Happy New Year! Did you have a nice New Year’s Eve and Day? We kept things quiet at home — stayed inside both days and, despite the rainy weather, treated ourselves to a Downton Abbey marathon. It felt indulgent and relaxing.
On New Year’s morning I baked this Apple Breakfast Cake, and it disappeared fast — my family is slightly obsessed with it now. I had been experimenting with breakfast cake recipes and decided to make one that would be easy for my mother to enjoy.
Because she needs to limit eggs, I replaced them with applesauce in this version. Applesauce preserves a tender crumb and keeps the cake moist while boosting the apple flavor, making it a great egg-free option for many baked goods.
Applesauce works wonderfully as a substitute in pancakes, muffins, waffles and even some cookie recipes, and it really shines in this cake. The texture is soft, and the fresh apple pieces add a pleasant bite throughout.
This recipe is quick and simple to put together: everything is mixed in one bowl with a spoon, no mixer required. That makes it ideal for a slow holiday morning when you want to keep the kitchen quiet and let others sleep in a little longer. Fair warning — the aroma while it bakes will likely wake the whole house. The warm, comforting scent of apple, cinnamon and brown sugar filled our home and made it hard to wait for the cake to finish.
Below is the recipe for my Apple Breakfast Cake. I include a streusel topping for extra flavor and texture, but the cake is delicious with or without it. Either way, it’s a crowd-pleaser and makes a lovely treat for breakfast, brunch or a cozy snack with tea or coffee.
Apple Breakfast Cake Recipe
A warm, comforting apple coffee cake filled with fresh apples and topped with a crunchy streusel. Perfect for mornings or brunches when you want something homestyle and satisfying.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 16
Ingredients
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 tablespoon (12 g) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (2.6 g) kosher salt
- 1/4 cup (49.5 g) granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.33 g) ground cinnamon
- 1 cup (198 g) packed brown sugar
- 2 apples (about 218 g), peeled and diced
- 3/4 cup (191 g) applesauce
- 1 cup (227 g) milk
- 8 tablespoons (113 g) butter, melted
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (53 g) packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon (2.6 g) ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (22 g) oats
- 4 tablespoons (61.5 g) butter, diced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick spray or brushing with a little butter. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon and packed brown sugar until well combined.
- Add the diced apples, applesauce, milk and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Stir with a spoon until the batter is evenly mixed. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- For the streusel: in a small bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and oats. Cut in the diced butter with a pastry blender, fork or your fingertips until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the top of the batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. Remove from the oven and let the cake cool for about 15 minutes before slicing.
- Store sliced pieces tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze individual slices for extended keeping.
Tips and Serving Suggestions
Choose crisp, slightly tart apples for the best contrast with the sweet batter and streusel — varieties like Granny Smith or Braeburn work well, but use what you enjoy. Serve warm or at room temperature. This cake is lovely with a simple dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream or a spoonful of plain yogurt. Reheat slices gently in the microwave or warm in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
The applesauce keeps the cake moist without eggs, and it adds extra apple flavor. If you prefer, you can substitute plain yogurt for some of the milk for a tangier crumb, or use a non-dairy milk to make the cake dairy-free if you also swap the butter for a suitable plant-based alternative.
Nutrition
Calories: 256 kcal per serving
Carbohydrates: 41 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 9 g | Fiber: 1 g
Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline only.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo