Gluten-Free Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel (Vegan, Allergy-Free)

Published: Apr 29, 2019 · Modified: Feb 22, 2021 by Rebecca Pytell · This post may contain affiliate links.

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: