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The Best Applesauce Coffee Cake

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 33 minutes
Total Time 53 minutes
Servings 9 slices

Ingredients

Streusel Topping

  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces

Cinnamon Filling

  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt, room temperature
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce room temperature
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Make the Streusel

  • Combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the cold butter using your fingers or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Refrigerate while you make the batter.

Make the Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x9 inch square baking pan and line with parchment paper.
  • Mix the cinnamon filling: combine ¼ cup brown sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the oil and sugar. Add eggs, applesauce, sour cream, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
  • Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt on top. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  • Spread half the batter in the prepared pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon filling evenly over the batter. Dollop the remaining batter on top and spread gently.
  • Crumble the chilled streusel evenly over the top.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Cold butter for streusel: Cold butter is essential for a crumbly, crunchy topping. Don't use melted or softened butter.
  • Don't overmix: Fold the dry ingredients in gently. Overmixing creates a dense, tough cake.
  • Room temp ingredients: Eggs, sour cream, and applesauce should be at room temperature for even mixing.
  • Sour cream vs. yogurt: Sour cream gives a richer crumb. Greek yogurt is lighter and tangier. Both work.
  • Storage: Room temperature 2-3 days covered. Fridge up to 5 days. Re-crisp streusel in a 300°F oven.