Vegan Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

This vegan apple cinnamon coffee cake is the ultimate cozy treat, made with tender cake, juicy apples, warm cinnamon, and a buttery pecan crumble topping. Finished with a simple sweet glaze, it's an easy dairy-free and egg-free dessert that's perfect alongside a cup of coffee or tea!

OMG I took this cake to work last week and people are still talking about it! -Kayla

This is one of those cakes I could easily eat four pieces of and still want more! The sweet, buttery apple ribbon that cuts through the center is just the beginning of it's majesty.

The pecan crumble topping takes it to a completely different level! Make this cake and I promise you will be the most popular person wherever you go. Everyone loves an excuse to eat dessert for breakfast!

If you're looking for a more classic vegan coffee cake, this one from The Big Man's World is to die for!

Jump to:

• ingredients
• why you'll love this coffee cake
• how to make vegan apple cinnamon coffee cake (with pictures!)
• recipe tips
• how to keep coffee cake moist
• frequently asked questions
• serving ideas
• storage
• Vegan Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake
• more vegan apple treats:
• more vegan cakes and cupcakes:

ingredients

Here is everything you'll need to make this incredible cake:

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the cake, helping it hold its shape while keeping the crumb soft and tender.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, tender texture.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness, moisture, and a subtle molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with the apples and cinnamon.
• Baking Powder: Provides leavening to help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise while contributing to a tender texture and balanced browning.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of the apple, cinnamon, and vanilla.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds moisture and natural apple flavor while helping create a soft, tender crumb. It also helps replace the eggs traditionally used in coffee cake.
• Nondairy Milk: Adds moisture to the batter and helps create a smooth, tender cake.
• Canola Oil: Provides fat and moisture, resulting in a soft, tender cake that stays moist after baking.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth of flavor while complementing the apple and cinnamon.
• Apple: Adds juicy bursts of fresh apple flavor and a tender texture throughout the cake.
• Ground Cinnamon: Brings warm, cozy spice and classic cinnamon flavor to the apple filling.
• Pecans: Add buttery flavor, crunch, and texture to the crumbly topping.
• Vegan Butter: Binds the crumble ingredients together while adding richness and a buttery flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates the sweet, smooth base for the glaze and dissolves easily for a drizzleable consistency.

why you'll love this coffee cake

• Soft and tender: Applesauce and oil keep the cake incredibly moist and tender without needing eggs or dairy.
• Loaded with apples: Diced apples are tucked into a sweet cinnamon filling for juicy bites of apple throughout.
• Cozy cinnamon flavor: Brown sugar and plenty of cinnamon give this coffee cake that classic warm, comforting flavor.
• Buttery pecan crumble: The crunchy, buttery pecan topping adds the perfect contrast to the soft cake underneath.
• Easy to make: This is a straightforward vegan coffee cake made with simple ingredients and no complicated techniques.
• Completely vegan: No eggs or dairy needed! Just a deliciously cozy apple cinnamon coffee cake everyone can enjoy.

recipe tips

Here are a few tips to help ensure your vegan apple cinnamon coffee cake turns out perfectly!

1. Choose a good baking apple. Use a firm, slightly tart apple like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Pink Lady. They hold their shape well and balance the sweetness of the cake.
2. Dice the apples evenly. Cut the apple into small, bite-sized pieces so they soften evenly and are easy to eat in every slice.
3. Don't over-mix the batter. Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Over-mixing can develop too much gluten and leave the cake dense instead of tender.
4. Measure your flour correctly. Too much flour can make the coffee cake dry. For the most accurate results, use a kitchen scale or spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off.
5. Use softened vegan butter for the crumble. Soft butter makes it easy to combine the crumble ingredients without melting the mixture into a paste.
6. Don't skip the crumble! The pecan, brown sugar, and cinnamon topping adds a buttery crunch that contrasts perfectly with the soft apple cake.
7. Let the cake cool before glazing. If the cake is too warm, the glaze will melt and disappear into the surface instead of creating a pretty drizzle.
8. Adjust the glaze as needed. Start with 1 tablespoon of nondairy milk and add more a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
9. Don't over-bake. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Over-baking can dry out the cake.
10. Let it cool before slicing. Giving the coffee cake time to cool allows the layers to set, making it easier to slice without the apple filling shifting.

how to keep coffee cake moist

Coffee cake can be notorious for a dry crumb. Here are a few tips to keep this coffee cake moist and tender from first to last bite.

• Don't overbake it. This is one of the biggest causes of dry coffee cake. Bake just until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
• Don't over-mix the batter. Mix the ingredients just until combined to keep the crumb soft and tender.
• Don't skip the apples. Fresh apples add additional moisture and tender, juicy bites throughout the cake.
• Store it properly. Once completely cooled, keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature. Exposure to air will cause it to dry out more quickly.
• Let it cool completely before storing. Sealing the cake while it's still warm can create excess condensation and affect the texture of the crumble topping.

frequently asked questions

serving ideas

Occasions for vegan apple cinnamon coffee cake may seem slim, but here are a few serving ideas that might give you some inspiration:

1. With coffee: Serve a warm slice alongside your morning coffee for the ultimate cozy breakfast or brunch treat.
2. With tea: Pair it with a cup of black tea, chai, or your favorite herbal tea for an afternoon snack.
3. Warm with ice cream: Serve the cake slightly warm with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert.
4. Add whipped cream: Top with a dollop of vegan whipped cream for an extra creamy finish.
5. Drizzle with extra glaze: If you have a sweet tooth, add an extra drizzle of powdered sugar glaze just before serving.
6. Finish with cinnamon: A light sprinkle of cinnamon over the glaze adds even more warm spice.
7. Make it brunch-worthy: Cut the cake into squares and serve it alongside fresh fruit, coffee, and other breakfast favorites.
8. Serve it for dessert: This cake is delicious on its own but feels extra special when served warm with your favorite dairy-free topping.

storage

Room temperature: Store the cooled coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Refrigerator: For longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Freezer: Freeze individual slices or the whole cake, well wrapped and stored in a freezer-safe container, for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.

Glaze: The crumble will naturally soften slightly over time, especially in the refrigerator. For the freshest texture, you can wait to add the glaze until just before serving.

If you make this recipe be sure to tag @censoredbaker on Instagram!

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more vegan apple treats:

• vegan apple cinnamon cupcakes
• vegan apple cider cookies
• vegan apple cinnamon scones
• vegan apple cider donuts

more vegan cakes and cupcakes: