Apple Coffee Cake

I never really know what you're looking for on Mix It Up Thursday — a quick little addition to one of our mixes, or something that completely changes the game.

This week was definitely the latter!

I took the Bakery Bliss Vanilla Cake Mix and decided to see what would happen if I prepared it completely differently than the package directions.

Usually, it's an oil cake. This time? Reverse creaming!

After an extra day of tweaking the recipe, I ended up with this Apple Coffee Cake — soft, fluffy cake, cinnamon-coated apples and a generous layer of buttery streusel.

Could I have just made the vanilla cake as directed and thrown some apples and streusel on top? Absolutely.

But where's the fun in that? 

Sometimes pushing the limits of the mix means adding a new flavour. And sometimes it means changing the entire way you prepare it.

And this one was definitely worth the extra day 🍎

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Apple Coffee Cake

Prep Time Cook Time Servings Difficulty
15 minutes 60 minutes 12-24 Intermediate
Apple Coffee Cake

Ingredients

Streusel Topping

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour

Cake

  • 1 package Bakery Bliss Vanilla Cake Mix
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • ½ cup milk
  • 7 tbsp oil
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ½ cup milk
  • 3 eggs

Apples

  • 3 cups diced apples
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Icing (Optional)

  • 1 cup icing sugar
  • 2 - 3 tbsp millk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

Prepare the Streusel

  1. Combine the brown sugar, white sugar, salt, and melted butter in a bowl.
  2. Add the flour and toss gently with a fork until crumbly streusel forms.
  3. Place the streusel in the freezer while preparing the cake. This helps keep the crumbs distinct during baking.

Prepare the Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
  2. Add the vanilla cake mix and cinnamon to the bowl of a stand mixer.
  3. Add the softened butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
  4. Combine the ½ cup milk and 7 tbsp oil. Add to the cake mixture.
  5. Beat on medium-high speed for 2 minutes.
  6. Scrape down the bowl.
  7. In a separate bowl, combine the sour cream, ½ cup milk, and 3 eggs.
  8. With the mixer on low, gradually add the sour cream mixture. Mix until combined, scraping down the bowl halfway through.
  9. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
  10. Toss the diced apples with 1 tsp cinnamon.
  11. Evenly distribute the cinnamon-coated apples over the top of the cake batter.

Add the Streusel & Bake

  1. Remove the streusel from the freezer and break it into smaller crumbs.
  2. Evenly spread the streusel over the apples, gently pressing it down so it adheres to the apples.
  3. Bake at 350°F for approximately 60 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean - If the cake starts to get too dark, cover with foil and continue baking.
  4. Allow to cool before drizzling with icing, enjoy!

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