The best Gluten-Free Coffee Cake loaded with cinnamon streusel! This classic cake is vegan, allergy-free, and sugar-free! Baked rich and moist with a dairy-free sour cream and balanced with a decadent and buttery brown sugar cinnamon top and middle layer! A breakfast treat or dessert recipe you will adore!
One type of cake that can never be passed up is coffee cake. The classic breakfast cake that will literally make you day 100% better, even before you've taken that first sip of coffee in the mug beside your plate! That warm, buttery, cinnamony, sweet aroma that draws anyone into the nearest bakery can be yours, at home! Even better? No celiac tears here, because this decadent coffee cake is gluten-free, vegan, allergy-free, and sugar-free!
Why is it called coffee cake?
Let's clear the #1 question up once and for all! It's called coffee cake for the sole fact that it's a cake that should be served with a cup of coffee! And when do you typically have coffee? In the morning, during breakfast or at night with dessert. Technically, we can categorize any type of cake as a coffee cake since what cake doesn't go well with coffee?
Does coffee cake contain coffee?
Haha, no! The biggest misconception of them all. Coffee cake DOES NOT actually contain any coffee, nor caffeine! The "coffee" part is simply a strong suggestion as to what it should be served with. Even if you're not a coffee drinker or hate the taste of coffee, no worries! This tender, cinnamon sweet cake is STILL an option for you!
Is coffee cake the same as crumb cake?
No, they are not the same. Crumb cake is distinct in the fact that the crumb top is much heavier on the crumb, a bit drier and crunchier of a crumb as well. For example, the New York style crumb cake. However, crumb cake is a type of coffee cake; a sub-category, if you will. A classic coffee cake is actually baked in a round shape, either in a flouted or bunt pan. It can be made in a square pan (which is how I baked mine). Crumb cake is always baked in a square dish as it needs that flat and stable surface to hold the heavy crumb layer. Crumb cakes typically don't' have a middle streusel layer either, not do crumb cake have the additional white icing on top.
How to make a gluten-free vegan coffee cake
Just when you thought coffee cake was one of the least allergy-friendly treats to bake. Surprisingly you only need some basic and minimal ingredients. The classics are classic for a reason, eh?
What you need:
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Granulated Erythritol (or your preferred granulated sweetener)
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Commercial Egg Replacement
- Vegan Sour Cream
- Non-Dairy Milk
Sour cream in coffee cake
Classic coffee cakes typically are made with a large dose of sour cream! Isn't that gross? Does it taste sour? Nope! Sour cream coffee cake is pretty much the traditional way to make coffee cake. It makes the cake moist, tender and adds a perfectly balanced rich flavor to an otherwise bland cake.
How to make a quick vegan sour cream
Store-bought vegan sour creams are hard to come by and when you do find them, they typically are made with soy. My go-to when I need vegan sour cream in a pinch is unsweetened plain coconut yogurt and a touch of lemon juice or white vinegar. Works like a charm every time! This sour cream hack is dairy-free, soy-free, and nut-free so it checks off all the major food allergy boxes! Can't do coconut? Use whichever unsweetened plain yogurt you typically buy!
How to make a streusel topping for coffee cake
A streusel topping is less crunchy and "deep" than a crumb topping. It's more brown sugar and butter based than a crumb topping which has more white sugar (i.e. the crunch). The streusel isn't just going on top of the gluten-free coffee cake, but half of it will be sprinkled in a middle layer between halves of the cake batter. This way you are optimizing the sweet, cinnamon, buttery flavor sensation in each and every bite of cake!
What you need for a sugar-free streusel topping:
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
- Cinnamon
- Brown Sugar Erythritol (or your preferred brown sweetener)
- Granulated Erythritol (or your preferred granulated sweetener)
- Vegan/Allergy-Free Butter
To assemble the cake:
- Mix your cake batter ingredients in a bowl.
- Mix and crumble together the streusel with your hands in a separate bowl.
- Layer half the batter in an 8x8 square baking pan. Sprinkle a little less than half the streusel on top of the batter. Pour the rest of the batter over this light layer of streusel, then top the cake with the rest of the streusel.
Then you'll bake the cake, let it cool, and drizzle on a simply sugar-free icing glaze, grab your cup of coffee and devour your perfect slice of allergy-free coffee cake!
Freezing your coffee cake
If you want to freeze your coffee cake you can wrap the entire thing in freezer-safe wrap and store it in a large airtight ziplock bag. You can also wrap each slice individually and store the same way. This way you can take one piece out to thaw and not worry about having to consume an entire cake. 3 to 4 months is best if you want optimal coffee cake when you thaw it out in the fridge and then at room temperature on the counter.
Storing your coffee cake
You can store it right on the counter at room temperature in an airtight container! Unlike something with a cream cheese frosting! The gluten-free cake will stay fresh for 5-6 days at room temperature in the container and a few more days if you keep it in the fridge.
How to serve a coffee cake
This gluten-free coffee cake makes 9 perfectly even, square slices. Simply cut and serve, whether that's for breakfast, brunch, dessert. Coffee cake is such a great holiday treat for serving to a crowd too! Or something perfect to bring to a potluck...that would be delicious! You can eat this cake at room temperature or warm it up slightly for an ultimate cozy indulgence (healthy indulgence!)
Other coffee cake recipes to try:
- Gingerbread Quinoa Coffee Cake
- Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake
- Mango Snack Cake with Toasted Coconut Crumb
- Gluten-Free Coffee Cake Doughnuts
Gluten-Free Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel
Gluten-Free Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel (Vegan, Allergy-Free)
The best Gluten-Free Coffee Cake loaded with cinnamon streusel! This classic cake is vegan, allergy-free, and sugar-free! Baked rich and moist with a dairy-free sour cream and balanced with a decadent and buttery brown sugar cinnamon top and middle layer! A breakfast treat or dessert recipe you will adore!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 Slices 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Cake Batter:
- 2 ¼ Cup Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Tsp Baking Powder
- ¾ Cup Granulated Erythritol (or preferred granulated sweetener)
- 1 Prepared Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacement
- ¾ Cup Unsweetened Plain Coconut Yogurt
- 2 Tsp Lemon Juice or White Vinegar
- 1 Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- ½ Tsp Cinnamon
- ¼ Cup Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk
Cinnamon Streusel:
- 1 Cup Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
- 1 ½ Tsp Cinnamon
- ¾ Cup Brown Sugar Style Erythritol (or preferred brown sweetener)
- ⅓ Cup Granulated Erythritol (or preferred granulated sweetener)
- 1 Stick Vegan/Allergy-Free Butter (softened)
Icing Drizzle:
- 1 Cup Powdered Erythritol (or preferred powdered sweetener)
- 1 ½ TB Water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, combine all the cake batter ingredients except the egg replacement, yogurt, lemon juice, and milk. Whisk to combine.
- In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt and lemon juice.
- Add the "sour cream", egg replacer, and milk to the dry ingredients and mix well to combine.
- In another bowl, combine all the cinnamon streusel ingredients, mix, and crumble together with your fingers.
- Grease an 8x8 square baking dish well and pour in half of the cake batter, then sprinkle about ⅓ of the streusel evenly over the batter, before pouring in the rest of the cake batter to the pan. Finish the cake off with the rest of the streusel, completely covering the top of the batter.
- Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick tested in the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove and let cool a bit in the pan, before removing and transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the icing, simply mix together the powdered sweetener and water. Use a spoon or butter knife to drizzle over the cake.
- Slice the finished cake into 9 squares and serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
Keywords: coffee cake, cake, gluten-free coffee cake, cinnamon streusel, streusel, crumb cake, breakfast cake, cinnamon, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, allergy-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, fish-free, sesame-free, sugar-free
Cinnamon, sweet brown "sugar", buttery moist, rich cake. Literally, how could you not want a slice! Coffee cake has always been a favorite of mine and I can guarantee THIS gluten-free vegan coffee cake will be a favorite of yours too! So, are you ready to get baking? The smell alone, of the cake while it's baking, will have your mouth-watering!
So tell me:
+ Thoughts on coffee cake vs. crumb cake?
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Rachna
Hi
Looks delicious! Would flax or chia egg work instead of the egg replacer?
Thanks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Sure.
Joanne
This was so good! Even my husband liked it!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I am so glad to hear that!
Miz Helen
Your Coffee Cake looks amazing! I must try it!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you do!
April J Harris
I'm all about healthier treats, and I love how this delicious coffee cake is suitable for so many different diets. Pinning to two boards.
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Angella
OMG...I love coffee cake (actually anything coffee-related)! I must try this recipe out! Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, well, it's a complement to your coffee!
Harini
I just love cakes with cinnamon flavor and your cake looks so yummy and tempting. Lovely pictures!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Cinnamon is an essential to me!
Jared
Thanks for the recipe, the coffee cake was so delicious!
Jared
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I am glad you thought so!
Lindsay Cotter
Such a delicious way to start the day!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think so!
Sabrina Kim
This is my ABSOLUTE favorite sweet snack. So glad I came across your gluten-free, vegan recipe x
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A snack! Like the way you think!
Delovely Details
I can’t wait to try this recipe for my mother in law who just got diagnosed with celiacs! Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This can be a great Mother's Day treat for her!
Kasia
This coffee cake looks delish. You are right it will go perfectly with coffee. I need to take down the recipe asap.
★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Let me know if you give it a go!
Hannah Rooks
I wouldn’t be able to pass this cake up either! I need to try it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, it's a must for EVERYONE!
Ashley
This looks incredible!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad you think so, enjoy!
Cindy
This looks really good! Love your tip for vegan sour cream. And I appreciate the gluten free vegan recipes. 😊
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The best and cheapest way to make allergy-free sour cream!
Briana
I always liked coffee cake a bit better than crumb cake!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's a little less messy!
Christa
Coffee cake is one of my absolute favorites! I can’t wait to try this recipe. It looks so yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right? It is just SO good!
ERica valentin
Oh wow! This looks so yummy! If I wasn’t trying to avoid carbs I would be all over this LOL!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha.
Annie @ Annie's Noms
Oh my gosh, this looks incredible!!! I love coffee cakes so much, but haven't made one in a few months. Going to have to try this one out!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right? It has always been such a favorite!
Helen Little
I had no idea there is coffee cake that's not just coffee-flavoured cake! This recipe sounds amazing, I love cinnamon.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ha, where do you live?
Helen
Oh my gosh! YUM!! This looks so so delicious.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad you think so, enjoy!
Leigh Suznovich
Loved learning how to make a vegan sour cream, and it is definitely essential in a good coffee cake!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Super easy to whip up with just some yogurt and acid!
Indumathi Lakshmikanthan
This looks yummy and the step by step procedure is very useful.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm so glad you found it so!
Brittany Limberakis
This looks delicious! I bet this is a hit at parties!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Do people serve coffee cake at parties?
Charlene
Yum! This looks so good. I love coffee cake but have never tried a gluten free verison.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well, if you don't have celiac disease, why would you have?
Tiffany
This looks delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
cait
this looks SO yummy! i love coffee cake especially if it's with cinnamon! i cant wait to try and make this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Can't have coffee cake without cinnamon, haha!