Moist Bisquick Apple Coffee Cake

Finding time to bake something special for weekend breakfasts can feel impossible when you’re juggling morning soccer games and household chores. Between loading the dishwasher and sorting through weekend errands, the idea of making a homemade coffee cake might seem out of reach.

That’s why this Bisquick apple coffee cake has become my reliable go-to – it’s quick to throw together, uses simple pantry ingredients, and fills the house with that cozy smell of cinnamon and baked apples that brings everyone to the kitchen table.

What Kind of Apples Should I Use?

While this recipe calls for Honeycrisp apples, you’ve got plenty of other options that’ll work great in this coffee cake. Granny Smith apples are perfect if you want a tart flavor that balances out the sweetness of the brown sugar, while Fuji or Gala apples offer a naturally sweeter taste. The key is picking an apple that’s firm enough to hold its shape when baked – softer varieties like Red Delicious tend to get too mushy. When prepping your apples, try to chop them into evenly-sized pieces about 1/4 inch thick so they cook uniformly and make sure to peel them first since the skin can become tough during baking.

Options for Substitutions

This coffee cake recipe can be tweaked with several substitutions if needed:

• Bisquick mix: If you’re out of Bisquick, you can make your own by mixing 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon shortening or cold butter for each cup needed. Just cut the fat in until crumbly.
• Honeycrisp apple: Any firm baking apple works great here – try Granny Smith for more tartness, or Gala, Fuji, or Pink Lady apples for similar sweetness. Just avoid softer varieties like Red Delicious.
• Full-fat milk: You can use 2% milk, or for extra richness, try buttermilk. Non-dairy folks can use almond or oat milk, though the texture might be slightly different.
• Light brown sugar: Dark brown sugar works too, or mix white sugar with a teaspoon of molasses. In a pinch, white sugar alone will do, though you’ll miss some of that caramel note.
• Vanilla essence: Vanilla extract is preferred if you have it, or you could try almond extract for a different flavor profile (use half the amount as it’s stronger).

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making this coffee cake is overmixing the batter – stir just until the ingredients are combined, as overmixing will lead to a tough, dense cake instead of a tender, moist one. A common error is using warm or melted butter for the streusel topping – cold butter is essential for creating those perfect crumbly bits that make every bite delicious. When it comes to the apples, cutting them too large can prevent the cake from baking evenly, so aim for small, uniform pieces about 1/4 inch in size. For the best texture, avoid overbaking – check your cake a few minutes before the recommended baking time, as it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

What to Serve With Apple Coffee Cake?

This cozy apple coffee cake is perfect for breakfast or brunch, and there are lots of tasty ways to serve it! A hot cup of coffee or tea is the natural choice – I like a medium roast coffee or Earl Grey tea to complement the sweet apple and cinnamon flavors. For an extra special breakfast, serve warm slices with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling indulgent. You can also pair it with some crispy bacon or breakfast sausage on the side to balance out the sweetness with something savory.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This coffee cake stays moist and tasty when kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you live in a warm climate, pop it in the fridge where it’ll stay good for up to 5 days. Just make sure to cover it well to prevent it from drying out!

Freeze: Want to save some for later? Cut the cake into individual portions, wrap them in plastic wrap, and place in a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. This is perfect when you want a quick breakfast or afternoon treat!

Warm Up: To enjoy your coffee cake later, let frozen pieces thaw overnight in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, pop a slice in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or until just warm – it’ll taste almost like it’s fresh from the oven! Add a quick pat of butter on top for an extra treat.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	25-30 minutes
Total Time	40-50 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1350
• Protein: 15-20 g
• Fat: 60-70 g
• Carbohydrates: 150-160 g

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup bisquick mix
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
• 2 cups and 2 tablespoons of bisquick mix (separated)
• 1 medium honeycrisp apple, peeled, cored, and chopped (roughly 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 cup full-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan and Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).

While it heats up, grease an 8-inch round or square baking pan with butter or non-stick spray to ensure easy removal of the coffee cake after baking.

Step 2: Make the Crumb Topping

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the Bisquick, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Add in the cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly in texture.

Once ready, set this topping mixture aside for later use.

Step 3: Coat the Apples

In a small mixing bowl, add the diced apple pieces.

Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of Bisquick over them and mix until the apple pieces are evenly coated.

This coating prevents the apples from sinking to the bottom during the baking process.

Step 4: Prepare the Batter

In another medium mixing bowl, blend together the Bisquick, milk, sugar, egg, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Gently fold the coated apple pieces into this batter, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake the Coffee Cake

Pour the prepared batter with apples into the greased pan.

Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over the surface of the batter.

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes.

The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into its center comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Once baked, remove the coffee cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes.

This resting period helps set the texture and makes cutting easier.

After cooling, cut the cake into pieces and serve.

Enjoy your homemade apple coffee cake!