Spiced Apple Streusel Coffee Cake with Dulce de Leche

Spiced Apple Streusel Coffee Cake with Dulce de Leche brings together tender apple cake, warm cinnamon and cloves, a buttery crumb topping, and a drizzle of dulce de leche. Thinly sliced apples are layered over the cake before baking, while the streusel adds a lightly crisp, buttery finish.

The dulce de leche topping gives the cake an extra caramel-like sweetness without making the recipe complicated. It’s a lovely choice for breakfast, brunch, afternoon coffee, or a cozy homemade dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour
• Servings: 9–12
• Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
• Cuisine: American-inspired
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the Coffee Cake

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened at room temperature
• ¾ cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

Sour cream is a suitable substitute for the Greek yogurt.

For the Streusel

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons salted butter, cold and cubed

For the Apple Topping

• 2 cups thinly sliced unpeeled fresh apples
• 3 tablespoons dulce de leche
• 1 tablespoon water

Tart apples such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady work well.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease a 9-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang to make the finished cake easier to remove.

2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.

Set aside.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and white sugar until light and creamy.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

4. Add the Yogurt and Dry Ingredients

Add the Greek yogurt and mix gently.

Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing the batter, as this can make the cake heavier.

5. Prepare the Streusel

In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and ground cloves.

Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the mixture until coarse crumbs form.

Keep the streusel chilled while you prepare the apples.

6. Prepare the Apples

Wash and thinly slice the apples, leaving the peel on.

Try to keep the slices relatively thin and similar in thickness so they cook evenly on top of the cake.

7. Assemble the Cake

Spread the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.

Arrange the sliced apples over the batter in an even layer.

Sprinkle the prepared streusel over the apples.

8. Bake

Bake for approximately 40–45 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake portion comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover the cake with foil for the remaining baking time.

9. Prepare the Dulce de Leche

While the cake is cooling, combine the dulce de leche with 1 tablespoon of water.

Warm it gently and stir until it reaches a thinner, drizzleable consistency.

10. Add the Dulce de Leche

Allow the cake to cool for several minutes.

Drizzle the softened dulce de leche over the top before slicing and serving.

Recipe Tips for Success

• Use softened butter for the cake: Room-temperature butter blends more easily with the sugar.
• Keep the streusel butter cold: Cold butter helps create a crumbly topping.
• Don’t overmix the batter: Mix only until the ingredients are combined.
• Slice the apples thinly: Thin slices soften more easily while the cake bakes.
• Choose firm apples: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady hold their texture well.
• Don’t skip the streusel: It adds a buttery, slightly crunchy contrast to the soft cake.
• Thin the dulce de leche: A little water makes it easier to drizzle over the finished cake.

Ingredient Substitutions

Greek Yogurt

Sour cream can be used instead of nonfat plain Greek yogurt.

Apples

Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady are good choices. Other firm, slightly tart apples can also work.

Butter

Unsalted butter can be used for the cake. If using unsalted butter in the streusel, add a small pinch of salt to balance the flavor.

Dulce de Leche

A homemade or store-bought dulce de leche can be used. If it’s very thick, warm it with a small amount of water before drizzling.

All-Purpose Flour

For the best texture, regular all-purpose flour is recommended. If substituting another flour, the consistency of the cake may change.

Recipe Variations

Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Skip the dulce de leche and finish the cooled cake with a light dusting of powdered sugar.

Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

Keep the dulce de leche drizzle and add a little extra over individual slices just before serving.

Apple Pecan Streusel Cake

Add finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel for extra crunch.

Extra-Spiced Apple Cake

Add a small amount of ground nutmeg or allspice alongside the cinnamon and cloves.

Apple Crumb Muffins

Divide the batter among lined muffin cups, top with apples and streusel, and adjust the baking time according to the size of the muffins.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate it for longer storage.

If refrigerated, let individual slices come closer to room temperature before serving, or warm them gently in the microwave.

The cake is especially enjoyable slightly warm, when the apples are soft and the dulce de leche becomes creamy again.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this apple coffee cake with:

• Hot coffee
• Black tea
• Chai tea
• A glass of cold milk
• Whipped cream
• Vanilla ice cream
• Extra dulce de leche

For brunch, cut the cake into smaller squares and serve it alongside fresh fruit.

Nutrition Information

Estimated per serving, based on 12 servings:

• Calories: 300
• Protein: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 220mg

Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary depending on the apples, butter, yogurt, dulce de leche, and brands used.

Frequently Asked Questions

What apples are best for apple coffee cake?

Firm apples with a sweet-tart flavor work especially well. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady are all good choices.

Do I need to peel the apples?

No. The recipe uses thinly sliced unpeeled apples. Keeping the peel on also adds color and texture.

Can I use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt?

Yes. Sour cream is a suitable substitute for the Greek yogurt in this recipe.

Why is my streusel not crumbly?

The butter should be cold and cubed when making the streusel. Work it into the flour and sugar mixture until coarse crumbs form rather than mixing it into a smooth paste.

Can I make this apple coffee cake ahead of time?

Yes. The cake can be baked a day ahead and stored covered. Add the dulce de leche drizzle before serving or shortly beforehand.

Can I freeze apple coffee cake?

Yes. Allow the cake to cool completely, wrap it well, and freeze it without the dulce de leche if possible. Thaw it in the refrigerator and add the drizzle after thawing.

How do I know when the cake is done?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake portion, avoiding a large piece of apple. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.

Can I use homemade dulce de leche?

Absolutely. Homemade dulce de leche works just as well as store-bought. Thin it with a little water so it’s easy to drizzle.

Final Thoughts

This Spiced Apple Streusel Coffee Cake with Dulce de Leche is a comforting combination of soft apple cake, warm spices, buttery streusel, and caramel-like sweetness. The apples add moisture and a fresh fruit flavor, while the crumb topping gives the cake a satisfying texture.

It’s easy enough for a weekend breakfast but special enough to serve with coffee when friends or family come over. For the best experience, serve a slice slightly warm with an extra drizzle of dulce de leche.

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