Vegan Coffee Cake
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Published Mar 24, 2021, Updated Mar 22, 2023
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This vegan coffee cake is made with coconut milk yogurt, whole wheat flour and coconut sugar. It’s lightened up, but still absolutely delicious.
I am so excited about this vegan coffee cake recipe!
I love experimenting in the kitchen and have been dreaming about hosting people for brunch again. One day, we’ll all be able to gather around the table and this coffee cake will definitely be a part of the spread!
The reason I’m so pumped about this vegan coffee cake is because it tastes like traditional coffee cake, but is made with healthier ingredients like coconut milk yogurt, whole wheat flour and coconut sugar. Don’t worry, no one will know this is “healthy”… we’re just sneaking the nutrition in!
Vegan Coffee Cake Ingredients
This is a vegan coffee cake recipe so instead of using butter, eggs and sour cream, we’re using a flaxseed egg, coconut oil and coconut milk yogurt. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- blend of all purpose flour and whole wheat flour – this blend creates a great texture with a little more nutrition. If needed, you can omit the whole wheat and just use all-purpose.
- baking powder and baking soda – these are the leavening agents that help the cake rise.
- salt – just a little bit.
- cinnamon – this spice is key for coffee cake. It’s used in the cake itself and the topping.
- coconut sugar – I love using coconut sugar because it’s a natural sugar with a bit more nutrition, but regular cane sugar works as well.
- coconut milk yogurt – I used Culina coconut milk yogurt but if you don’t need the recipe to be vegan, Greek yogurt will work.
- coconut oil – melted coconut oil replaces the butter in this recipe, but we’re only using a small amount!
- vanilla extract – another flavor enhancer.
- flaxseed egg – flaxseed eggs are easy to make by mixing 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water.
- chopped pecans – these add the perfect amount of crunch to the topping.
How to Make Vegan Coffee Cake
The process for making this coffee cake is relatively simple and comes together quickly. Here’s how to make it:
Make flaxseed egg – Start by making the flaxseed egg by mixing together the ground flaxseed with water. Set aside to let thicken.
Mix wet ingredients – Once the flaxseed egg has thickened, combine the flaxseed egg with the yogurt, coconut oil, sugar and vanilla extract.
Mix dry ingredients – In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture.
Make the cinnamon sugar topping – Combine the cane sugar, chopped pecans and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
Bake – Add the cake batter to a square baking pan lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top. Bake at 350ºF for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Can You Prep Ahead of Time?
Yes! This vegan coffee cake will hold up really well. I recommend baking the coffee cake according to the directions, let it cool completely and then store in an airtight container at room temperature until you’re ready to serve! It will last up to 5 days at room temperature, but you can also freeze for longer storage.
What to Serve with Coffee Cake
I am already dreaming up my epic brunch spread to pair with this coffee cake. Here’s what I’m thinking:
- Whipped Coffee – Definitely have to serve coffee cake with some sort of coffee to sip on and this whipped coffee is sooo good!
- Kale Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash – I always love having a green salad at brunch – this is the perfect salad packed with vegetables.
- Fruit Salad – Have to have fruit on the table too! I love this simple mixed berry fruit salad.
- Apple Cider Mimosas – To round out this special brunch, I’ll be serving these fun apple cider mimosas as well! I also have a regular mimosa recipe if that’s more your thing!
How to Store Leftover Coffee Cake
Store leftover coffee cake tightly wrapped in an airtight container. It will last several days at room temperature or freeze for longer storage.
More Tasty Baked Goods to Try
- Pumpkin Coffee Cake
- Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
- Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls
- Healthy Banana Bread
- Whole Wheat Honey Brown Bread
- Healthy Zucchini Bread
- Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread
- Healthy Low Sugar Pumpkin Bread
- Apple Cake
- Easy Berry Cake
- Oatmeal Carrot Cake
Be sure to check out all of the cake and cupcake recipes as well as the full collection of dessert recipes on EBF!
Vegan Coffee Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour, 162g
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 98g
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2/3 cup coconut sugar or regular cane sugar for lighter color
- 1 cup full fat coconut yogurt, I used Culina
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 flax egg, 1 Tablespoon ground flax + 3 Tablespoons water
- Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 1/3 cup cane sugar
- 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 8 square baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make flaxseed egg: combine ground flax with water. Let sit up for 5-10 minutes.
- Mix wet ingredients: Mix together flaxseed egg, yogurt, coconut oil, coconut sugar and vanilla.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
- Combine: Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture.
- Make topping: Combine all of the topping ingredients.
- Add to pan: Add cake batter to the prepared pan and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar topping.
- Bake: Bake the coffee cake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs sticking to it.
- Serve: Serve the cake warm or at room temperature. Wrap the completely cooled cake airtight, and store at room temperature for several days; freeze for longer storage.
Video
Notes
- Whole wheat flour: If needed, you can omit the whole wheat and just use all-purpose.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Is it possible to make this with coconut milk instead of coconut milk yogurt?
Hey Rosy – The coconut milk is going to add more liquid than the yogurt, so the cake might end up too wet.
Thanks..really appreciate the vegan recipes.
This looks so yummy! Is there a gluten free substitution for the flours? I’m newly gf and vegan, andI’m trying to learn how to bake all over again. I’m also new to your site and I’ve loved every single recipe I’ve tried. Thank you so much for all of your hard work to make and share these great dishes with us!!
I haven’t tried it, but I bet gluten-free all-purpose flour will work just fine! Let me know if you decide to try it and how it turns out!
I have flour that is half white and half whole wheat, can I use that flour? I love your recipes!
Thanks for sharing!
That should work just fine!! Definitely come back and let me know how it turns out for you if you make it. 🙂
Is this missing coffee or espresso powder? I feel like I see a bowl with dark brown powder but can’t identify it in the recipe?
There isn’t any coffee or espresso powder in this recipe. You’re probably looking at the coconut sugar.
I was expecting some coffee essence or espresso in it too, in Ireland coffee cake is coffee flavoured sandwich cake, with coffee buttercream & decorated with walnuts! I will try this as looks lush.. anything with pecans and cinnamon is really 😜
Let me know how it turns out, Leonie 🙂
Hi, question where does the 26 g of protein come from ？
Hey Sara! Thanks for the message. The nutrition info was actually off. It’s 26g of sugar and 5g or protein. I just updated it. Sorry about that!
I made the coffee cake – delicious! I couldn’t find a full fat coconut yogurt, so I used a vanilla bean flavor Greek yogurt in the recipe. Next time, I might try putting some of the sugar topping on the inside.
So glad you enjoyed this coffee cake! Thanks for making it and for the review, Patrise. I so appreciate it!
Probably silly question lol- but can I use a regular egg instead, or does it affect the recipe?
Can’t wait to make it this weekend! Thanks!!
I haven’t tried it, but I would assume that would be just fine!! Let me know how it turns out for you. 🙂
I have always been a such sucker for coffee cake. I made this today with a regular egg and full-fat greek yogurt and thought it was perfect. Thank you!
Oh yay!! So glad it turned out for you with the subs you made, Sarah. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!
So good! I actually made a few tweaks and it was still great!
I used 1/2 cup each white whole wheat, whole wheat and almond flour (tried to make it a little healthier), only used 1/2 cup of coconut sugar, and then only had Greek yogurt on hand, so used that instead of coconut yogurt. And for the topping I only did 2 tablespoons of coconut sugar with cinnamon and it was still so good!
I think I may have overbaked it some even at 26 minutes because it was a little dry so the NEXT time I make this, I’m going to bake it a little less. 🙂
Thanks for the recipe!
Glad you enjoyed this coffee cake, Carney! Thanks for making it and coming back to leave a review. It means the world to me!
The loaf was so nice!! I made it with an egg and gluten-free flour and it turned out really well 🙂 The smell in the house while baking was amazing too! Thanks!!
Woo!! I’m so glad this coffee cake was a hit, Maya! Thanks for the review. I really appreciate it!
Loved this recipe, especially the fact that it is vegan! I didn’t have coconut yoghurt so I instead used oat milk yoghurt and it turned out great!
Woo!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this coffee cake, Sezen! So glad to hear the oat milk worked for you. Thanks for the review. It means the world to me!
Is there no coffee in this coffee cake?
No! Coffee cake typically doesn’t actually have coffee in it! 🙂
Oh that’s interesting. In England it does mean coffee flavoured. Thank you will give this a try.
My mom and I have been making this every morning for breakfast these past few weeks because of how good it is! Thank you so much for the awesome recipe! I would love to see more vegan baked goods like this one using coconut yogurt! (:
So happy this vegan coffee cake has been a hit, Kris. Thanks for the review!
More sugar than I needed to put on top, but this turned out perfect. That was how ALL of my friends and family described it. Thank you!
I reduced sugar on top and used all whole wheat flour, and this was so good! Super light and fluffy, just like what I might get at a coffee shop!
Perfect! I am excited to hear that this recipe turned out great for you, Alissa. Thank you for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, I truly appreciate it!