Let’s get your mouth watering today! This apple crumb coffee cake is fluffy, crumbly, moist and sweet, with tender bits of apple in every bite and a buttery cinnamon crumb on top.

The cake is made with whole wheat pastry flour, honey and Greek yogurt, and it bakes in a simple 8×8 dish. It is just as good with your morning coffee as it is for a light dessert.

The Best Apple Crumb Coffee Cake (Whole Wheat and Honey Sweetened)

Whether you want a crumbly, sweet breakfast or a fluffy, moist, lighter dessert, an apple coffee cake is your solution. Fluffy, crumbly, sweet and enjoyable: that’s everything required in an apple crumb coffee cake recipe.

I rarely bake with refined sugar and have instead learned to bake with honey, applesauce, bananas and other naturally sweet ingredients, like in my banana muffins. The cake itself is sweetened mostly with honey. However, for the crumbly topping on this apple coffee cake, I added some brown sugar. Coffee cake always needs a little sugar.

I’m a HUGE fan of Bob’s Red Mill whole wheat pastry flour. It’s the only flour I use, and it creates the most light and fluffy baked goods. If you have not tried it, the time is now. You won’t regret it!

Finely chopped apples are folded right into the batter, so they soften as the cake bakes and you get a little bit of apple in every bite. Greek yogurt keeps the crumb moist and tender, and the cinnamon in both the cake and the topping makes your whole kitchen smell like fall. Serve a warm square with a hot cup of coffee in the morning, or top it with a scoop of vanilla yogurt for an easy dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Crumb Coffee Cake

Buttery crumb topping. Brown sugar, cinnamon and cold butter bake into a sweet, crunchy crumble.
Light and fluffy. Whole wheat pastry flour keeps the cake tender, not heavy.
Less refined sugar. The cake is sweetened mostly with honey.
Apple in every bite. Finely chopped apples soften into the batter as it bakes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here is what goes into this apple coffee cake and its crumb topping, and why each one is there. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

Unsalted butter: Soften it so it creams smoothly with the brown sugar. Creaming beats in tiny air bubbles that help the cake rise and stay fluffy.
Light brown sugar: A little brown sugar adds a soft caramel flavor and moisture to the cake.
Eggs: Large eggs give the cake structure and richness. Add them one at a time so the batter stays smooth.
Pure honey: The main sweetener in the cake. Honey also keeps baked goods moist longer.
Vanilla: Rounds out the apple and cinnamon flavors.
Whole wheat pastry flour: Milled from soft wheat with less protein, so it makes a light, tender cake instead of a dense one. Bob’s Red Mill is my favorite.
Baking powder: Gives the cake its lift.
Ground cinnamon and salt: Cinnamon is a must with apples, and a little salt balances the sweetness.
Vanilla or plain Greek yogurt: Adds moisture and a gentle tang that keeps the crumb tender.
Apples: Two large apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped. I used Fuji, which are sweet and crisp. Honeycrisp or Gala are good swaps. Small pieces bake evenly and don’t sink to the bottom.
Crumb topping: Flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and cold butter cut into small pieces. Keep the butter cold so the topping bakes into crisp crumbles instead of melting into the cake.

How to Make Apple Crumb Coffee Cake

Prep the pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray an 8×8 glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Cream the butter and sugar. In a stand mixer or a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each, then mix in the honey and vanilla. The mixture should look smooth and glossy with no streaks of egg.
Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Sifting breaks up any lumps and spreads the baking powder evenly so the cake rises evenly.
Combine. Add the flour mixture and the yogurt to the butter mixture, alternating between the two and mixing slowly until just combined. The batter will be thick and creamy. Fold in the chopped apples with a spatula, then spread the batter in the prepared dish. Smooth the top so the crumb topping sits in an even layer. Mixing gently here keeps the cake tender, since overmixed batter bakes up tough.
Make the crumb topping. In a small bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter with a fork or your fingers until it looks like coarse crumbs with some pea sized pieces. Sprinkle it evenly over the batter.
Bake in two stages. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Then reduce the oven to 325°F and bake for 15 to 20 minutes more, until the topping is golden and a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the dish for a little while before cutting so the squares hold together and the crumb topping stays put.

Kami’s tip: Don’t skip the temperature drop. Baking at 350°F first and then finishing at 325°F lets the center cook through without the crumb topping getting too dark.

Ways to Customize Apple Coffee Cake

Add nuts. Stir chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumb topping for extra crunch.
Change the fruit. Swap some of the apple for chopped pears, or fold in a handful of fresh cranberries in the fall.
Warm up the spices. Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the batter along with the cinnamon.
Add a drizzle. A thin powdered sugar glaze or a little warm honey over the top makes it extra special for brunch.

Apple Crumb Coffee Cake FAQs

What apples are best for coffee cake? I used Fuji. Any sweet, crisp apple that holds its shape, like Honeycrisp or Gala, works well.
Do I need to peel the apples? Yes, for the softest texture. Peel, core and chop them finely so they bake evenly into the cake.
Can I use regular whole wheat flour? You can, but the cake will be denser. Whole wheat pastry flour is what keeps it light and fluffy.
How do I know when it’s done? A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean, and the crumb topping should be golden.
Can I make it ahead? Yes. Bake it the day before, let it cool completely and keep it covered.
How should I store leftovers? Cover the cooled cake and keep it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, since it contains yogurt and fresh fruit. Warm a slice briefly in the microwave before serving.
Why did my apples sink? Large pieces of apple are heavy and can sink in the batter. Chop them finely and fold them in gently so they stay spread through the cake.
Can I freeze apple coffee cake? Yes. Wrap cooled slices well and freeze them, then thaw at room temperature.

Here are some of the products I use for this recipe.

Crumb Coffee Cake Recipe - No Diets Allowed

Apple Crumble Cake

Apple crumble cake made with whole wheat pastry flour, honey, Greek yogurt and chopped Fuji apples, topped with a buttery brown sugar cinnamon crumb. Fluffy, moist and sweet.

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Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup pure honey
1 tsp vanilla
2 and 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup vanilla or plain Greek yogurt
2 large apples I used Fuji, peeled, cored, and finely chopped

Crumb Topping

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 Tablespoons cold butter cut into small pieces

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare 8x8 glass dish by spraying lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
Meanwhile in a standing mixer or a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat together butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at time and mix in between each egg. Add honey and vanilla and mix well.
In a separate bowl, shift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Alternating between flour mixture and yogurt, slowly mix in the flour and yogurt until combined well. Fold in apples. Pour mixture into prepared glass dish.
In a small bowl, mix together ingredients of the apple crumb topping and evenly sprinkle over the top of the batter.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Then reduce temperature to 325 degrees F and continue to bake for 15 to 20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Made this apple crumb coffee cake? Leave a star rating in the recipe card and tell me how it turned out in the comments below. I look forward to hearing your feedback on this apple crumble cake.