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apple spice cinnamon swirl coffee cake

(2 ratings)
margoz avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Mary Gonzalez
@margoz
Livermore, CA

I love a lot of "swirl" in my coffee cake, so I tested this one and it's a keeper... This cake is moist, not like a "bread." Hope you try it and like it too. Let me know your thoughts!! I would imagine you can bake them as a cupcake with a choice of wonderful frostings found on this site.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

If you love cinnamon and apples, this coffee cake is for you. It smells heavenly while baking. Starting with a spiced cake mix and apple muffin mix makes this easy to make and creates a yummy flavor combination. It's full of cinnamon and apples in every bite. This is dense and cake-like similar to most coffee cakes, but also very moist. We would encourage you to add the optional icing. The cake isn't sweet and the icing is a tasty final touch.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(2 ratings)
yield 12 -24+
prep time 30 Min
cook time 35 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For apple spice cinnamon swirl coffee cake

  • FOR CAKE:
  • 1 box
    spice cake mix
  • 1 pkg
    Marie Callander's apple muffin mix or any apple muffin mix (6 oz size)
  • 3
    eggs (I used Egg Beaters)
  • 1/2 tsp
    salt
  • 1 Tbsp
    cinnamon
  • 1 c
    yogurt (I used the one with cream on the top)
  • 1/3 c
    oil
  • 1 Tbsp
    instant coffee
  • 2
    fresh chopped apples (peeled and cored)
  • 1 c
    chopped nuts (I used pecan, cause it's all I had on hand)
  • 1 c
    almond milk
  • FOR CINNAMON SWIRL
  • 1/2 c
    melted butter
  • 2 Tbsp
    sugar
  • 1/2 c
    light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp
    cinnamon
  • FOR ICING (OPTIONAL)
  • 3 Tbsp
    powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp
    vanilla extract
  • 1-2 Tbsp
    almond milk

How To Make apple spice cinnamon swirl coffee cake

Test Kitchen Tips
Mary says to use what pan you'd like. We opted for a 9x13 pan and baked it for about 40 minutes.
  • Dry ingredients in a silver bowl.
    1
    For Cake: Sift together all the dry ingredients several times - cake and muffin mix, instant coffee, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
  • Adding eggs to dry ingredients.
    2
    In stand mixer, using paddle, starting on slow speed blend dry ingredients with eggs (one at a time).
  • Adding yogurt to dry ingredients.
    3
    Add yogurt, milk, oil. Blend on medium speed for 2-3 minutes.
  • Apples and nuts added to the batter.
    4
    Add apples and nuts. Blend a few more minutes until all ingredients are incorporated scraping the sides often.
  • Adding butter to sugar and cinnamon.
    5
    CINNAMON SWIRL (best to do this after batter has been mixed as it only takes a minute). Melt butter. Add sugars and cinnamon. If mixture is too thick add a few teaspoons of milk until the consistency of gravy.
  • Batter poured into baking dish.
    6
    Pour your batters in prepared pans. For this one I used 6 mini loaf pans, filling to about 3/4 full. Test Kitchen Note: We used a 9x13 pan.
  • Cinnamon swirl dolloped onto batter.
    7
    Dollop cinnamon swirl onto the batter 2 tablespoons at a time.
  • Marbling cinnamon swirl into batter.
    8
    With a knife, gently swirl the cinnamon through being careful not to touch the bottom. NOTE: I learned the hard way, it sticks to the bottom and cake is difficult to get out.
  • Baked cinnamon swirl cake on counter.
    9
    BAKE @ 350 for how however many minutes, depending on size pan. For the mini loaf pans, it took 30-33 minutes. It also depends on your oven. Test Kitchen Note: It took 40 minutes for our 9x13 pan.
  • Preparing icing for cake.
    10
    If you want an icing, with a mix whisk 3 tbsp of powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1-2 tbsp of almond milk.
  • Topping cake with icing.
    11
    Drizzle or spread over cooled cakes.
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSomXm-f9p4
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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