used in the streusel, the topping, and in the cake. I like to use dark brown, but light works too.

Baking soda & baking powder - Make sure it isn't expired!

Cinnamon - An essential spice in this cake!

Cornstarch – This helps add a tender crumb to the cake.

Eggs – Remove two hours before baking.

Flour – I used all-purpose flour for this recipe. 

Vanilla – Using a good quality vanilla is important to enhance the flavours.

Step by step instructions

Here is how to make and bake this Applesauce Coffee Cake. You will need an 9×9 square pan lined with parchment paper, three mixing bowls, a spatula, and a whisk.

Step 1 – Prep. Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C and line and grease a 9×9 inch square pan. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside. This will be the filling.

Step 2 – Make the streusel. In a medium sized bowl, add flour, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter (make sure the butter is not hot). Using a fork, mix this until combined. Then add 1 tbsp of extra flour on top and using your hands, crumble the streusel into smaller and larger pieces. You may need 1 more tbsp of flour if the butter hasn't been completely absorbed. Set aside in the fridge when done.

Step 3 – Mix dry ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, add in flour, baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. Mix together and set aside.

Step 4 – Whisk wet ingredients. In a large bowl, add white sugar and oil and whisk together. Then add in eggs, applesauce, sour cream, and vanilla. Whisk together until well combined and smooth.

Step 5 – Add in dry ingredients. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and using a spatula, gently fold to create a soft cake batter.

Step 6 – Layer. Add half of the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly. Then sprinkle all of the cinnamon sugar topping, and about 4-5 tbsp of the streusel. Add the remaining half of your batter evenly, and then the rest of your streusel on top. I recommend dolloping the batter using a cookie scooper. This helps to evenly distribute the batter without disturbing the filling layer!

Step 7 – Bake. Bake the cake for 35-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out dry. Mine took 50 minutes. If it is wet, then the cake hasn’t fully baked yet so continue to bake at 5 minute intervals. Allow it to cool completely.

Expert Baking Tips

Here are a few expert baking tips from my kitchen to yours

• When I say cool the butter, I mean back down to room temperature after melting. It should still be liquid when whisking. Don’t refrigerate this to speed it up or else it’ll solidify.
• Make sure all of your wet ingredients are at room temperature. It’s important or else the ingredients won’t work the way we want them too together.
• The type of applesauce you use matters. Use unsweetened applesauce, not sweetened.
• For the streusel: Make sure the butter is completely cooled back down to room temperature before making it. If you make it with warm/hot butter, the streusel will not turn out.

FAQ

Why isn’t there any coffee in this cake?

Coffee cake actually doesn’t have any coffee in it! It’s meant to be paired with a cup of coffee.

Why is there sour cream in this cake and can I taste it?

You cannot taste it at all. Using sour cream in cakes creates a superrrr soft and tender cake. It is what fluffy dreams are made of. If you don’t have any sour cream on hand, use full fat plain yogurt instead.

Can I use bananas instead of the applesauce?

Check out Banana Sour Cream Coffee Cake.

Check out these recipes

PS : If you enjoyed this recipe, please make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW down below! I'd love to stay connected on Instagram @taffeybakery! To get more recipes follow me on TikTok @taffeybakery!