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! 

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!

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.)

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.

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.

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!

More Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes 

• Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls
• Easy Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy
• Oat Groats
• Gluten Free Banana Muffins

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