Gluten-Free Coffee Cake

This gluten-free coffee cake recipe so easy to make and such a perfect breakfast or brunch recipe on the weekend. Serve a big slice with a hot cup of coffee for a breakfast treat!
A slice of gluten-free cinnamon coffee cake on a small plate.
A slice of gluten-free cinnamon coffee cake on a small plate.

Why this recipe works

This gluten free coffee cake with cinnamon streusel topping is super simple to throw together. If you need a delicious make-ahead recipe, it makes an amazing breakfast or brunch for entertaining. Perfect for serving with a cup of coffee!

While there are a few different parts to this recipe — the coffee cake, streusel crumb topping, cinnamon sugar swirl, and glaze — they are all very quick to make. The step-by-step instructions and photos will help you make this recipe perfectly every time!

While you could leave the cinnamon sugar swirl or glaze out of this recipe and still have a delicious coffee cake, they take this recipe to the next level for a special treat!

Ingredients

Ingredients for making gluten-free coffee cake with cinnamon streusel.

Ingredient Notes

  • gluten-free flour blend – I used Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking flour in this recipe. It already contains xantham gum. I have not tested this recipe with other gluten-free flour blends, but be sure to use a gluten-free flour that is meant to be a 1-to-1 swap with all-purpose flour.
  • xanthan gum – If your gluten-free flour blend does not already contain xanthan gum, you will want to add it to this recipe. I’ve noted how much to add in the recipe instructions below.
  • butter – Use unsalted butter in this recipe so you can control the amount of salt added. You’ll need cold cubed butter for the streusel and room temperature butter for the batter.
  • egg – I used a large egg for this recipe that is 50g when weighed.
  • milk – I used whole milk, but 2% or 1% would work fine in this recipe.
  • sour cream – The moisture and tangy flavor come from the sour cream. Sour cream boasts a higher fat content in comparison to whole milk, giving an extra dose of richness to the coffee cake.

Step-by-Step instructions

This gluten free cinnamon coffee cake is really easy to make. While it does have a few components, each of the steps are very simple. The below photos and matching steps are meant to help you see the recipe being made at various stages.

Pay special attention to the butter in the streusel topping, the thickness of the coffee cake batter, and the fluffiness of the coffee cake when it comes out of the oven.

For the ingredient list with measurements, full instructions, printable recipe, and additional notes, please scroll down to the recipe card.

A glass mixing bowl with brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter mixed together to make a streusel.
Make the gluten-free streusel by mixing together the gluten-free flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and cold butter. You want a mix of small and big pieces of butter, about the size of a pea.
A small bowl of brown sugar and cinnamon before mixing together.
Make the brown sugar cinnamon mixture by combining the brown sugar and cinnamon.
A glass mixing bowl with a creamed butter and sugar mixture.
Add the butter and granulated sugar to a large bowl. Cream for 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
A glass mixing bowl with sour cream, eggs, vanilla, and a creamed sugar and butter mixture.
Add the sour cream, eggs, vanilla, and milk. Mix until combined and smooth.
A glass mixing bowl with gluten-free flour on top of wet ingredients to make coffee cake.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir until no streaks of flour remain.
A square baking dish of coffee cake batter that has been spread evenly in the pan.
Add half of the batter to a 8×8-inch baking dish that is lined with parchment paper.
A white baking dish with coffee cake batter topped with streusel before baking in the oven.
Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top. Spread the remaining batter over the sugar mixture. Top with gluten-free streusel.
A square baking dish filled with a gluten-free coffee cake with streusel.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
A spoon drizzling a powdered sugar glaze over a gluten-free coffee cake.
Make the glaze by mixing together powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over the coffee cake.
A close up of a gluten-free coffee cake with a powdered sugar glazed drizzled over the top.
Let the glaze set completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

  • I like to line my baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal of the coffee cake from the pan after baking. You can grab the parchment paper by the sides and lift it up and out of the baking pan for slicing. It also makes for easy cleanup!
  • Use an offset spatula to carefully spread the top layer of cake batter over the cinnamon sugar filling. It’s okay if some of the filling gets mixed into the batter, but if you want a clean and visible cinnamon sugar layer, slowly spread the batter.

Recipe FAQs

Is there coffee in coffee cake?

No, there is actually no coffee in coffee cake! Coffee cake got its name since it’s great served with a hot cup of coffee.

What is the best gluten-free flour blend to use in this recipe?

I used Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour in this recipe. I’ve found King Arthur Baking Company Gluten Free Multi-Purpose Flour works well in this recipe, too! Use a flour blend that is meant to be swapped 1-to-1 with all-purpose flour. Flours like almond flour or coconut flour have not been tested in this recipe.

Do I need to add xanthan gum?

If your gluten-free flour blend does not already contain xanthan gum, you will need to add it to your recipe. Xanthan gum provides elasticity in gluten-free baked goods, essentially acting as gluten does providing struction and acting as a binder.

Can I make coffee cake ahead of time?

You can make the glaze and streusel ahead of time. Just store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

How do you store gluten-free coffee cake?

This gluten-free coffee cake will keep at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I like to warm mine slightly before serving.

Overhead photo of coffee cake with glaze in a square baking dish with a cup of coffee and flowers.

Did you make this recipe?

I’d love to know! Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also share your pictures and tag @adashofmegnut on Instagram.

A slice of gluten-free cinnamon coffee cake on a small plate.

Gluten Free Coffee Cake

This gluten-free coffee cake recipe so easy to make and such a perfect breakfast or brunch recipe on the weekend. Serve a big slice with a hot cup of coffee for a breakfast treat!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Cooling Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 301kcal
Author: Megan

Ingredients

Streusel Topping:

  • 1/4 cup gluten free flour blend (36g)
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar (66g)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 Tablespoon butter (very cold and cubed (28g))

Cinnamon Swirl:

  • 1/3 cup brown sugar (66g)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Coffee Cake:

  • 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour blend (216g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (if your blend does not already contain it)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter (room temperature (113g))
  • 3/4 cup white granulated sugar (150g)
  • 1 large egg (room temperature (50g))
  • 3/4 cup sour cream (180g)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla

Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (105g)
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray or line with parchment and set aside.
  • To prepare the streusel topping, mix together the gluten-free flour blend, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Cut in the cold butter to the flour mixture, until the butter pieces are coated with flour and you have some pieces the size of peas. Set aside.
  • For the cinnamon swirl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon until combined. Set aside.
  • To make the cake, add the gluten-free flour blend, xanthan gum (if using), baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a large bowl. Whisk until combined.
  • Place the butter and granulated sugar in a separate mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer and beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the eggs, sour cream, milk and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined and no more streaks of flour remain.
  • Spoon half of the batter into the prepared baking dish. Smooth with a spatula.
  • Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the batter.
  • Cover the cinnamon sugar with the remaining batter. Spread with a spatula, being careful not to disturb the sugar.
  • Sprinkle the gluten-free streusel over the batter.
  • Bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes, or until the cake is a light golden brown and when a toothpick is inserted into the center it comes out clean.
  • Let the coffee cake cool completely.
  • Prepare the glaze by adding the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of the milk, and vanilla extract to a small bowl. Whisk until combined. If the glaze is too thick add more milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
  • Drizzle the glaze over the coffee cake and allow to set before serving.

Notes

  • I used Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour in this recipe.
  • If your gluten-free flour blend does not already contain xanthan gum, you will need to add it to your recipe. Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour already contains xanthan gum. 
  • Use an offset spatula to carefully spread the top layer of cake batter over the cinnamon sugar filling. It’s okay if some of the filling gets mixed into the batter, but if you want a nice cinnamon sugar layer, slowly spread the batter.
  • This gluten-free coffee cake will keep at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 424IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ADashofMegnut or tag #adashofmegnut!
about megan

I’m Megan

A gluten-free food blogger from Chicago and lover of all things food, showing you gluten-free can be easy and delicious, too. Let’s make gluten-free stress free together! Read more…

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4 Comments

  1. MadelineHatim says:

    Can you show recipes for gluten free coffee cake that doesn’t have so much sugar or natural sugar substitute as an alternative.

    1. Hi Madeline, I don’t have low sugar or natural sugar baking recipes on my site, just gluten-free. However, I have heard great things about Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener being a good 1-for-1 substitution for granulated sugar. You could skip the cinnamon sugar filling or the streusel topping to cut back on the sugar as well or use coconut sugar in those parts. You may also want to check out the Minimalist Baker who has a gluten-free coffee cake recipe that uses natural sugars. Hope this helps!

  2. Do you think it would work to substitute almond milk yogurt for the sour cream?

    1. Hi Beth, The sour cream gives the coffee cake some tanginess, which you’ll be missing from the almond milk yogurt, but it should still work. Try to go for a thicker yogurt that has the consistency of sour cream. There are also vegan sour creams on the market that work quite well in baking, too.