Fresh cup of coffee in the morning with a sweet slice of cake? Can't be beat! This post will show you how to make a delicious and healthy coffee cake. It's fluffy, moist, and oh so satisfying!
I will never forget the first time I tasted a homemade slice. It was at my friend's house for an afternoon hangout when she served it up. To tell you the truth, I was pretty much raving about it the entire 3 hours we spent together! And I'm generally a little more conservative with my praise.
So I got the recipe and made a few healthy adjustments. The recipe you'll be making turns out soft, moist and has a delicious buttery and vanilla flavor. It's amaze! Just like my Healthy Carrot Cake Recipe.
If you've only ever tried store-bought coffee cake...I'm SO excited for you to try this. It's not overly sweet and contains no weird additives. None! Zero. Keep reading to learn all about coffee cake and how to make it!
Is Coffee Cake Unhealthy?
Store-bought, prepackaged coffee cakes tend to contain high amounts of sugar, trans fats, and additives (like corn syrup, artificial flavoring and even some food coloring.)
No thanks! We're making a healthy coffee cake that couldn't be more different. It's made with just 7 ingredients and features a delicious homemade streusel topping with just 5 ingredients.
Healthy coffee cake pairs best with healthy coffee!
Does It Really Contain Coffee?
Funny thing is, coffee cake doesn't contain any coffee or caffeine. Like at all! Traditional American coffee cake is basically a sweet pound cake made with brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. The reason is has a name like this is because it wonderfully pairs with coffee (or a foamy latte). That's what the Germans did! Which is where the cake originates.
When Is The Best Time To Eat Coffee Cake?
Coffee cake is, as my friends would say, a "brunch basic." It's not overly sweet, and dense enough to get you through the afternoon. But rules are made to be broken and there's no set time to have coffee cake. It's best when you say it's best!
Midnight snack? OK! Personally, I like to eat my coffee cake in the morning with a hot cup of good quality coffee. Or in the afternoon with my second cup...
What Makes This Coffee Cake Recipe Healthy?
Unlike the usual coffee cake recipes I’ve tried in my lifetime, this one makes use of healthy ingredients that are optimized to keep you faithful to your clean-eating lifestyle! Here's what we're working with:
- Whole wheat pastry flour
As y'all know I prefer to use whole wheat flour because it contains more fiber. Don't believe me? check out my blog post on The 9 Best Flour Substitutes. Studies show that fiber is good for your body as it prevents constipation, helps moderate blood sugar levels, and aids in weight loss.
- Coconut sugar
Yeah, you can actually make sugar out of coconuts! Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than highly processed sugar.
- Ground cinnamon
Big flavor right here -- plus it will make the cake tastes more sweet. If you want more recipes with cinnamon, check out my classic Healthy Cinnamon Rolls!
- Coconut oil
I love using coconut oil for baking. It works perfectly as a replacement for vegetable oil. That's why I incorporate it into recipes like my 5-ingredient coconut oil pie crush recipe and healthy banana chocolate chip muffins.
- Almond milk
Out of all plant-based milk, almond milk is my go-to. Not to mention it is also dairy-free, lactose-free, and vegan.
How Do I Keep My Coffee Cake Moist?
A fail-proof way to keep you coffee cake moist is to store it in an airtight container. It'll be moist for two days at room temperature. Before you do this, just make sure that the cake has completely cooled.
Another technique does the opposite. You actually wrap it up in a layer of plastic and then a layer of foil when it's still warm. Then pop it in the freezer overnight. The trapped warmth will moisten the cake overnight without getting soggy.
Can I Freeze a Coffee Cake?
You can absolutely freeze a coffee cake. Simply wrap it in plastic and store it in an airtight container. When stored like this, coffee cake can remain in the freezer up to 3 months.
When you're ready to enjoy a slice, remove it from the freezer and place it on a baking sheet (lined with foil). The oven is not yet preheated. Set it to 250 degrees and as the oven warms, so will your cake! Bake it about 6-10 minutes, or until warm.
What Is The Best Way To Enjoy This Healthy Coffee Cake?
This best way to enjoy my healthy coffee cake recipe is with a tall cup of coffee. But that's just me! You can enjoy it with a healthy latte or warm cup of tea. With friends or solo, cozied up with book. Wherever you find yourself with you coffee cake, I do hope you enjoy.
More Healthy Cakes
Cake can be healthy and I'm grateful for this fact every day. Here's some of my other faves.
- Healthy Carrot Cake
- Healthy Carrot Cake Cupcakes | With Sweet Greek Yogurt Frosting
- No Bake Cherry Vegan Cheesecake
- Healthy No Bake Cheesecake
This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.
Healthy Coffee Cake
*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Ingredients
For the Streusel:
- ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour (can sub whole wheat flour or spelt flour)
- ½ cup coconut sugar divided
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tbsp coconut oil cold/hardened coconut oil that has been chopped into small pieces
For The Coffee Cake:
- 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (can sub whole wheat flour or spelt flour)
- 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
- 2 eggs beaten
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoon coconut oil melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and sea salt. Mix in the hardened chopped coconut oil, and then set aside (this will be the streusel that will go in the center and on top of the cake).
- Grease and lightly flour a 9-in cake pan (I use a spring-form pan).
- Combine the ingredients for the coffee cake in a large mixing bowl, Be careful not to over-stir, just stir until the flour is incorporated.
- Pour ½ of the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread to coat the bottom of the pan with a knife or spoon. Sprinkle about 1 cup of the streusel (coconut sugar mixture) over the cake layer. Spoon the rest of the cake batter over the streusel, spreading out if necessary to cover the entire layer. This can get a little messy and doesn’t need to be perfect.
- Sprinkle the remaining streusel over the top of the cake.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and place onto cooling rack until room temperature.
Dustin
Such a great coffee cake.
Wania A
For the streusel, do I use the 1/4 tsp salt or the 1 tsp salt?
Veronique Orlet
It looks good but what happened to the 5 tbs of cold butter? I just don't see it in the recipe. Does it get cut with the cinnamon streusel mix?
Thanks!
Elyssa
I believe the cold butter is for greasing the pan!
Lacey Baier
Thanks, Elyssa - it was actually for the streusel topping. Sorry for not making that clear :/
Lacey Baier
Whoops! Yes, that's exactly what happens to that butter. Thanks for pointing out - I updated the recipe now 🙂
Anne
I am a coffee cake addict, but I have yet to find the perfect recipe--simple to make, but delicious. This looks like the one! I've got it on my make-soon list, and I've pinned it for future reference, too. Thanks!
Lacey Baier
Oh, I am so excited for you to try this recipe, Anne! Please let me know what you think!!
Mia Macke
Just wanted to say I finished making this cake about 20 minutes ago and my family already devoured post of it. Thanks so much for another delicious recipe. Your hoagie roll recipe is the best and only one I use anymore 🙂
Lacey Baier
Ha! That happens when we make it in our house, too! So yummy. Thanks for sharing, Mia. I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe and the hoagie roll recipe as well.
Faith
Hi, this recipe looks gorgeous! I can't wait to try it (gluten free for me though, which is never quite as good, but cake is cake!!).
Discovered your site earlier today, when I made your green beams with garlic & Parmesan as part of dinner (grilled chicken, green beans, new potatoes and a poached egg - healthy & delicious!). Lots of 'yum yum' noises heard round the table in our house for the beans, so thank you so much! x
Jan W
Hey so glad to see you back, this looks like I better try it! Thank you!