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This apple cinnamon coffee cake recipe is made with homemade applesauce, a sweet cinnamon streusel layer in the center, and a crunchy walnut topping. This recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free, and super healthy. Recipes that use applesauce as an ingredient tend to be lower in sugar, due to the natural sweetness of apples. 

Whether it’s apple season and you need to use the abundance of apples you gathered while apple picking, or you are in the mood for a classic treat to accompany a hot cup of coffee. Indulge in a slice of coffee cake with a sweet cinnamon sugar layer and crunchy nuts. 

This isn’t your average traditional coffee cake. This one is bursting with flavor thanks to homemade applesauce that adds sweet apple purée throughout the cake. A cinnamon streusel in the center of the cake takes things a step further, offering an irresistible ribbon of warm spice. Finally, a crunchy maple walnut topping adds the perfect textural contrast and nutty depth, making this coffee cake a showstopper at any breakfast or brunch gathering.

What You Need to Make Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

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To make this cinnamon apple coffee cake recipe you will need a few basic kitchen essentials and fresh ingredients. To ensure your pantry is stocked for all your gluten-free baking needs, be sure to check out my essentials for gluten-free baking.

• Dry Ingredients 
  • 1 cup millet flour
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 2 Tbsp coconut sugar
• Wet Ingredients 
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup applesauce
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
• for the center and topping:
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 Tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
    • 1 Tbsp maple syrup

Millet flour is a gluten-free flour made from an ancient grain with a mild, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor. It’s a light yellow powder that’s both nutritious and versatile. The mild nutty flavor of millet is a perfect gluten-free flour option for coffee cake recipes. It is used as a 1:1 replacement for all-purpose flour. This is the one that I use: millet flour. 

Applesauce is the star of this recipe. You can use either homemade applesauce or storebought. I think you will love my easy applesauce recipe made with Honeycrisp apples or simple unsweetened applesauce from the grocery store. You can use any kind of apples, just aim for fresh apples. 

I like to use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar, or other refined sugars because coconut sugar is a lower glycemic sugar. It is less likely to cause a sugar spike, making it a healthier option. This is the one that I use: coconut sugar.

How to Make Cinnamon Apple Coffe Cake

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Then in a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add the millet flour and the sugar.

Next, add the almond flour to the bowl.

Add the baking powder, baking soda, and the ground cinnamon.

Whisk to combine the ingredients, and set aside.

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and add the applesauce.

Then add the maple syrup and stir to combine.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly. You can use an electric mixer, but it isn’t necessary. 

How to Add a Cinnamon Layer in a Healthy Apple Coffee Cake Recipe

Many coffee cake recipes are topped with a crumble topping. This easy apple coffee cake recipe is a little different as it has a combination of crunchy nuts and spices that embrace all the fall flavors of cinnamon and apple.

First, in a small bowl, combine the cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar for the streusel topping and center layer.

Then line a loaf pan with parchment paper. This makes it easy to remove the delicious cake from the pan when it is finished baking. 

First, pour half of the batter into the pan. Then sprinkle half of the cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar mixture. Follow with the rest of the coffee cake batter, and finish with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture. 

Then add the chopped nuts to the top of the coffee cake batter, with the drizzle of maple syrup to create the sweet cinnamon walnut crumb topping. 

How Long to Bake a Healthy Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Place the prepared applesauce coffee cake loaf into the preheated oven and set the bake time for 30-35 minutes. 

Remove the cake once it passes the toothpick test. Stick a clean toothpick into the center of the cake, and when it comes out clean the coffee cake is done.

Gently lift the delicious coffee cake from the pan with the parchment paper, and transfer it to a wire rack to cool.

The Best Coffee Cake Made with Applesauce and Cinnamon

This easy coffee cake recipe is perfect for any time of year and any time of day. Enjoy with your morning tea or coffee to start the day, or in the afternoon as a mid-day snack. 

Your delicious moist cake baked with warm spices is ready to eat and enjoy. This pairs beautifully with a nice cup of espresso. This is my go-to espresso recipe: Espresso Recipe. 

Each bite is a perfect balance of sweet apple, warm cinnamon, and nutty richness from the walnuts.

A hidden treasure of warm cinnamon sugar swirls its way through the heart of the coffee cake.

The best part of homemade baked goods is that you can indulge without guilt. This coffee cake boasts the comforting flavors of apple, cinnamon, and walnuts, all sweetened with natural ingredients and free from refined sugars and any unrecognizable extras.

FAQs and Recipe Variations

• What kind of apples can I use in this great recipe? Use your favorite apples! Granny Smith apples and Honeycrisp apples are great options.
• How can I add an apple layer of bits of apple in the center of the apple cake? You can peel and chop an apple and spread the apple chunks in the center of the batter with the cinnamon layer.

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