Vegan Coffee Cake
There’s nothing like a slice of warm, crumbly coffee cake to make any morning feel extra special! This vegan coffee cake has a soft, moist texture with a sweet cinnamon crumble on top. It’s perfect with a cup of coffee, spiced latte, boba coffee, tea, or even a glass of plant-based milk.
The best part? It’s super easy to make with simple ingredients you probably already have amongst your pantry staples. No dairy or eggs needed—just a few swaps for a delicious, buttery flavor. Whether you’re serving it for brunch or just want a cozy treat, this cake is sure to be a hit!
It’s also a delicious addition to Sunday brunch or a special occasion tea party. If you can’t wait another minute, grab your apron and let’s get baking!
Why You Must Try This Vegan Coffee Cake
Making a coffee cake is a fun and rewarding activity that results in a delicious treat everyone will enjoy! If you can round up some friends or family (especially the little ones) to help you, even better. You probably have everything you need right in your kitchen pantry.
- Delicious Flavor. Vegan coffee cake is super yummy with its sweet, cinnamon-spiced taste that everyone loves.
- Easy to Make. It’s a simple recipe that’s perfect for beginner vegan bakers or anyone looking for a quick and tasty treat.
- Great for Sharing. A fantastic choice for vegan parties, gatherings, brunches, or just sharing with friends and family.
- Comforting and Cozy. Baking fills your home with a warm, comforting aroma that’s perfect for a cozy day in. It could even be considered self-care if you love doing it!
- Versatile Treat. You can enjoy vegan coffee cake for breakfast, as a snack, or as a dessert – it’s perfect any time of day!
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
While the ingredient list may look long—don’t be intimidated! It’s full of pantry staples you most likely already have and the process is straight-forward. Here’s what all you need:
- All-Purpose Flour – Holds the cake together and gives it a soft, fluffy texture. Want a little extra fiber? Swap half the flour for whole wheat flour, but keep in mind the cake might be a bit denser. If you need a gluten-free option, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Light Brown Sugar – Gives the cake its sweetness while also adding moisture and a slight caramel-like flavor. It helps keep the cake soft instead of dry. If you’re out of brown sugar, mix white sugar with a little molasses. Coconut sugar also works but gives a deeper, less sweet flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon – Lends the coffee cake its classic warm, cozy flavor. It pairs perfectly with the brown sugar and crumbly topping. Want a little extra spice? Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice. If you’re not a big cinnamon fan, try cardamom for a different twist.
- Vegan Butter – Adds richness to the cake and makes the crumble topping nice and crispy. It also helps with moisture in the cake itself. No high-quality vegan butter ? Use solid coconut oil for a similar texture, or try homemade applesauce in the cake for a lighter, oil-free version.
- Vegan Yogurt – Gives the cake moisture and helps keep it soft and tender. No unsweetened vegan yogurt? Use unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana instead. Just note that banana will add some extra flavor.
- Vegan Milk – Adds moisture and helps blend all the ingredients smoothly. Any unsweetened plant milk works! Almond milk, soy, oat, or homemade cashew milk are all good choices. If you want extra richness, use full-fat coconut milk.
- White Vinegar – Reacts with the baking soda to help the cake rise. It’s a key trick in vegan baking to get a light, fluffy texture. Apple cider vinegar works just as well. If you’re out of vinegar, lemon juice can also do the job!
- Canola Oil – Keeps the cake super moist without making it heavy. It also helps keep the texture soft for days. Any neutral oil like vegetable or grapeseed oil works too. For a lighter option, you can swap half the oil for applesauce.
- Cornstarch – Makes the cake extra tender. Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch can work instead of cornstarch. If you don’t have any, just leave it out—your cake might be slightly more crumbly, but still delicious!
How To Make This Vegan Coffee Cake Recipe
Now comes the fun part—making this scrumptious coffee cake! With simple steps and basic ingredients, you’ll be on your way to baking a delicious treat that’s perfect for sharing or enjoying all to yourself. Here’s how you do it:
Step 1: Prep and Preheat – Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing an 8-inch square pan with non-stick cooking spray and lining with baking paper.
Step 2: Mix up the dry streusel topping ingredients and then mix with the melted vegan butter. It should look crumbly, but also moist. Keep it cool in the fridge while you prepare the batter.
Then, Step 3: Combine the cinnamon and sugar together.
Step 4: Mix and set aside.
Step 5: In a large mixing bowl and using a hand whisk, combine all of the liquid ingredients—vegan yogurt, vegan milk, and vinegar. Next, add in the oil, sugar, and vanilla.
Then, Step 6: Add in the dry ingredients including the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the wet mixture.
Step 7: Spread half of the batter into the prepared baking pan.
Step 8: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the batter.
Finally, Step 9: Add the remaining batter and finish with the chilled streusel topping.
Step 10: Bake and Enjoy! – Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the coffee cake to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Enjoy your delicious homemade coffee cake with a steaming cup of coffee, a rich coffee cocktail, or your favorite beverage! When you want to switch things up, how about a slice of vegan carrot cake with vegan cream cheese frosting?
Helpful Tips and Serving Suggestions
With these tasty tips, you’ll be well-equipped to bake and enjoy this utterly delicious vegan crumb cake with friends and family. So go ahead, get baking, and savor every delightful bite. If you have any brilliant tips that we haven’t listed here, make sure to comment below and share them with us!
- Topping Twist – Experiment with different toppings to add extra flavor and texture to your coffee cake. Try sprinkling chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, on top before baking for a delightful crunch. You can also add a streusel or crumb topping made with brown sugar, flour, and vegan butter for an irresistible sweet finish.
- Serve Toasty Warm – Coffee cake is best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven. To reheat leftovers, simply pop individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds or warm them in a low oven. The heat will revive the cake’s soft texture and enhance its lovely aroma and flavor.
- Buddy with Your Favorite Beverage – While coffee cake is a classic companion to a steaming cup of coffee, don’t hesitate to pair it with your favorite beverage. Whether it’s a creamy latte, a soothing cup of tea, or a refreshing glass of cold plant-based milk, the choice is yours!
- Pretty Presentation – Dress up your coffee cake for special occasions by adding a drizzle of glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar on top. You can also garnish with fresh berries or a dollop of vegan whipped cream for an extra touch of elegance.
- Make It Your Own – Don’t hesitate to personalize your vegan coffee cake recipe to suit your taste. If you’re a fan of citrus flavors, consider adding a hint of lemon or orange zest to the batter. For a decadent twist, add vegan chocolate chips or chunks into the mix. You can also play around with spices like nutmeg or cardamom for a unique and yummy flavor.
Vegan Coffee Cake FAQs
To keep your coffee cake fresh and moist, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you have leftovers that you won’t be able to finish in time, freeze individual slices to enjoy later on. Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing them in the freezer. When you’re ready for another slice, let it thaw at room temperature or warm it up in the microwave for a quick treat.
Sure! The easiest way is to substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour. Our favorite brands are King Arthur, Bob’s Red Mill, and Better Batter.
Although it won’t taste entirely the same, you could swap the cinnamon for vanilla powder, dried orange or lemon zest, cardamom, or ground coffee powder. Any of those flavors would taste delicious in this vegan cake.
More Yummy Baked Treats to Try
Listen while you cook! Tune into my podcast, The Plant Powered People Podcast, while you’re cooking, folding laundry, or taking a bath. It may just change your life!
Vegan Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour, (65g) + 1 tablespoon
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, (55g)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, (30g)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ cup vegan butter, melted + 1 teaspoon (62g)
Cinnamon Sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, (55g)
- 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, (4g)
Coffee Cake
- ¾ cup unsweetened vegan yogurt, + 3 tablespoons (220 ml)
- ½ cup unsweetened vegan milk, (120ml)
- ½ teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ cup canola oil, (120ml)
- 1 cup granulated sugar, + 1 tablespoon (215g)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, (10ml)
- 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour, (300g)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, (16g)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder, (9g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- For the streusel topping, combine the all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon powder, and salt in a bowl. Give it a good mix with a spatula. Pour the melted vegan butter into the flour mixture. Mix everything using a spatula. It will have a crumbly texture. You can store it in the refrigerator until you prepare the coffee cake batter.
- For the cinnamon sugar layer, combine the light brown sugar and cinnamon powder in a small bowl. Stir it, and set it to the side.
- For the coffee cake batter, preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease an 8 x 8 x 2–inch (20 x 20 x 5–cm) square cake tin with baking spray, and line it with baking paper. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the vegan yogurt, vegan milk, and vinegar. Mix both ingredients with a hand whisk. Add the canola oil, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix with a whisk until the granulated sugar is dissolved.
- Add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the yogurt mixture. Mix the batter with the help of a hand whisk. The resulting batter will be fluffy and smooth.
- For layering the crumb cake, take your square cake tin that is lined with baking paper, and pour half of the coffee cake batter into it. Then, sprinkle all the cinnamon sugar in an even layer over the cake batter. Once the cinnamon sugar layer is done, pour in the remaining cake batter. This part can get a little tricky, so I generally spoon the batter across the top in small amounts.
- Once all the cake batter is poured, spread it evenly using a spatula. Sprinkle a thick layer of the streusel topping over the cake batter. Make sure the streusel topping is cold so that it will bake crisp. Bake in the oven for 50-60 minutes. Check to see if the cake is fully baked by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, remove it from the oven. If not, bake it for an additional 5-10 minutes or until inserting a toothpick into the center comes out clean.
- Let the crumb cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Then carefully lift the cake out of the pan, and let it cool completely on a cooling rack. Cut the cake with a knife into 9 pieces, and serve or store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.
Notes
Nutrition
This best vegan coffee cake recipe was inspired by Vegan Baking Made Simple by Saloni Mehta. Reprinted with permission from Vegan Baking Made Simple by Saloni Mehta. Page Street Publishing Co. 2023. Special thanks to our recipe testers Elana Segal and Margo Henderson!
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Leave a Comment
I love how easy to make this recipe. I made this as a gift for my friend’s birthday she likes it. Everyone likes it!
Great recipe. Love the cinnamon flavors and crunchy topping. This is a keeper for my family!
So yummy!
My favorite vegan dessert of all time…and the perfect pairing with a hot cup of tea with lemon. I adore this recipe!
Vegan coffee cake sounds amazing! Love that there are plant-based options for classic treats like this. Bet it’s perfect with a cozy cup of coffee or tea. Thanks for sharing the recipe inspiration!
Buttery and moist..delicious with coffee.
This turned out absolutely delicious! Such a great breakfast treat.
I made this for my book club & everyone loved it. I will definitely be making it again!
Wow! This cake looks delicious and easy to make. I can’t wait to make this at home!
I’ve been looking for a good vegan coffee cake recipe! Going to give yours a go, thank you!
One of my all-time favorite desserts! I LOVE this vegan coffee cake recipe. It’s crumbly, sweet, rich, and decadent. Perfect for pairing with a hot cup of coffee.