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A slice of crumb cake on a white plate with a fork beside it, placed on a marble countertop. A baking dish with more crumb cake is visible in the background.

This gluten-free cinnamon coffee cake was inspired by a blueberry buckle cake my mother use to make. The tenderness of the cake, the sweetness of the blueberries, and the crunch of the crumble was a perfect trio so of course I needed to make a gluten version. And once I did, the snowball kept rolling and I wanted to make a decadent coffee cake. A perfect dessert for all those spring gatherings, or breakfast cake for brunches! Next on the docket: gluten-free blueberry coffee cake!

Why You Will Love This Recipe:

This gluten-free coffee cake is everything you want in a cozy homemade bake — soft, buttery, and layered with warm cinnamon flavor in every bite. The tender cake crumb makes a perfectly moist cake thanks to the Greek yogurt and buttermilk, while the cinnamon swirl adds that classic bakery-style touch.

The buttery crumble topping bakes up golden and crisp, giving each slice the perfect sweet crunch. Best of all, it’s made with simple pantry staples and comes together easily, making it perfect for specials events, slow mornings, weekend brunch, or an afternoon treat with coffee.

This is such an easy recipe, made with simple ingredients, that comes together quickly and only requires a 8×8 or 9×9 pan! Though you could go fancy and bake in a bundt pan! Even those who don’t eat gluten-free will love this recipe because it tastes just like the classic coffee cake everyone grew up with.

A slice of crumb cake on a decorative plate with a fork, next to a baking dish containing more crumb cake, all placed on a marble countertop.

Ingredients:

Crumble Topping

½ cup packed light brown sugar – Adds rich sweetness and a classic coffee cake crumble flavor. You could substitute with coconut sugar.
½ cup gluten-free all-purpose flour – Use a 1:1 blend that contains xanthan gum for best texture
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – Gives the topping that warm, cozy cinnamon flavor
¼ cup salted butter, cold and cubed – Cold butter helps create those perfect pea-sized crumbs

Coffee Cake Batter

2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour – Use a quality cup-for-cup flour blend with xanthan gum included. If you use a gluten free flour without xanthan gum, add 1/4 tsp xanthan gum to the dry ingredients. My go-to for gluten-free flours is Arrowhead Mills 1 to 1.
¾ cup granulated sugar – Sweetens the cake without overpowering the cinnamon swirl. You could substitute with coconut sugar.
1 teaspoon baking powder – Helps the cake rise and stay fluffy
½ teaspoon baking soda – Works with the yogurt and buttermilk for extra lift
½ teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor
½ cup salted butter, cold and cubed – Cut into the dry ingredients for a tender, buttery crumb
2 large eggs, room temperature – Helps bind the batter and create structure
½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream – Keeps the cake extra moist and rich
½ cup buttermilk, room temperature – Adds tenderness and a slight tang
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract – Adds warm bakery-style flavor

Cinnamon Swirl

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg – Adds a subtle warm spice that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon

A slice of crumb cake on a decorative plate, placed on a wooden table with a fork beside it.

Instructions:

Prepare the crumble topping:
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, gluten-free flour, and cinnamon. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips to work the butter into the mixture until small pea-sized crumbs form. Be careful not to overwork it—you want a crumbly texture for the perfect streusel topping. Place the bowl in the refrigerator while you prepare the batter to keep the butter cold.
Prepare the baking pan and oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix the dry ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
Cut in the butter:
Add the cold cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingers, gently rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse sand with no large pieces of butter remaining. This step helps create a tender, buttery crumb.
Mix the wet ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, Greek yogurt, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined.
Combine wet and dry ingredients:
Add the wet ingredients to the large bowl of flour mixture in three increments, stirring gently after each addition until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this helps keep the cake soft and fluffy.
Create the cinnamon swirl batter:
Scoop out 1 cup of the batter into a separate small bowl. Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg until evenly mixed.
Assemble the coffee cake:
Spread the plain batter evenly into the prepared 8×8 pan. Spoon the spiced batter over the top in dollops. Use a butter knife or skewer to gently swirl the cinnamon batter throughout the cake, creating a marbled effect.
Add the crumb topping:
Remove the chilled crumble from the refrigerator and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the batter, covering the entire surface. Let the cake sit for 20 minutes to let the activators get moving!
Baking Time:
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Cool and serve:
Let the coffee cake cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature with a hot cup of coffee or a decadent . Store any leftovers in an airtight container!

A slice of crumb cake on a decorative plate with a fork, sitting next to a baking pan of the cake on a marble countertop.

Perfect Pairings:

This coffee cake pairs beautifully with:

A hot cup of freshly brewed morning coffee or cold brew
A cozy chai latte or cinnamon tea
Fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries
A dollop of whipped cream for a dessert-style serving
Scrambled eggs and fruit for an easy brunch spread
A drizzle of simple vanilla glaze for extra sweetness

It’s especially perfect for holiday mornings, brunch gatherings, baby showers, or weekend baking days.

A close-up of a crumbly dessert in a baking dish next to a plate with a piece of the dessert, placed on a marble surface.

Tips and Tricks:

Use a quality gluten-free flour blend:
For the best texture and best results, use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that already contains xanthan gum. This helps the cake hold together and gives it a soft, tender crumb.
Keep the butter cold:
Cold butter is key for both the crumble topping and the cake batter. It creates that classic buttery streusel texture and helps give the cake a delicate crumb.
Don’t overmix the batter:
Once the wet ingredients are added, stir just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make gluten-free baked goods dense instead of light and fluffy. We want that perfect crumb and perfect texture!
Swirl gently:
When adding the cinnamon batter, use a butter knife to make a few gentle swirls. Too much swirling can muddy the layers instead of creating a beautiful marbled effect.
Line your pan with parchment paper:
This makes it much easier to lift the cake out and slice clean squares, especially if serving for brunch or a gathering.
Check for doneness early:
Every oven bakes a little differently, so start checking around 35 minutes. The top should be golden and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing:
Allow the coffee cake to rest for 10–15 minutes after baking. This helps it set and keeps the slices from falling apart.
Make it extra special:
For a bakery-style finish, drizzle the cooled cake with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and a splash of vanilla.

Check out the recipe card below for this delicious gluten-free coffee cake recipe!

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Gluten Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe | Easy Recipe

This gluten-free coffee cake is soft, moist, and swirled with warm cinnamon spice, then topped with a buttery crumble topping that bakes up perfectly golden. It’s an easy crowd-pleasing recipe that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

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