Apple Butter Coffee Cake with Bourbon
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Apple Butter Coffee Cake with Bourbon is the kind of bake that makes your whole kitchen smell like cinnamon, brown sugar, and warm apples—basically, the best kind of welcome home. The apple butter keeps the cake ridiculously soft and moist, while a splash of bourbon adds just enough depth to make each bite feel a little extra special. And don’t even get me started on the crumb topping—it’s buttery, nutty, and just the right amount of crunchy. This is the kind of recipe I love making when I want something that looks impressive but comes together without a ton of effort. Just mix, layer, bake, and let the oven do all the work. Trust me, once you take that first forkful (or sneak a bite straight from the pan—no judgment), you’ll be hooked.
Why You’ll Love Apple Butter Coffee Cake with Bourbon
- Rich, Cozy Flavors: The combo of apple butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, and a hint of bourbon makes every bite taste like fall in cake form.
- That Buttery Crumb Topping: It’s crunchy, nutty, and adds the perfect contrast to the soft, moist cake underneath.
- Stays Moist for Days: Thanks to the apple butter and sour cream, this cake doesn’t dry out—if it even lasts that long!
- Perfect with Coffee (or Bourbon!): A warm slice with a cup of coffee in the morning or a little bourbon in the evening? Yes, please.
- Smells Like Heaven While Baking: If you love that fresh-from-the-oven, cinnamon-spiced aroma filling your kitchen, this one’s for you.
Ingredients Needed To Make Apple Butter Coffee Cake with Bourbon
Make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients needed for this recipe.
- Gluten-free flour or all-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Kosher salt
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Sour cream
- Apple butter
- Butter, room temperature
- Pure vanilla extract
- Bourbon
- Walnuts, finely chopped
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground allspice
- Light brown sugar
- Milk
- Maple syrup
Oven Temperatures
Oven temperatures can vary significantly from one oven to another. To achieve consistent results, it’s crucial to know the exact temperature inside your oven. The safest and most accurate way to determine this is by using an oven thermometer. This simple tool can help you avoid underbaking or overbaking your treats.
How To Make Apple Butter Coffee Cake with Bourbon
- Preheat & Prep the Pan: Get the oven going and grease your baking dish.
- Mix the Cake Batter: Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, then mix in the wet ingredients. Add the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Make the Streusel: Combine the topping ingredients with a fork until crumbly.
- Assemble the Cake: Layer half the batter in the pan, spread a layer of apple butter, sprinkle some streusel, then repeat with the remaining batter and topping.
- Bake: Pop it in the oven until golden and set in the center. Let it cool completely ob a wire rack.
- Make the Glaze: Stir together powdered sugar, milk, and maple syrup until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled cake.
- Enjoy! Slice and dig in!
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! This cake actually gets even better as it sits because the flavors have time to meld together. Just let it cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or in the fridge for a few days.
Do I have to use bourbon?
Nope! The bourbon adds a subtle depth of flavor, but you can leave it out if you prefer. If you still want a little extra richness, try swapping it with a splash of apple juice or even a bit more vanilla extract.
Get all the best baking tips!
Wondering how in the world to get the BEST bake every time? We’ve laid it all out for you.
How do I store leftovers?
Once the cake has cooled, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it—just wrap slices individually and store them in a freezer-safe bag.
Can I freeze this cake?
Yes! Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It’ll stay fresh for a couple of months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just let it thaw at room temperature or in the fridge overnight.
What’s the best way to reheat a slice?
If you like your cake a little warm, pop a slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This brings back that fresh-baked taste and softens the crumb topping just enough.
Why is my cake dry?
This cake should turn out soft and moist, but if it seems dry, it could be overbaked. Check it a few minutes before the timer goes off by inserting a toothpick in the center—if it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, it’s ready to come out of the oven.
Can I use store-bought apple butter?
Definitely! If you have a homemade version, go for it, but a good-quality store-bought apple butter works perfectly in this recipe.
What can I serve this with?
This cake pairs beautifully with coffee, tea, or even a little extra bourbon on the side! It’s also delicious with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
How can I tell when the cake is done?
When you stick a toothpick into the center of the cake, it should come out clean. That’s how you know it’s done!
More Coffee Cake Recipes You’ll Love!
Apple Butter Coffee Cake with Bourbon
Equipment
- 9-inch springform pan with 3-inch sides
- spatula, fork
- Measuring cups/spoons
- nonstick baking spray
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 cups 1.1 GF flour or all-purpose flour
- 3 tsp baking powder for GF or 2 tsp if using all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup apple butter
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp bourbon
Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup walnuts finely chopped
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 8 tbsp butter room temperature
Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp milk
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
Preheat & Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9″ round baking dish with 3″ sides with nonstick baking spray.
Make the Cake Batter:
- In a mixing bowl, add the sugar and butter. Mix on high for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs, sour cream, vanilla extract, and bourbon. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Prepare the Streusel:
- In a separate bowl, mix all the streusel ingredients with a fork until crumbly.
Assemble the Cake:
- Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Spread apple butter on top of the cake mixture.
- Sprinkle half of the streusel over the apple butter layer
- Add the remaining cake batter on top.
- Sprinkle the remaining streusel evenly over the top.
Bake:
- Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before adding the glaze.
Prepare the Glaze:
- In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and maple syrup until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled coffee cake.
- Enjoy!
- Slice, serve and enjoy!
This Apple Butter Coffee Cake with Bourbon is the kind of bake that disappears fast—one slice turns into two, and before you know it, you’re going back for “just one more bite.” The warm cinnamon, brown sugar, and apple butter flavors make it perfect for cozy mornings or a sweet treat any time of day. Whether you’re sharing it with friends or sneaking a slice straight from the pan (no judgment here), it’s one of those recipes you’ll want to make again and again. So go ahead, grab a fork, and enjoy every last crumb!
