I know it sounds like ancient times, but I remember Halloween Trick-or-Treating when people handed out apples, sometimes getting enough to make a pie. And I have actual proof of this…
That’s me with my Boy Scout brothers and my own mom handing out apples. I am not quite sure if my dubious look is saying, “Hey, mom, where’s the Hershey Bars instead?” or I am wondering if my own mother doesn’t recognize me. Either way, I know for sure I was given enough apples to make this delicious coffee cake.
The coffee cake has apples and a pear coupled with sour cream that makes an incredibly moist texture. Add a buttery brown sugar-nut topping with cinnamon and the aroma alone will wake up the household for a lazy weekend breakfast or brunch.
The coffee cake is so easy to make and I guarantee it will become a favorite. It’s one of those recipes that you will crave when a chill is in the air and all you want is something sweet, buttery, and spicy, especially cinnamon, and of course the best of fall apples and pears. Make it this weekend, kick your feet up with a hot cup of coffee, and relax. Trick-or-Treat is over. Now it’s time for YOUR treat!
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups finely chopped peeled apples and pears (about 2 apples and 1 pear)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan; set aside.
- In bowl of electric mixer, beat together ½ cup softened butter and granulated sugar until lightly and creamy. Mix in eggs and vanilla; beat well. Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt alternately with the sour cream. Fold in chopped apples and pear. Spread batter evenly into prepared baking pan.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, walnuts, 2 Tablespoons butter, and cinnamon until crumbly and well mixed. Sprinkle evenly over batter. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 38-40 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 12-15 servings.
I love apples and pears, and this recipe sounds delicious. I’m definitely going to have to try it. I have a vision of the kitchen fireplace glowing and the smell of this baking in the oven on a lazy Sunday morning.
I love the picture of you and your two older brothers on Halloween; it sure brings back memories of trick or treating with my two older brothers. Those were the days when our bags were filled with all sorts of delicious homemade goodies, besides the store bought candy. I remember helping my mom form and wrap 100’s of large, tasty popcorn balls that we were famous for handing out on that spooky night. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe from your memorable childhood.
Kim, my mom and I used to make popcorn balls, too, and also pulled taffy. I can remember wrapping them and tying up with ribbon. Those were the days!
I made this cake last weekend for my cake-loving fiance (cake is his breakfast of choice) and it was absolutely delicious. I think it was even better than the apple spice cake my grandma used to make when I was a kid, and that is saying a lot!
My mom (who was a kid in the 50s) remembers getting popcorn balls and everything being homemade. My grandma taught me to make them when I was little. There was even one lady who still made popcorn balls for Halloween when my brother and I were trick or treating in the 80s. Those were nice times! 🙂
So happy you and your fiancé enjoyed it, Hilary! The first time I made it and took a bite, it became a staple in my recipe box. Thanks for writing!
My son has a prolific pear tree but the fruit is so firm they call them ” pig pears ” as only pigs can eat them. They were delicious in this recipe with my underripe apples from VT. Loved it
So glad that worked out for you, Anne. Love your story!
Your pictures were so yummy looking that I HAD to make your cake. I took a chance and made cupcakes. They turned out fantastic! I was able to make 18 cupcakes to share with friends and neighbors. They have all raved about how tasty they were! I didn’t have any sour cream so I used greek yogurt. I didn’t have any pears, but the apples alone were great. I can’t wait to make them the “correct” way. I know they will be a piece of heaven.
Robin, it was so sweet of you to write and hear about making cupcakes from this recipe. I have ever tried that! I’m so glad you liked them. I hope you try it again as written with the pears. They add another level of flavor! Thank you so much for writing.
This is exactly the same recipe from tastofhome cook book!!
Charlotte, that’s interesting it’s in Taste of Home, as I got the recipe from an old Sphere magazine in the 1970’s! I even corresponded with the person who sent it in to Sphere for publication. It’s a real keeper so I’m guessing he would be thrilled so many people still enjoy it!