Get cozy with some coffee and a slice of this gingerbread quinoa coffee cake! A warm holiday flavor with the protein of quinoa, gluten-free and vegan, this healthy coffee cake is perfect for a winter breakfast or a weekend brunch!
And with this my dear gluten-free friends, I’ve crossed another to-do on my recipe bucket list! COFFEE CAKE! I think this is my new seasonal holiday joy and I’m so very proud about how it came out on the first try! This is so full of yum, so fun to make, and might I add pretty damn healthy too! I don’t know where exactly my obsession with the quest for making the perfect coffee cake came from, but I’m glad I got the urge! But…I have my suspicions that it had something to do with this gem.
Yes, yes, another Entenmann’s baked good. The classic Crumb Coffee Cake! Growing up, I’m pretty sure that was the only coffee cake I’d ever really have, not even that often, mind you. But I guess, just like the crumb doughnuts, this cake gave me the same satisfaction and I’m still revealing in the gluten-filled memories. Haha, processed baked goods were not the only thing I ate growing up, but they sure do give me some great inspiration for remaking those goodies to be healthy and fit those dietary needs!
Now my friends, before we delve further into coffee cakeing, let’s discuss what exactly coffee cake is. You know I love my food history and culture, and this little tid-bit always baffled me. I was always pretty angry (yes, angry) at the fact that coffee cake did not actually contain any coffee. I mean, what is up with that!? I mean, a classic coffee cake really is just flavored with cinnamon and brown sugar with that great crumble topping. And is it a cake or a quick bread? Is it breakfast or dessert?
Well first off, this “cake” is eaten WITH coffee or other hot beverage like tea. That’s why it’s called coffee cake. A pretty good accompaniment to coffee if you ask me! Some see it as a sweet bread since it can either be baked in a loaf pan or in a square baking pan like I did. So anytime you’d drink coffee, this cake is acceptable. Meaning, breakfast, brunch, or dessert is the perfect time to serve some up!
Which leads me to believe this would make the perfect Christmas morning breakfast! Come on now! Cozied up by the fire and Christmas tree, unwrapping presents and stockings, sipping some coffee or hot chocolate, I can just picture it now! Then comes in warm slices of gingerbread coffee cake and everyone just blisses out in pure holiday joy with the first fork full! Can you tell I’m excited about this coffee cake? And Christmas…
Another thing I’m ultra excited about is posting this first recipe using quinoa flour! It may be my new favorite flour (okay, after buckwheat). It has a very strong smell when you first open the package, but fear not! Once baked, it’s fabulous! However, I didn’t stop with just quinoa flour, I made the crumb topping with another one of my near and dear favorite ingredients, quinoa flakes! So I give this cake a major thumbs up in the health department! Quinoa is one of the best complete plant-based proteins!
And you know, gingerbread, so very iconic and you know I love it! Just wait until you check out just exactly that topping is made too! It actually came out a bit crunchy which was fantastic with the soft cake. So now, I hope your mouths are watering and your coffee cake cravings are reaching unbearable levels, because I’m about to blow you totally out of the part!
Gingerbread Quinoa Coffee Cake
- For the Cake:
- 1 Cup Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour
- ½ Cup Quinoa Flour
- ½ Cup Millet Flour
- 2 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 2 TB Blackstrap Molasses
- ½ Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- 1 Tsp Ground Ginger
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
- ½ Tsp Ground Nutmeg
- ¼ Tsp Ground Cloves
- For the Crumb Topping:
- ⅓ Cup Quinoa Flakes
- ¼ Cup Erythritol
- 1 TB Blackstrap Molasses
- ½ Tsp Ground Ginger
- ½ Tsp Cinnamon
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the cake ingredients and mix together until you have a well blended batter.
- In another mixing bowl, combine the crumb topping ingredients and use your hand to blend it all together. It should smell and feel like brown sugar!
- In a well greased 8x8 baking pan, dust in a bit of flour and then pour in the cake batter. Spread it evenly in the pan and smooth out the top.
- Sprinkle on all the crumb topping evenly over the top of the batter.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove and let cool.
Are you excited? Are you? I am! I’m hoarding 2 squares of this in my freezer at the moment for just the perfect morning…like tomorrow 😉 Cracking in to the top of the crumb and then the soft moist cake with your fork (or spoon) is one of those moments that should be captured on film and made in slow motion. You know what I mean? It’s that good!
So tell me:
+ Who here likes coffee cake?
+ Do you have a Christmas breakfast tradition? Growing up, my dad always went down the street to get us bagels, doughnuts, hot chocolate, and coffee (as my brother and I eagerly awaited ripping open our stocking and presents!)
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Yum!! I love everything about this coffee cake- especially that it’s gluten free so I can enjoy with no belly ache. And if the definition of coffee cake is any cake enjoyed with coffee…well that’s pretty much every cake I eat 🙂
Exactly! I need to make some of this again! One of my old favorites!
What an awesome breakfast/snack/dessert! Love the flavors here!
Jenni recently posted…Crock Pot Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce
Thanks! This was a favorite of ours last year!
Mmmmm What a perfect combo! Love quinoa and gingerbread! NOM!
It’s a new favorite combo for sure!!
This coffee cake looks amazingly delicious!
Pauline Molinari recently posted…12 Cozy Christmas Craft Ideas #MondayFundayParty
Haha, thank you!
This looks delicious Rebecca! I love coffee cake + gingerbread. What a fun combo.
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish recently posted…Wickedly Delicious {and Healthy} Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
Yes! It’s the best!
This recipe really caught my eye with the quinoa and all. I’m always looking for super healthy recipes. My husband has a sweet tooth, a holdover from his childhood when his mom, and I LOVED her, put sugar on/in just about everything, like most red blooded American housewives did back in the 50s. It has been huge struggle for him. It affects his weight control, his food happiness factor. He fights it to this day, even though I have never used sugar when I cook and am literally neurotic about clean nutrition, non GMO ingredients, no sugars, preventing TypeII Diabetes. and on and on. This tells me that we need to eliminate all sugars, no matter how they are derived, from our children’s diets so that they don’t end up with this life long sugar tooth problem. Have you tried to make this recipe without the erythritol? What would you substitute as the sweetener? Honey would work but it might not give that semi crunchy coffee cake effect. If you come up with an alternate recipe that works I would love to have it! It’s a good one!
Diana Auerhammer recently posted…Art with the Kids, Part 3 – Creativity, So What?
Erythritol is not a sugar. It’s like stevia, but more equal of a replacement with classic sugar when baking. So I’m confused?
Never did I imagine gluten free coffee cake could exist. It sounds excellent, though! I am pinning this for sure!
Sam // DIY Just Cuz recently posted…DIY Christmas Planner Accessories!
Well your life is about to change!
This looks Yummy! The gingerbread flavors remind me of Christmas!
Elaine recently posted…Baked Taco Shells Hack – Semi Fail!
Well, it’s kinda the reason why, haha!
This looks delish!! I have pinned your post!
Creatively Homespun recently posted…A Vintage Nativity
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I love all things gingerbread! This coffee cake looks very yummy!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Holiday Funfetti Rice
That it is!
oh yum, this look delish! I need to try this one!
Lauren recently posted…Healthy Blueberry French Toast Casserole
You’ll love it!
judging from all the comments, this must be an amazing coffee cake – it sounds too healthy to be so delicious so I guess it’s a win/win!
Leanne@crestingthehill recently posted…Over The Moon Link Party #2
Why can’t healthy be delicious?
Awesome, this has everything in it that I like, great recipe and pics.
Thank you!
This looks delicious. Always looking for interesting things to make with quinoa.
Fantastic! I hope you try it!
Yum! This looks delicious and easy – the perfect treat for these cold, winter mornings!
Alison [Life of Scoop] recently posted…All You Really Need to Embrace Humility Through Change
It will definitely make you feel cozy!
Okay this looks ridiculously good. Pinning this to try next weekend!!
Megan | BeetsNotMeats recently posted…Peppermint Mocha Bread
Awesome! Thanks Megan!
This looks fantastic!
Jessica recently posted…Simply Natural Saturdays!
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Hey there Rebecca,
These look and sound so inviting. What a fantastic way to to use quinoa. I am pinning them for later use.
Cheers!
Shreyashi Ganguly recently posted…Home-made Old-fashioned Eggnog
Thank you so much!
This looks amazing! I think that my hubby would absolutely love it. I’m pinning this recipe for later. Coffee cake is actually a family tradition of his and I never make it. His mom always made coffee cake for the kids on Christmas and now that we live in another state from her, I think that this coffee cake would sure make the holidays brighter for us. 🙂
Gina recently posted…A Country Girl at Heart
I think you just found your new tradition them! Thanks Gina! Let me know if you make it! xoxo
Oh my goodness, this looks amazing! I’m the only one who likes quinoa so I won’t have to share!
Haha, I think this will have everyone loving it though! Watch out!
Hi Rebecca,
What a perfect match – coffee cake & gingerbread – sounds like a great tasty and delicious recipe.
It sure is! Thank you!
Yum, this looks wonderful!!
Thank you Megan!
Adding quinoa flour to my shopping list as we speak! I love giving my family sweet treats, and but they’ve got to be healthy! This looks like it will fit the bill perfectly. Thanks for the great recipe.
You will love baking with it! It’s a great (secret) way to add dome great power packed nutrients! XOXO Thanks dear! Enjoy!
Love everything about this! Ginger bread cake, then add some quinoa. Great gluten-free combo!
Kari recently posted…Curry Pickled Peaches
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Droooling! I’m going to drink so much coffee once I’m done with this just to have an excuse to devour another serving 😀 I’ve been wanting to try quinoa flour for a while now so this is my perfect excuse to buy some. Plus the molasses in the topping, mmm… *daydreaming about cake* LOVE it!
Yes! Do it! I am loving the quinoa flour! I can’t wait to bake more with it!
The topping was the best part! Crunchy and sweet but secretly healthy!
I LOVE COFFEE CAKE!!! I have never tried quinoa flour before, but now I’ll have to look for some! Thanks for sharing another wonderful recipe!
Quinoa flour is fantastic!! (A bit pricy) but worth it as a little goes a long way!
Your coffee cake! I was hoping you would post this. It looks delicious and can’t wait to try it.
Kristen @ The Endless Meal recently posted…November Food Blog Income Report
Thank you so much Kristen!
This looks so amazing! I love that you used quinoa to make it not only a delicious treat, but a great source of protein as well!
Elise @frugalfarmwife.com recently posted…No-Bake Christmas Cookies
That’s why it makes the perfect breakfast!
so many different types of flours – love! I’ve only tried coconut flour and oat flour (besides APF)
Jess @hellotofit recently posted…How to Live in the Present Moment
You are missing out! Haha!
I love coffee cake, and this recipe is so creative and looks delicious!!
Melanie recently posted…WholeFIT: Wellness for Life {Book Review}
You must make some Melanie!
Rebecca this looks great!!! I love coffee cake and I LOVE gingerbread. I will not be passing this one up 🙂
Erin recently posted…Spelt Gnocchi With Sun-Dried Tomato sauce
That’s why I had to combine the 2 loves! Thanks Erin!
Brilliant, as always! I love coffee cake and quinoa, but would never have thought of putting them together! Yum!
Angie Scheie recently posted…Weekending (A Rooftop Affair, Gingerbread Showdown, & Moments with Mom)
They are a great couple!
Looks wonderful. Nothing like a tender, moist coffeecake to make my afternoon. 🙂
Susan | LunaCafe recently posted…Green Tea & Rose Spritz
It’s heaven 😉
I’ve never thought of making something sweet with quinoa.
Sandy Sandmeyer recently posted…How Are YOU Listening To Tunes? Part 2
I rarely cook quinoa anything savory!
Wow, this looks wonderful….can’t wait to make this one form gluten intolerant mom. Nice post and photos!
She will appreciate it 😉 Thank you dear!
I’ve never seen quinoa in coffee cake – what a unique combo. Plus gingerbread too – perfect for the holidays. I’m curious to try this now!
Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder recently posted…No Bake Chocolate Pomegranate Tart
You must! You will love it and feel good about eating it!
This looks so good, if only I had a oven (or kitchen) right now I would whip it up. I can imagine how good my house would smell!
Sarah recently posted…Sweet Potato Superfood Kale Salad
In due time 😉 You’ll just have more excuses to spend the weekends baking away ALL day!
OMG this looks heavenly!!! I’ve never really been into coffee cake but gingerbread coffee cake? With quinoa?? I’m hooked. Great recipe!! Can’t wait to try it 🙂
Emilie @ Emilie Eats recently posted…Whole Wheat Vegan Cranberry Orange Bread
You are about to be a coffee cake LOVER!!
I love that this isn’t one of those in-your-face holiday recipes that’s overloaded with sugar! Also, SO stoked to see someone using erythritol–I bake with xylitol all the time and I’m so surprised by how similar it tastes to sugar without so much of the crazy high. Beautiful recipe!
Amanda @ Grad Girl recently posted…How to get jobs when you have tattoos, piercings, or crazy hair (plus a FREE checklist!)
I’ve only recently become obsessed with erythritol and loving the ease of use with replacing! Stevia and stevia syrup is great for some things, but this stuff is fantastic in big baking projects!
This looks so delicious. I am excited to give this recipe a try! Thanks for sharing:)
Jodi @ The Average RD recently posted…Comment on How To Find Exercise You’ll Love To Do by Jodi@TheAverageRD
Well thank you 🙂
What a great way to incorporate quinoa!
Kari recently posted…Christmas Party Favorites
One of the best seeds!
What a fun, festive recipe. Thanks! 🙂
Chandice recently posted…25 Days of Gluten-Free Giveaways™-Dressing Your Truth
Thank you! It’s fantastic!
This cake looks amazing! Ginger and coffee sounds like such a great combo!
Heidi Kokborg recently posted…Christmas market in Lübeck
Sans coffee, but yes 😉
Wow I’m not usually a coffee cake person but this looks so delicious… I finally bought a jar of molasses so I will have to try this!! Also, craving an East Coast bagel like whoa right now.
Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together recently posted…Carrot Coconut Ginger Soup with Crispy Chickpeas [Gluten-Free + Vegan]
I am always craving an East Coast bagel hahahahaha!
Wow, look at those ingredients! Adding this coffee cake to my must make list for sure.
Laureen Fox recently posted…Day 7: Almond Flour Cookies in a Jar ~ Detoxinista
Woohoo! I hope you really do dear!
I actually don’t think I’ve ever had coffee cake, but it’s something I crave regularly?? So weird haha! I remember when I first found out there was no coffee actually in it, I was so confused haha!
This seriously looks amazzzzzzing!!
Leah M @ love me, feed me recently posted…sunday reading #10
WHAT!!??? Get some of this cake in your life STAT!!!
Maybe we should make a coffee coffee cake next 😉 You know, to stop the confusion!
Pass the pan. The whole thing. Right now.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Making the Most of My Weekend Post MRI Results Shock
I will! You deserve it most!
Anything with quinoa is win win ´for me! This cake surely rock your coffee table…
Florian @ContentednessCooking recently posted…Veggie Burger with Cauliflower
I believe it will 😉 Thank you Florian!
Rebecca – you didn’t just cross “COFFEE CAKE” off your to make list – you CONQUERED GF coffee cake! This looks fantastic – loving the texture of it!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan recently posted…Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Soup
Hahahaha! That made my day Shashi 😉 You are such a sweetheart! xoxo
I have once tasted a chocolate cake made from Quinoa and loved it so I always get excited when I see a recipe for sweet treats using quinoa! This looks absolutely delish and great with a cup of tea!
Manila Spoon recently posted…25 Delicious No Bake Holiday Chocolate Desserts
And you can never go wrong with chocolate anyway 😉
OMG you were right this is a recipe to be VERY excited about! Coffee cake alone, awesome! But you make it gingerbread-ified and then throwing in some funky new flour action, this is like crazy amazing awesomeness! (I think I just put way too many adjectives together in my excitement) And the texture looks really lovely too! Skip the coffee for me, I’ll just take an extra slice of this 🙂 Hope today is going okay <3
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit recently posted…Maple Cornmeal Banana Bread
We need a coffee CAKE date 😉 And I like adjectives as you know. The more the merrier! Adjectives are like spices to foods, they flavor things up so much better 😉 xoxo
Coffee cake with a good crumb top is easily one of my favorites! And the molasses and ginger make this amazing I’m sure 🙂
Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted…Chewy Almond Butter Chocolate Sandwich Cookies {Paleo}
Triple awesome 😉
This looks great! While I don’t have either quinoa or millet flour in my arsenal, I feel like maybe this is a good start for just pulling the trigger on buying a few bags of it!
Every gluten-free girl MUST have those 2 in her pantry!
I have to confess I don’t think I’ve ever had an Entenmann’s cake. I have only heard of them on Seinfeld reruns, lol. I almost never bake but this is too tempting to resist and the flavors have me wishing it was in front of me right now. This will be perfect for guests over the holidays. Thanks, Rebecca!
Girl do it!!! Make this cake anyway…way better and healthier 😉 hahahaha!
Thank you sweet dear!
Oh! This looks yummy! Pinning!!!
Rosemond Cates recently posted…National Cookie Day Picture Book List
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I need to make this like, right now!
Annmarie recently posted…Be A SmartyPants: How to Avoid Vitamin D Deficiency
Turn that oven on!
This looks so yummy! I usually make overnight creme brulee French toast for breakfast, but it’s definitely not healthy 🙂 Will have to try your recipe!
Lauren @ Eating with a Purpose recently posted…What I Ate This Week: November 29- December 5
But that sounds pretty amazing, hahaha!
I do Rebecca. I. Love. Coffe cake. And it’s so funny that I came across this and your whole discussion about what makes it a cake or a sweet bread because I just made a “bread” recipe that could’ve easily been an amazing coffee cake.
Carmella recently posted…Crispy “Breaded” Chicken Tenders with Homemade Ranch
Sweet bread, coffee cake…as long as it’s carby and delicious 😉
i’m liking your recipe bucket list! keep them coming! coffee cake is my FAV!
lindsay recently posted…Easy Spiced Hot Fruit Bake {Gluten Free}
I think I’m obsessed! Thanks Lindsay!
Rebecca, this looks great! I love the gingerbread flavors and the quinoa in this cake! Wish I had some with my coffee now!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom recently posted…Creamy Roasted Garlic Pesto Dip
We love all things gingerbread. I especially love that you used quinoa flour.
Christie recently posted…Best of Healthier Christmas Desserts
looks super yummy
jennifer recently posted…DIY Holiday Tea Bags + Honey Crystal Giveaway #BeeSweet
Thanks dear!
awwww yeah! great minds think alike! This looks amazing 🙂
rachel @ Athletic Avocado recently posted…Peppermint Patty Oatmeal {GF + Vegan option!}
Coffee cake life!
Looks good! 🙂
Patricia recently posted…Hiking at Mt. Batulao: What you need to know
Thank you!
A guilt-free coffee cake? Yes please.
Haha, the best!