Easy Apple Pecan Coffee Cake (Cake Mix Recipe)

Make an easy apple pecan coffee cake from a yellow cake mix! Loaded with fresh apples, cinnamon, and buttery pecan streusel. Dates optional!

If you've got a couple of apples, a box of yellow cake mix, and a handful of pecans, you're well on your way to a delicious homemade coffee cake!

This easy apple coffee cake is loaded with tender fruit, warm cinnamon, and a buttery brown sugar pecan streusel. I added chopped Medjool dates to mine, but raisins, dried cranberries, or other dried fruits would work beautifully, too.

Best of all? You don't have to make the cake from scratch!

A Couple of Apples, Just Sitting There Taunting Me

There I was, minding my own business, when I noticed a couple of apples sitting on the counter, practically taunting me.

Friends, I can't tell you how much fruit I waste. Too much, that's how much!

I buy it with the best intentions, convinced I'll spend the week snacking on fresh fruit. And then life happens. Before I know it, those apples are still sitting there, waiting for somebody to pay attention to them.

Well, this time I decided to do something about it.

I'd been baking with Medjool dates lately, and as I looked at those apples, a thought crossed my mind.

I wonder how apples would taste with dates?

Instead of simply slicing up an apple for a snack, I decided to peel and chop a couple of them and turn them into something special.

A coffee cake!

And because I had a box of yellow cake mix in the pantry, I decided to start there.

I added dates, pecans, cinnamon, and a buttery brown sugar streusel topping. Before long, I had another coffee cake baking away in the oven.

All because of two little apples that refused to leave me alone!

Nature's Candy

As bakers, we often reach for chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, candy pieces, and other sweet additions when we want to dress up a simple cake.

And don't get me wrong. I love those things!

But sometimes I think we forget how much sweetness God has already provided through the things that grow around us.

Think about it. Apples, dates, pecans. Each one brings something different to the table.

The apples offer fresh, juicy sweetness. The dates add a rich, almost caramel-like flavor. And the pecans bring that wonderful buttery crunch.

Together, they're a reminder that we don't always need to reach for a bag of candy to make something special.

Sometimes nature has already done the sweetening for us.

And when you fold those ingredients into a humble yellow cake mix and finish it with a buttery cinnamon streusel?

Well, friends, that's a little taste of heaven right there.

Of course, this is still a sweet coffee cake made with cake mix, brown sugar, and butter. I'm not claiming it's health food! I'm simply celebrating the wonderful flavors of fruit and nuts.

What Is Apple Pecan Coffee Cake?

Apple pecan coffee cake is a soft, tender cake filled with chopped apples and pecans, usually flavored with cinnamon and finished with a sweet crumb topping.

Despite the name, coffee cake doesn't have to contain coffee. It's called coffee cake because it's traditionally served alongside a cup of coffee.

It's the sort of cake you might enjoy at breakfast, brunch, a church gathering, or an afternoon get-together.

And you certainly don't have to be a coffee drinker to appreciate it!

This version starts with a boxed yellow cake mix, making it especially easy to prepare.

And if you love dates, you'll appreciate their rich sweetness in this recipe. But they're entirely optional.

Ingredients You'll Need

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here's a glance at what you'll need. These are simple ingredients you might already have on hand.

For the coffee cake

• 1 box yellow cake mix (confirm package weight)
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Approximately 1½ cups peeled, finely diced Fuji apples (about 2 apples)
• ¾ cup chopped Medjool dates, optional
• ½ cup chopped pecans

For the pecan streusel

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
• Pinch of salt

How to Make Apple Pecan Coffee Cake from a Cake Mix

Step 1: Prepare your baking dish

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or spray it with nonstick baking spray.

Step 2: Prepare the apples & Dates

Peel and core two Fuji apples. Dice them into small, approximately ¼-inch pieces. You should have about 1½ cups.

If you're preparing the apples ahead of time, you can briefly hold them in water to prevent browning. Drain thoroughly before adding them to the batter.

Chop your dates into small pieces.

Step 3: Make the cake batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, flour, sour cream, eggs, oil, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Mix until the ingredients are incorporated and no dry pockets remain. Avoid overmixing.

Gently fold in the diced apples, chopped pecans, and dates (if using).

The batter should be thick but spreadable.

Step 4: Place batter in pan

Spread the batter evenly into your prepared baking dish.

Step 5: Make the streusel

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon, and salt.

Add the cold, cubed butter. (I opted to grate mine.)

Use a pastry cutter or fork to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the cake batter.

Step 6: Bake

Place the dish in the preheated 350°F oven.

Begin checking around 40 minutes. The cake may need approximately 45–50 minutes, depending on your oven and the moisture in the apples.

Insert a toothpick into the cake portion near the center. It should come out without wet batter.

If the streusel begins browning too quickly, loosely cover the cake with foil.

Step 7: Cool and serve

Allow the cake to cool for at least 20–30 minutes before slicing. Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

What to Expect from This Apple Pecan Coffee Cake

This coffee cake is surprisingly light and fluffy, especially considering how many delicious additions are tucked inside!

The finely diced apples add moisture and little pockets of sweetness, while the dates bring a rich, caramel-like flavor. Chopped pecans provide a delightful crunch, both inside the cake and in the buttery cinnamon streusel topping.

The finished cake has a tender, slightly crumbly texture, just as a good coffee cake should. I especially loved the interior pieces, which stayed beautifully soft.

One thing I learned during testing: My cake baked for 50 minutes, but I think 45–48 minutes would have been even better. I'll recommend checking it a little earlier to keep that tender crumb.

And here's the part that still amazes me: All of this deliciousness started with an ordinary box of yellow cake mix!

Can I Make This Coffee Cake Without Dates?

Absolutely!

I happened to have Medjool dates on hand when I developed this recipe, and I thought their rich sweetness would pair beautifully with the apples and pecans.

But you don't have to use dates.

Try substituting ¾ cup of any of the following:

• Raisins
• Golden raisins
• Dried cranberries (Craisins)
• Chopped dried cherries
• Chopped dried apricots

You can also omit the dried fruit entirely for a more traditional apple pecan coffee cake.

These substitutions are suggestions rather than individually tested variations.

Variations to Try

Apple Cranberry Coffee Cake

Replace the dates with dried cranberries for a sweet-tart variation that's especially appealing during the holidays.

Apple Raisin Coffee Cake

Use raisins or golden raisins in place of the dates for a classic apple-and-cinnamon combination.

Apple Walnut Coffee Cake

Swap the pecans for chopped walnuts in the batter and streusel.

Cinnamon Apple Coffee Cake

Leave out the dates and use the apples, cinnamon, and pecan topping for a simpler version.

Apple Spice Coffee Cake

Add a small pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the batter for an extra layer of warm spice.

These are ideas for future variations and have not all been tested.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best apples for coffee cake?

I used Fuji apples because they're sweet, firm, and hold their shape well during baking. Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith apples are other possibilities.

Do I have to peel the apples?

No, but I recommend peeling them for the most tender texture.

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yellow cake mix is my preference because its mild flavor allows the apples, cinnamon, and pecans to shine. A spice cake mix might also be delicious, though it would change the overall flavor.

Can I leave out the pecans?

Yes. You can omit the pecans if you prefer, although the topping will have a different texture.

Does coffee cake contain coffee?

Usually not! American coffee cakes are traditionally cakes intended to be enjoyed with coffee, though some recipes do include coffee as an ingredient.

Can I make this coffee cake ahead of time?

Yes. Bake it a day ahead, cool completely, and refrigerate it covered. You can warm individual portions before serving.

Can I Freeze Apple Coffee Cake?

Yes! This cake is a good candidate for freezing in individual squares. Allow the cake to cool completely, then slice into portions. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap and place the wrapped pieces in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Freeze for best quality for up to 2–3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature, and warm gently before serving if desired. The streusel may soften slightly after freezing and thawing.

More Coffee Cakes to Try

If you enjoy this easy apple coffee cake, you'll love exploring some of my other coffee cake recipes!

• Easy Peach Coffee Cake with Cake Mix — Another simple way to transform a boxed cake mix into something special.
• Pumpkin Date Coffee Cake with Pecan Streusel — A cozy fall coffee cake with pumpkin, dates, and a buttery topping.
• Maple Walnut Coffee Cake from Scratch — For those who enjoy homemade coffee cakes with nuts.
• Triple Berry Banana Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping — A fruity variation with a crumbly topping.
• Cranberry Sourdough Coffee Cake — A wonderful way to use sourdough in a sweet bake.
• Easy Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake — A classic coffee cake flavor combination.

And if you love baking with cake mixes, be sure to explore my Got a Box of Yellow Cake Mix? Here's What to Make With It collection for even more inspiration.

Final Thoughts

Who would have thought that a couple of apples sitting on the counter could inspire something so delicious?

That's one of the things I love most about baking. Sometimes all it takes is looking at what you already have and imagining the possibilities.

A box of yellow cake mix. A couple of apples. Some pecans. A handful of dates.

Nothing fancy. Nothing complicated.

Just simple ingredients coming together to make something special.

And that's what Out of the Box Baking is all about.

Happy baking, friends! Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

Janice Thompson is a professional baker, cake designer, and author with over 20 years of experience creating unique cakes and desserts. She’s the creator of Out of the Box Baking, where she shares her favorite doctored cake mix recipes, tutorials, and baking tips. Learn more →