This cinnamon-and-ginger-spiced coffee cake can be made with a variety of apples. Tart Granny Smiths hold their shape well when baked or cooked. A sweeter apple, such as a Honeycrisp, Fuji or Gala works beautifully too – or use a mix.
Streusel
- 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup pecan pieces, toasted
Cake
- Softened butter, for the baking pan
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- For the streusel, combine the brown sugar butter, flour and pecans in a small bowl; set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. For the cake, butter the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking pan. Whisk the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
- Combine the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir together the milk and vanilla in a small bowl. Alternatively add the milk mixture and the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the apples.
- Spread half the batter in the prepared pan. Sprinkle half the streusel over the batter. Spread the remaining batter over the streusel. Sprinkle the remaining streusel over the top.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until a cake tester or skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes before cutting. To store, cool the cake completely. Cover with aluminum foil and store at room temperature up to 2 days.