Salted Caramel Coffee Cake (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free)

5 from 1 vote
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It’s almost Mother’s Day, and what better way to celebrate than with CAKE?!

And not just any cake, but coffee cake.

And not just any coffee cake, but SALTED CARAMEL coffee cake.

I’m crazy for this recipe, and so excited to share it with you.  It took me five rounds of testing to get it right, and right I did indeed get it (in my humble opinion.). Fluffy and tender inside with a crunchy crumble topping and a delicious 5 minute vegan caramel sauce drizzled on top.  How can that be bad?!

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coffee cake
coffee cake

I use gluten free, refined sugar free, and dairy free ingredients in this but have substitutions listed below you are sure to have on hand if you prefer to eat outside of these parameters.  Everyone can make this cake, and everyone should.

coffee cake

ingredients for salted caramel coffee cake:

Flour – I use King Arthur’s all purpose Gluten Free flour here.  I have tested this with various grain and nut flours and find that in order to get the fluffiness and rise that I NEED in a coffee cake, an all purpose flour is the best ingredient. Sugar – Coconut sugar gives you that caramel flavor profile in each part of this cake.  If you only have brown sugar, that can be substituted easily. Milk – Coconut milk is the base of this five minute, vegan caramel sauce that is really a game changer.  Make sure to use full fat for the thick cream it provides. Starch – I use arrowroot starch in the caramel sauce to thicken it up, but you can use cornstarch or tapioca starch too.  The starch is necessary to make the sauce bind together and give it that syrupy texture.
coffee cake

“what else can i use?

  • If you eat gluten, feel free to use good old all purpose flour here instead.  As I mentioned above, I wouldn’t suggest subbing in oat, almond, or other flours as I can’t confirm how well the cake will bake up for you.
  • I use unsweetened coconut yogurt in the batter, but any should work just fine.  No yogurt?  Try applesauce.
  • I call for walnuts in the crumble, as they are buttery and soft inside while still having that pleasant crunch, but almonds or pecans can be used.

I can’t wait to hear what you think of this recipe.  I love seeing your creations on Instagram, so tag me so I can re-share them!  I’ll be making this for Mother’s Day this weekend and for a long time to come.  Be sure to serve this to a hardworking mom this year, even if, and especially if, it’s yourself.

coffee cake
5 from 1 vote

Salted Caramel Coffee Cake

This healthier take on coffee cake is moist and fluffy with a cinnamon sugar crumble and addictive vegan caramel sauce. It must not be missed!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 9 servings

Equipment

  • 9×9 square baking dish

Ingredients 

For the cake:

  • 2 cups all purpose GF Flour Blend (such as King Arther)
  • 3/4 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut yogurt
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the crumb topping:

  • 1/3 cup all purpose GF flour blend
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil, room temperature

For the salted caramel glaze:

  • 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
  • 1 tsp arrowroot starch or cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Line a 9×9 square baking dish with parchment paper and spray with nonstick spray

Make the crumb topping:

  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, walnuts, and salt and mix briefly with a fork. Add the coconut oil and work it in with your fingers until small clumps form throughout, breaking up any large pieces of coconut oil. Refrigerate until ready to bake.

To make the cake:

  • In a large bowl, beat the coconut oil and coconut sugar together for 1 minute. I do this in a standing mixer, but you can do it in a large bowl by hand. Add the vanilla, yogurt, and egg and beat until smooth.
  • To the wet ingredients, add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until no clumps of flour remain.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  • Crumble the refrigerated topping over the batter evenly and bake for 30-40 minutes, until a tester comes out just clean. 35 minutes is perfect for me. The topping may look a bit wet in the middle, don't worry, it'll harden as it rests.
  • Set cake on a wire rack to cool and drizzle with salted caramel glaze when ready to serve.

Make the salted caramel glaze:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut milk and starch for 20 seconds until smooth.
  • Add this to a small saucepan along with the coconut sugar and salt and bring to a boil, whisking continuously. Continue to cook at a low boil, whisking throughout, for 3-5 minutes until the mixture coats the back of a spoon. Taste, and add more sugar or salt as desired.
  • Set aside the glaze as the cake bakes and drizzle when ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 461mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 9 servings
Calories: 405
Keyword: breakfast, brunch, coffee cake
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10 Comments

  1. Kat, I really like your dessert recipes but I don’t have several of the ingredients. We don’t live in the U.S., so foods you would get in a health food store are not available to me. If I use “regular” ingredients, will it change the recipe? Yes, I know it will change the nutritional components, but will the recipes still work? Will amounts still be the same?

    1. Hi Danna,
      You can absolutely switch out these ingredients for more traditional ones – regular all-purpose flour, brown sugar instead of coconut sugar (or a mix of granulated sugar and brown sugar if you prefer), a neutral oil.
      Let me know if you give it a try!
      Kat.

    1. I can’t wait for you to try this, Sarah! For that perfectly moist, delicious bite, and especially for a special occasion, I would make it the day before – just hold out on the glaze until you’re ready to serve. It will keep for around a week in an airtight container but like most baking, it’s always better to dig in sooner than later!
      Enjoy!
      Kat.

  2. 5 stars
    Kat! Long review alert; but first, the headlines- absolutely scrumptious. Yum. YUM. And this is with no glaze- just cake plus crumble.
    I am just so happy. I have IBS, so started baking.as else I need to deny myself good stuff and I love the good stuff.
    I live in India, so no Bob’s / King Arthur’s etc., I make this flour blend – https://www.fodmapeveryday.com/recipes/fodmap-everyday-all-purpose-low-fodmap-gluten-free-flour/ – and use it for all my cakes. I use regular (not sweet) rice flour and it works a treat. I’ve tried your Maialino cake, which was easy to make and good! Now this one, was a bit frazzle-y for a noob baker like me. First, I splattered the oil and sugar when I tried using my cake beater. Lesson- a strong wrist, 2 minutes, works better. Then, when I added yoghurt, the coconut oil solidified again. I put the bowl in the microwave for 20 secs. Lesson- ensure yoghurt is room temp and use a microwaveable mixing bowl anyway.
    I doubled the cinnamon, btw.
    It is such a special cake, maybe with some caramel or vanilla icecream for occasions? Thanks a whole lot!

    1. Anjali! You are an absolute gem – thank you so much for sharing this. I’m so glad you fell in love with this cake and that despite having to put on your baker hat, it sounds like you absolutely nailed it!
      Well done, enjoy every single bite.
      You deserve it!
      Kat.

  3. Can I make it without either the crumb topping or the glaze? Which one could I skip? Want to reduce effort and sugar..thank you.

    1. Hi Anjali,
      You can absolutely leave off either the crumb topping or the glaze – if I had to choose I’d leave off the glaze to cut back on effort. Let me know if you give it a try!
      Kat.

  4. How do I get these recipes? My daughter was diagnosed with gluten intolerance and I am looking for yummy stuff to eat!

    1. All of my recipes are gluten free so you’re in luck! They are right here for you, let me know if you have a specific recipe you’re having trouble finding!