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You are here: Home / Course / Breakfast / Extra Moist Gluten-Free Coffee Cake

Extra Moist Gluten-Free Coffee Cake

By: Melissa Erdelac · On: March 4, 2020 · Updated: November 30, 2022

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gluten-free coffee cake pinterest pin

The best gluten-free coffee cake recipe has a thick layer of cinnamon streusel crumb topping drizzled with vanilla glaze. This homemade, easy recipe is made with sour cream for extra tender crumb and old fashioned taste! 

a slice of gluten-free coffee cake with frosting on top dripping down

Best Recipe for Gluten Free Coffee Cake!

This gluten-free coffee cake mimics an ultra moist New-York style recipe with a thick cinnamon streusel topping. Thanks to utilizing some of these easy gluten-free baking tips, it has a taste and texture so divine, no one will know it’s gluten-free!

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The tender, buttery cake layer gets its moist crumb from sour cream being added to the batter. Adding an egg yolk to the thick cinnamon crumb topping prevents it from becoming dry and sandy, which most gluten-free coffee cake recipes suffer from.

To take this recipe to the next level, a vanilla glaze coats the streusel topping. Just like in gluten-free apple muffins recipe, the frosting holds the crumb topping in place for cutting and serving and transforms streusel pieces into decadent, sweet nuggets.

If you are ready to take your gluten-free breakfast to the next level, this is a must-try recipe!

Ingredient notes and substitutions 

  • Gluten-free flour – I recommend using Cup4Cup gluten-free all purpose flour for this recipe, which I used exclusively in my gluten-free cookbook and for baking recipes on the website.
  • Butter – For a dairy-free recipe replace with vegan butter sticks, such as Earth Balance
  • Sugar – A combination of light brown sugar and granulated sugar gives structure and a hint of caramel flavor
  • Eggs – An extra egg yolk in the crumb topping and cake gives a boost of moisture to the GF starches and helps with binding
  • Sour Cream – Brings an extra layer of moistness to the cake and adds a hint of buttermilk tang. Using sour cream in GF baked goods helps add moisture without over saturating the crumb with gumminess. This trick can be used in other foolproof recipes, like gluten-free apple scones. Dairy-free sour cream or yogurt may be substituted.

How to Make Gluten Free Coffee Cake 

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to get cinnamon crumb cake fix, this recipe for gluten-free cinnamon coffee cake is made for you! With layers of moist, tender cake, crumble topping, and extra gooey glaze, you can’t go wrong!

(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)

images showing to make gluten-free coffee cake
images showing crumb topping and glaze for top
  1. First prepare the crumb topping by whisking together sugar, brown sugar, egg yolk, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the warm, melted butter and flour. Set aside.
  2. Next prepare the coffee cake mixture by whisking together the dry ingredients – gluten-free flour blend, baking soda, and, in a large bowl. Add the room temperature butter pieces and beat together until fine crumbs form.
  3. Mix in the wet ingredients – sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract. Pour the coffee cake batter into a greased 8 inch square baking dish in an even layer.
  4. Break off the streusel crumb topping and scatter over the top. Use a knife to swirl the topping gently into the batter. Bake in 325ºF preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.
  5. While the cake cools mix together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Drizzle on the warm coffee cake and let stand at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

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recommended Gluten-Free Flour

These are certain brands I find work the most consistently and have the best taste. They all contain xanthan gum, so it doesn’t need to be added to the dry ingredients.

If you’d like to learn more about gluten-free flours and taste test comparisons, check out the Best Gluten-Free Flour Guide!

  • Cup 4 Cup Gluten-Free Flour – This is the brand I primarily use because any gluten-free taste or difference in texture is undetectable. However, it is slightly more expensive and contains milk powder, so it is not dairy-free.
  • King Arthur Measure-for-Measure Gluten-Free Flour – This version in newer on the market and has performed well in my baking tests. It’s more affordable, but I do detect a slightly gritty flavor in baked goods. However, it does not contain dairy.

Dairy-Free modification

If you are in need of a dairy-free recipe, this gluten-free crumb cake can easily be adapted. Replace the sour cream with a dairy-free sour cream.

Substitute dairy-free butter, such as Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks. Since this butter is salted, omit the salt from the cake and crumb ingredients.

a slice of coffee cake face up in the baking pan with other slices

best baking pan to use

Use an 8 inch square baking pan for this recipe. A 9 inch square pan, 11X7 inch rectangle pan, or 9 inch cake pan may also be used, but the baking time will be reduced. Start checking with a toothpick inserted into the middle after 35 minutes.

This recipe may also be doubled and baked in a 9X13 inch pan. Keep the crumb topping ingredients amounts the same for a thinner streusel layer or double, along with cake ingredients.

coffee cake variations

Use this recipe to make many different gluten-free coffee cake recipes! Try some of the suggested additions below.

  • Blueberry – Mix 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries or mixed berries into the cake batter.
  • Walnut Crumb Cake – Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumb topping ingredients.
  • Apple Cinnamon– Toss 1 cup peeled, chopped apples with cinnamon. Sprinkle on cake batter, top with crumb topping, and bake. Since the apples add extra moisture, the baking time may increase slightly.
  • Follow Gluten–Free Cinnamon Bread recipe for a swirl quick bread with streusel topping!

storing and freezing tips

Store in an airtight container for up to three days. However, I find gluten-free baked goods don’t stay fresh very long, so I always freeze leftovers if they aren’t eaten that day.

Freeze whole and unsliced or wrapped up in individual pieces up to 3 months, wrapped well, or in an airtight container.

Refrigerating the coffee cake, especially gluten-free versions, will dry it out. Simply cover the pan securely with foil and leave on the counter 2-3 days.

Click here to see the
step-by-step web story instructions for this recipe
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More Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes 

  • Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls
  • Easy Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy
  • Oat Groats
  • Gluten Free Banana Muffins
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a slice of gluten-free coffee cake with frosting on top dripping down

Extra Moist Gluten-Free Coffee Cake

The best Gluten-Free Coffee Cake recipe has a thick layer of cinnamon streusel crumb topping drizzled with vanilla glaze. This homemade, easy recipe is made with sour cream for extra tender crumb and old fashioned taste! 
4.59 from 29 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour
Servings: 9
Author: Melissa Erdelac

Ingredients

Crumb Topping

  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup light or dark brown sugar
  • 1 egg yolk, room temperature
  • ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and warm
  • 1 ¼ cups all purpose gluten-free flour, (I use and recommend Cup 4 Cup)

Coffee Cake

  • 1 ⅓ cups all purpose gluten-free flour, (I use and recommend Cup 4 Cup)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces and softened
  • ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
  • 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Vanilla Glaze

  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
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Instructions

Crumb Topping

  • In a medium bowl whisk together sugar, brown sugar, egg yolk, cinnamon, and salt. Add melted, warm butter and whisk to combine.
  • Stir in flour until no flour pockets remain and it becomes a thick dough. Set aside.

Coffee Cake

  • Adjust oven rack to UPPER MIDDLE POSITION and preheat oven to 325°F. Spray a 8X8 inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  • In a large bowl or stand mixer, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt on low speed to combine. Add butter, a tablespoon at a time, and mix until crumbs form with no large pieces of butter visible.
  • Add sour cream, whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed until well combined and batter is light and fluffy.
  • Spread cake batter evenly in prepared pan. Break crumb topping pieces off in pea-sized pieces and sprinkle evenly over batter. Use a knife to slightly swirl the crumb topping down into the cake. Use your hand to gently press the crumb topping on top.
  • Bake for 45-55 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Use a toothpick inserted down into the cake to check if it comes out clean. Since the cake portion is far down, make sure you are testing the cake and not the crumb topping.
  • Cool on wire rack and meanwhile prepare the glaze frosting. The glaze can be drizzled on while the cake is warm, but wait at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Vanilla Glaze

  • In a small bowl combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth and no lumps remain. If glaze is too thick for pouring on, add a tiny dash of milk and check again.
  • Drizzle glaze over the crumb topping and let stand for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
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Recipe Notes

 
Dairy-Free Adaptation
  • Replace the sour cream with dairy-free sour cream.
  • Substitute dairy free butter, such as Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks for the butter.
  • Since this dairy free butter is salted, omit the salt from the cake and crumb ingredients.
 
Storing / Freezing
Store in an airtight container for up to three days. However, I find gluten-free baked goods don’t stay fresh very long, so I always freeze leftovers.
It may be frozen whole and unsliced or wrapped up in individual pieces. Freeze up to 3 months, wrapped well, or in an airtight container.
Refrigerating the coffee cake, especially gluten free versions, will dry it out. Simply cover the pan securely with foil and leave on the counter 2-3 days. 
 
Modifications:
  • Gluten Free Blueberry Coffee Cake – Mix 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries or mixed berries into the cake batter.
  • Walnut Crumb Cake – Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumb topping ingredients.
  • Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake – Toss 1 cup peeled, chopped apples with cinnamon. Sprinkle on cake batter, top with crumb topping, and bake. Since the apples add extra moisture, the baking time may increase slightly. 
 
Recipe adapted from America’s Test Kitchen: How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook

Nutrition

Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 128mg | Sodium: 334mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 698IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Breakfast
Categories: Baking Breakfast Cakes Christmas Desserts Easter Fall Freezer-Friendly Gluten Free Holidays Mother’s Day Recipes Spring Summer Vegetarian Winter

This post contains affiliate links. My opinions are always my own. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I make a small commission – at no cost to you. Read full disclosure policy here.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jan Federowicz says

    August 1, 2023 at 12:54 AM

    This recipe was a big hit with the parents at my grandson’s birthday party. I did make a couple adjustments. added almond extract with the vanilla extract and a small amount of cinnamon to the cake batter.

    Reply
    • Melissa Erdelac says

      August 1, 2023 at 12:12 PM

      Sounds amazing, Jan! I’m so glad everyone loved it at the party. Thanks for taking the time to let me know!
      Best,
      Melissa

      Reply
  2. Megan McKnight says

    December 14, 2022 at 12:57 PM

    Hi, this looks like exactly what I’m looking to make for our Christmas morning breakfast! If I want to make this the day before, and have it warmed up a bit the morning of, any recommendations?

    Reply
    • Melissa Erdelac says

      December 14, 2022 at 1:20 PM

      Hi Megan,
      This would be perfect on Christmas morning! I would make it the day before (no earlier unless you want to freeze it) and cool completely. Do not add the frosting on yet. Cover securely with a thick layer of foil (making sure it is COMPLETELY COOLED for several hours). In the morning, place it in a 350 oven, still covered with foil, for 10-15 minutes or until slightly warmed. Add the frosting and serve!
      Best,
      Melissa

      Reply
  3. David says

    August 15, 2020 at 9:48 AM

    Looking to make this today, but you have salt listed twice under the main cake ingredients. Please clarify. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      August 15, 2020 at 9:54 AM

      Hi David,
      Thanks for pointing that out. My bad! It should only be 1/4 teaspoon salt. Enjoy!

      Reply

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Hey! I’m Melissa,  mother of 4, who loves to make soul-warming comfort food that keeps the taste, but takes out the fuss. My family-friendly recipes are deceptively gluten free, using simple grocery store ingredients that appeal to all food lovers.

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