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Apple Pecan Coffee Cake

This cake is autumn on a plate.

I actually pieced the recipe together from a couple of different recipes based upon an idea I had. The cake I liked is an Applesauce Cake recipe that appealed to me both because it had applesauce and buttermilk, two components that are guaranteed to yield a moist cake.  

The seasonings were a component that I hadn't counted on, but also made for a pleasant surprise.  The ground cloves add a comforting warmth to the cake.  

To that cake, I added diced Granny Smith apples because I wanted the cake to have a distinct apple flavor.  

To the top of the cake, I added Pecan Streusel.

I love pecan recipes this time of year, plus I thought it would add a nice texture to the cake.  

The end result was like eating a slice of Dutch apple pie in cake form.  It was heavenly.  The only thing missing was a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Apple Pecan Coffee Cake

2 ½ c. All-Purpose flour
1 ¾ c. white sugar
1 ½ tsp. baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground allspice
½ c. butter, softened
½ c. buttermilk
1 ½ c. applesauce
2 eggs
2 Granny Smith apples, skinned & diced

Pecan Streusel

½ c. packed brown sugar
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoon All-Purpose flour
2 tablespoon butter
½ c. chopped pecans

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Prepare cake pan by spraying with non-stick spray, lining with parchment paper and spraying again with non-stick spray. I used a 9x13 cake pan, but this cake also works well in a round cake pan.

It would probably also make excellent muffins.

Apple Pecan Coffee Cake - Pecan Streusel

Mix ingredients for Pecan Streusel together in a bowl. Using your hand, cut the butter into the other ingredients until all ingredients are moist and resemble a course crumble.

For the cake, in a large bowl of a mixer with a paddle attachment, mix the eggs, butter, buttermilk and applesauce together until well blended.

Apple Pecan Coffee Cake - dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift all of your dry ingredients together.

Apple Pecan Coffee Cake - diced apples

Add about ¼ of dry ingredients to the diced apples.  Toss the diced apples with the dry ingredients until well coated.

Mix the remaining dry ingredients into the buttermilk mixture in the mixer. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in the apples.

Apple Pecan Coffee Cake batter in pan

Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan so it's ¾ of the way full.

Apple Pecan Coffee Cake batter with streusel topping

Sprinkle the Pecan Streusel over the cake evenly.

Bake for 45-50 minutes. 

The cake is done when the cake springs back when lightly touched, the top has a nice crust and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

The sides of the cake will separate from the cake pan as it cools.

Invert the cake out of the cake pan and remove paper from bottom after cake has cooled slightly. Enjoy!

Apple Pecan Coffee Cake

Apple Pecan Coffee Cake

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

This cake is like autumn on a plate.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ c. All-Purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ c. white sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp. baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ c. butter, softened
  • ½ c. buttermilk
  • 1 ½ c. applesauce
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 Granny Smith apples, skinned & diced

Pecan Streusel

  • ½ c. packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoon All-Purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • ½ c. chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven 350 degrees. Prepare cake pan by spraying with non-stick spray, lining with parchment paper and spraying again with non-stick spray. I used a 9x13 cake pan, but this cake also works well in a round cake pan. It would probably also make excellent muffins.
  2. Mix ingredients for Pecan Streusel together in a bowl. Using your hand, cut the butter into the other ingredients until all ingredients are moist and resemble a course crumble.
  3. For the cake, in a large bowl of a mixer with a paddle attachment, mix the eggs, butter, buttermilk and applesauce together until well blended.
  4. In a separate bowl, sift all of your dry ingredients together.
  5. Add about ¼ of dry ingredients to the diced apples. Toss the diced apples with the dry ingredients until well coated.
  6. Mix the remaining dry ingredients into the buttermilk mixture in the mixer. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in the apples.
  7. Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan so it's ¾ of the way full.
  8. Sprinkle the Pecan Streusel over the cake evenly.
  9. Bake for 45-50 minutes. The cake is done when the cake springs back when lightly touched, the top has a nice crust and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The sides of the cake will separate from the cake pan as it cools. Invert the cake out of the cake pan and remove paper from bottom after cake has cooled slightly. Enjoy!

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Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1 Servings
Amount Per ServingCalories 407Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 57mgSodium 337mgCarbohydrates 67gFiber 2gSugar 43gProtein 5g

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  1. Texas Cheesehead says:

    Made this last night to bring to work today. Delish!!! A good 3/4 of the cake was gone before 10am. Did make a couple of changes - substituted vanilla almond milk for the buttermilk, used 1 Fuji apple instead of Grannies, and chose walnuts over pecans. Baked it in a round cake pan for about an hour to get the middle done. Will definitely be making this again! Might experiment with raisins and shredded carrots instead of apples and perhaps crushed pineapple in place of the applesauce. I did notice the directions didn't include the 2 eggs, so if you try this recipe be sure to add them to the wet ingredients. 😉

    • The Not So Modern Housewife says:

      Holy crap, I can't believe no one pointed out the missing eggs before. lol Fixing that now. 🙂

      Substitute away! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

  2. Jill from PJgamers says:

    That looks fantastic! and easy enough to make...Ok, printing the recipe now. <br />thanks! and Happy Thanksgiving!

  3. The Not So Modern Housewife says:

    lol, I hope you enjoy. I just had my second slice for the day. shhhh!

  4. Eclipsed says:

    My husband was peeking over my shoulder when I was reading this and he said, "You're making that right?" Looks like I am. ::Bookmarks Recipe::
    Stopping by from SITS

  5. The Not So Modern Housewife says:

    Thanks! Culinary school gave me a lot more confidence to experiment with different things, especially cakes. It's been a lot of fun. I can't wait to try new things.

  6. Caren with a "C" says:

    Looks wonderful! Bonnie, you are a girl after my own heart. I like to piece together different recipes and I'm trying to get back to basics as much as possible at home. I found you from SITS!

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