Spiced Apple Streusel Coffee Cake

This post is proudly sponsored by Lucky Leaf. All opinions and culinary insights shared are genuinely my own.

Embark on a delightful baking journey with this incredibly simple and irresistibly delicious Apple Pie Filling Coffee Cake. It’s a perfect semi-homemade solution for those moments when you crave a warm, comforting dessert or a special breakfast treat without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe masterfully utilizes store-bought apple fruit filling to create a moist, flavorful cake that tastes entirely from scratch.

Today, I’m thrilled to once again partner with the fantastic Lucky Leaf brand to shine a spotlight on their exceptional apple fruit filling. Their commitment to quality and flavor makes them a pantry staple for any baking enthusiast looking to elevate their creations with minimal effort.

Last year, many of you enjoyed my Apple Pie Baked French Toast, a testament to the versatility of Lucky Leaf’s fillings. Building on that success, I’m excited to present another effortlessly delicious way to incorporate this wonderful ingredient into your baking repertoire. This Apple Pie Filling Coffee Cake is designed to be a showstopper, whether you’re serving it for a festive brunch or as a cozy evening dessert.

This recipe starts with a humble white cake mix, transformed into a spiced masterpiece with a few key additions. We then generously top it with an entire can of rich Lucky Leaf premium apple fruit filling, allowing its luscious fruitiness to seep into the cake as it bakes. A simple, sweet powdered sugar glaze provides the perfect finishing touch, adding a touch of elegance and extra moisture.

This coffee cake is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of seasonal flavors, making it ideal for autumn gatherings, winter holidays, or any time you desire a taste of apple pie comfort. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it comes together, and your guests will never suspect it started with a box mix. Its inviting aroma alone is enough to fill your home with warmth and cheer.

Craving more easy coffee cake inspiration? You’re in luck! Be sure to also try this delightful blueberry bisquick coffee cake for another quick and satisfying option.

Essential Ingredients for Your Apple Pie Filling Coffee Cake

Creating this magnificent Apple Pie Filling Coffee Cake requires just a few readily available ingredients, many of which you might already have in your pantry. Each component plays a vital role in achieving the cake’s perfect texture and rich flavor profile:

• White Cake Mix: This is our secret shortcut to an effortlessly delicious cake. While a standard white cake mix is recommended, feel free to experiment with a boxed spice, vanilla, or even yellow cake mix for subtle variations in flavor.
• Large Eggs: Eggs are crucial for adding moisture, binding the ingredients, and providing structure to the cake, ensuring a tender crumb.
• Sour Cream: A true game-changer, sour cream introduces incredible richness, a subtle tang, and unparalleled moisture, resulting in an exceptionally luscious cake.
• Whole Milk: Used to adjust the batter’s consistency, whole milk contributes to the cake’s moistness and provides a delicate dairy undertone.
• Apple Pie Spice: This aromatic blend is the heart of our coffee cake’s flavor. Typically featuring cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cardamom, it infuses every bite with warm, comforting notes reminiscent of classic apple pie. You can easily find it in the spice aisle of any grocery store.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: For an intense burst of gourmet vanilla flavor, vanilla bean paste is an excellent choice. Its visible specks of vanilla beans also add an elegant touch. If unavailable, an equal amount of pure vanilla extract works wonderfully as a substitute.
• Lucky Leaf Apple Fruit Filling: The star of the show! This premium apple fruit filling is packed with thick, tender apple slices suspended in a perfectly spiced sauce. It’s conveniently located in the baking aisle and is key to the “apple pie” essence of this coffee cake.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake Your Easy Apple Pie Coffee Cake

Get ready to impress with minimal effort! This apple pie coffee cake recipe is designed for ease and maximum flavor, making it a joy to prepare. Follow these simple steps for a perfect bake every time:

For the Cake:

1. Prepare Your Pan and Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray to ensure your cake releases beautifully.
2. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of an electric mixer, add the white cake mix, large eggs, sour cream, whole milk, apple pie spice, and vanilla bean paste. These ingredients will form the foundation of your incredibly moist cake.
3. Mix Until Fluffy: Using your stand mixer or a handheld electric mixer, beat the ingredients together on medium speed for exactly 2 minutes. The batter will be noticeably thicker than a typical boxed cake mix, which is exactly what we want for this hearty coffee cake.
4. Transfer to Pan: Carefully pour the thick batter into your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
5. Add the Star Topping: Now for the delicious apple fruit filling! Spoon the entire can of Lucky Leaf apple fruit filling over the cake batter, ensuring it’s distributed as evenly as possible. The thick apple slices will create pockets of juicy fruitiness throughout the cake.
6. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center (avoiding the apple filling) comes out clean, and the edges are golden brown. Because of the generous fruit topping, the cake might take a little longer to set in the center compared to a plain cake.
7. Cool and Glaze: Allow the cake to cool slightly on a wire rack before drizzling it generously with the prepared glaze. This initial cooling helps the glaze set without completely melting into the warm cake.

For the Simple Glaze:

1. Whisk Until Smooth: In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla bean paste. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps.
2. Adjust Consistency: If your glaze appears too thick, add a tiny splash more milk, a quarter teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired drizzling consistency. Conversely, if it’s too thin, gradually whisk in more powdered sugar until it thickens up. You’re aiming for a glaze that coats the back of a spoon and drizzles easily but isn’t watery.

Once glazed and cooled, slice and devour this exquisite semi-homemade treat!

The Convenience and Quality of Canned Fruit Filling

In the bustling world of baking, especially during the hectic holiday season, time-saving shortcuts that don’t compromise on quality are invaluable. This is precisely where canned fruit filling, particularly Lucky Leaf’s premium varieties, shines brightest. My continued collaboration with Lucky Leaf stems from a genuine appreciation for the advantages their products bring to home bakers.

Beyond the obvious time-saving benefit of not having to peel, core, and slice apples, or prepare a homemade fruit base, Lucky Leaf’s fruit fillings offer consistent quality and flavor year-round. This means you can enjoy the taste of a fresh apple pie even when apples aren’t in peak season or when your schedule simply doesn’t allow for extensive prep work.

What truly sets Lucky Leaf apart, and what I particularly admire, is their commitment to using no high-fructose corn syrup in their fillings. Instead, each can is generously packed with thick, wholesome fruit slices, ensuring a substantial and satisfying texture in every bite. Their apple filling, for instance, provides that delightful “pie-like” experience with tender, real apple pieces. Furthermore, their unique business model as a cooperative means that the company is owned by the very fruit farmers who grow and contribute to their exceptional products. This direct connection to the source ensures a dedication to quality and freshness that is evident in every can.

For this semi-homemade Apple Pie Filling Coffee Cake, Lucky Leaf’s apple fruit filling is an ideal match. It not only infuses the cake with a rich, authentic apple flavor but also contributes significantly to its remarkable moisture content, creating a perfectly balanced and incredibly palatable dessert or breakfast item. It truly elevates a simple cake mix into something special and memorable.

Stay connected with Lucky Leaf for more recipe ideas and product updates by following them on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter!

Creative Variations & Flavor Adaptations

While this Apple Pie Filling Coffee Cake is a delight on its own, its semi-homemade nature makes it incredibly adaptable. Don’t limit yourself to just apples! This recipe serves as a fantastic base for a variety of fruit fillings and flavor combinations, allowing you to customize it to your taste or what you have on hand.

• Berry Bliss: Instead of apple, try a luscious blueberry, cherry, or raspberry fruit filling. For a blueberry version, consider adding a hint of lemon zest to the cake batter to brighten the flavors, mimicking a fresh blueberry muffin.
• Peach Perfection: If you use peach fruit filling, enhance the experience by incorporating a teaspoon of ground ginger into the cake batter. The warm spice of ginger beautifully complements the sweet, delicate flavor of peaches.
• Cherry Almond Delight: Pair cherry fruit filling with a touch of almond extract in the cake batter. For an added layer of texture and flavor, sprinkle sliced almonds over the top of the fruit filling before baking.
• Tropical Twist: For an adventurous flavor, try a pineapple or mango fruit filling. Add a teaspoon of shredded coconut to the batter and sprinkle some more on top before baking for a truly tropical coffee cake.
• Spice it Up (Even More!): For an extra-cozy, autumn-inspired cake, use a spice cake mix instead of white cake mix with the apple fruit filling. This doubles down on those comforting fall spices and creates a deeper, richer flavor profile.
• Crumb Topping Addition: For those who love a classic coffee cake crumb, prepare a simple streusel topping. Combine ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ cup cold butter (cut into small pieces). Mix with your fingertips until crumbly, then sprinkle over the apple filling before baking.
• Nutty Enhancements: Add a delightful crunch by sprinkling chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds over the top of the apple filling before baking. These nuts will toast beautifully and add an extra layer of texture.
• Caramel Drizzle: After glazing, consider a light drizzle of store-bought or homemade caramel sauce over the cooled cake for an extra layer of decadence, especially with the apple filling.

Feel free to get creative and tailor this recipe to your family’s favorite fruit flavors and baking preferences. The possibilities are truly endless!

Storing Your Delicious Apple Pie Coffee Cake

Proper storage is key to enjoying your Apple Pie Filling Coffee Cake for as long as possible. Due to the high moisture content from the apple fruit filling, this cake needs a bit more care than a typical dry cake. For optimal freshness and to prevent spoilage, it is essential to store this cake in the refrigerator.

Once the cake has completely cooled, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer individual slices to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, the cake will remain fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. This ensures that the apple filling stays at its best and the cake retains its wonderful moist texture.

If you prefer a warm slice, simply reheat individual portions in the microwave for 15-30 seconds, or in a toaster oven until warmed through. The slight warmth will bring out the aromatic spices and make the apples even more tender.

More Apple-Inspired Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re an apple enthusiast, there’s no shortage of delicious ways to enjoy this versatile fruit. From comforting breakfasts to decadent desserts, here are some more apple recipes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds:

• Apple Pie Baked French Toast: A fantastic way to start your day with the flavors of apple pie! This make-ahead dish is perfect for special brunches or a luxurious weekend breakfast. Find the recipe here: Apple Pie Baked French Toast.
• Apple Pie Cupcakes: Craving a delightful, portion-controlled dessert? These stuffed cupcakes capture all the magic of apple pie in a charming, handheld format. Get the recipe for these sweet treats: Apple Pie Cupcakes.
• Apple Pie Bars: For those who adore the combination of apple and a crumbly topping, these bars are an absolute must-try. They offer all the comfort of a pie with the convenience of a bar. Discover the recipe: Apple Pie Bars.
• Vanilla Bean Apple Pie Phyllo Bites: When you need a sophisticated, bite-sized dessert that’s easy to make, these phyllo bites are your answer. Elegant and bursting with apple-vanilla flavor, they’re perfect for entertaining. Find the recipe here: Vanilla Bean Apple Pie Phyllo Bites.

Recipe Card: Apple Pie Filling Coffee Cake

This simple and easy apple pie filling coffee cake is a delicious way to use apple fruit filling. It’s the perfect semi-homemade dessert or breakfast cake of your dreams!

• By: Brandy O’Neill
• Servings: 12 servings
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 15.25 ounce box white cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• ¼ cup whole milk
• 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• 21 ounce can Lucky Leaf apple fruit filling

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Instructions

For the Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175°C) and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of an electric mixer, add cake mix, eggs, sour cream, milk, apple pie spice, and vanilla bean paste.
3. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes either in your stand mixer or using a hand-held mixer until light and fluffy. This batter will be a bit thicker than a typical boxed mix.
4. Add the batter to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.
5. Top the batter with the entire can of apple fruit filling, making sure to evenly distribute the fruit filling over the top of the batter.
6. Add to the preheated oven and bake for about 35 minutes or until the cake is fully cooked and set (a toothpick inserted into the cake part comes out clean).
7. Drizzle generously with the prepared glaze once the cake has cooled slightly.

For the Glaze:

1. Add all glaze ingredients to a bowl and whisk together until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a little more milk (1/4 tsp at a time). If the glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar (1 tbsp at a time) until the desired consistency is reached.

Nutrition (Approximate values per serving)

Serving: 1 serving |
Calories: 248 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 55 g |
Protein: 4 g |
Fat: 7 g |
Saturated Fat: 3 g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g |
Trans Fat: 0.2 g |
Cholesterol: 59 mg |
Sodium: 300 mg |
Potassium: 99 mg |
Fiber: 1 g |
Sugar: 23 g |
Vitamin A: 212 IU |
Vitamin C: 1 mg |
Calcium: 119 mg |
Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

• Course: Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe? Mention @NutmegNanny or tag #nutmegnanny!

Bonus Recipe Idea: Spiced Apple Coffee Cake with Fresh Apples

If you prefer to bake with fresh apples and love a buttery crumble topping, this spiced apple coffee cake is another fantastic choice for your fall dessert menu. It delivers a rich, moist cake with a delightful crunch.

• Servings: 9 servings (from a 9×13 cake)

This spiced apple coffee cake combines fresh apples baked into a cozy spice cake, crowned with a buttery crumble topping. It’s an easy-to-make dessert that your entire family will adore.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 box spice cake mix
• 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice

For the Topping:

• 1-1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice

Instructions

For the Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175°C) and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Prepare the spice cake mix according to the box directions. Pour the batter into the prepared 9×13 inch dish.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon apple pie spice. Toss gently to ensure the apples are evenly coated.
4. Arrange the spiced apples evenly over the uncooked cake batter in the pan.
5. Evenly crumble the prepared topping mixture over the apples and cake batter. While some larger clumps are desirable for texture, aim for an even distribution across the entire cake.
6. Bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until the entire cake is fully cooked and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion (avoiding apple slices) comes out clean. Note that because this recipe uses fresh apples, the cake will be very moist and may require a slightly longer baking time than a standard cake.
7. Allow the cake to cool before serving. A light dusting of powdered sugar can be added if desired.

For the Topping:

1. In a bowl, combine all topping ingredients (flour, melted butter, brown sugar, apple pie spice). Mix until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Set aside until ready to use.

Tried this recipe? Mention @NutmegNanny or tag #nutmegnanny!