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This Cinnamon Coffee Cake is light and fluffy, full of cinnamon flavor, and topped with a cinnamon pecan streusel. It’s the breakfast of your dreams! Suitable for dessert, too!
Christmas is coming in just a few weeks. I’m knee deep in shopping, present buying, cookie making, and attempting to straighten up the house. While I don’t have to menu plan as we generally have Christmas dinner at my in-laws, I do like to make something special for Christmas morning.
The smell of something sweet baking in the oven while the kids tear open their presents and “Ooh” and “Aah” (hopefully) over their latest and greatest toys, while I sip my coffee (or green smoothie), snap a few pics and take it all in – that’s bliss right there, friends.
This Cinnamon Coffee Cake is the perfect holiday breakfast to get the kids to the table before the chaos of the rest of the day begins.
Christmas is my favorite holiday. I start listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I love the pretty lights, the festive sounds, the big beautiful snowflakes (NOT the polar vortex though!), decorating our trees, visiting with friends and family, the parties, the hot chocolate, the cocktails, the kids sitting on Santa’s lap, and watching the kids’ eyes light up when they open a present they really wanted.
Did I mention the scents of the season? The gingerbread, the cinnamon, the chocolate, the cookies, and all things sugary sweet.
Although I eat it all year long, the smell of cinnamon always reminds me of Christmas. That sweet spice is sprinkled on almost everything this time of year and I’m not complaining. Christmas breakfast should always include something cinnamon-y if you ask me.
Enter this Vegan Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Pecan Streusel. There is cinnamon in the cake and in the streusel. The cake is soft and moist – not dry and crumbly like those store bought versions!. It smells and tastes heavenly!
I don’t usually bake (or cook) with oils. I’m not opposed to them, but since they are 100% fat, I try to use as little as possible. Same goes for white flour and white sugar. I try to sub healthier ingredients as often as possible.
I trialed several different versions of this coffee cake before settling on this one, which does use some coconut oil and a bit of organic cane sugar (which you can swap out for coconut sugar if you really want). I really wanted something light and fluffy and sweet and not something that tasted “healthier.”
I do think this cinnamon coffee cake recipe is healthier than traditional recipes, but it’s definitely a treat. Pair it up with some fresh fruit and don’t feel one bit guilty because, hey, it’s Christmas!
If you don’t have time to whip this up on Christmas morning, no one will blame you! You don’t even have to bake it that morning. It is just as delicious the next day. So make it the day ahead and simply reheat individual pieces in the microwave when you’re ready to eat. Or just eat it cold. It’s great both ways, though I prefer it warm.
And it doubles as a dessert too, so when you’re back from your long day of visiting family and the kids are finally tuckered out and in bed, go grab yourself a piece out of the fridge, warm up for a few seconds, pour yourself a cup of hot tea or hot chocolate and savor the memories of the day.
Did you notice the beautiful white baking dish I made this in? That’s thanks to all of you! My Chai Spiced Pumpkin Layer Cake won Readers Choice in the Simply Organic and Go Dairy Free Bake Off. My prize was a gift card for Revol and I chose this lovely rectangular baker. This was the first dish I baked in it and I love it so much. I love that it has easy to grab handles and it washes clean so easily. I also got a Dutch Oven because they were on sale when I ordered. Score! So, thanks again to everyone who voted!
More vegan brunch recipes
- Vegan Breakfast Casserole
- Vegan Zucchini Muffins
- Veggie Potato Fritters
- Vegan Savory Waffles
- Coffee Granola
- Spicy Tomato Juice
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment below with your feedback.
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For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Vegan Cinnamon Coffee Cake w/ Streusel
Ingredients
- 2 cups spelt or all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup organic canola oil or melted coconut oil
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup organic cane sugar or additional coconut sugar
- 1 cup vegan unsweetened, plain yogurt (I used So Delicious Unsweetened Plain)
- ½ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Cinnamon Pecan Streusel Topping
- ½ cup flour (spelt or all-purpose)
- ½ cup pecans (chopped small)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3-4 tablespoons of pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a mixing bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, sugars, yogurt, aquafaba, pumpkin puree, and vanilla until smooth.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Pour the batter into an 7 x 11 baking dish and smooth out evenly.
- For the streusel, mix the flour, pecans and cinnamon together in small bowl. 1 tablespoon at a time, pour the maple syrup into the mixture and stir well. Add additional tablespoons of maple syrup until the mixture is moist and crumbly. Mix really well after each tbsp of syrup. You shouldn't need more than 3-4 tablespoons.
- Sprinkle the streusel all over the batter.
- Baked for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Esty Green says
can I pretend it’s Christmas and make this coffee cake now in July? Looks so delicious I wish I would’ve found it earlier!!!! What can I substitute for yogurt ? Don’t want to make it dairy ……
Jenn S. says
Hi, Esty. The yogurt I used is vegan. There are lots of dairy free yogurt options available in stores today. Enjoy!
Mel says
I would love this for breakfast on Christmas day and I totally agree about the smell of cinnamon. I bought some cinnamon essential oil yesterday to use in my diffuser as I can’t possibly have something baking 24/7 to get the smell ;O)
Jenn S. says
Good idea! I always buy those cinnamon brooms from Trader Joe’s because they smell so awesome. I put one in every room!
Melissa | Vegan Huggs says
Coffee cake is my absolute favorite, especially for breakfast! That streusel is calling my name! Looks so delicious!
Jenn S. says
It’s the best, isn’t it?! And something so festive about it. I never make it for other occasions for some reason.
Sarah says
Streusel topping makes everything better! Love the dish—Alisa shared some little dessert cups by Revol the other day and they were so cute!
Jenn S. says
I can’t stop staring at this white baking dish! It’s just so gorgeous. LOL! I got a Dutch Oven too, but haven’t used it yet. And YES to streusel!! 🙂 Thanks, Sarah!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
Cinnamon is definitely the best coffee cake flavor. Looks delicious, Jenn!
Jenn S. says
I 100% agree! Thanks, Amy!
Mary Ellen - VNutrition says
The smell of cinnamon always reminds me of Christmas too!
These looks absolutely wonderful! I think I will be taking this to my mother-in-law’s for Christmas breakfast!
Jenn S. says
Mmmmm, cinnamon. Love it so much! Thanks, Mary Ellen. Happy brunching!
Erin says
Hi Jenn. Do you think the recipe would still work if I substituted apple sauce for the vegan yogurt?
Jenn S. says
I think it will still work, although the texture will be different. Probably “stickier” or “spongier” – not that that’s a bad thing though! Let me know if you try it!
Becky Striepe says
It has been way too long since I’ve had coffee cake, and your recipe looks stellar!
Jenn S. says
Time to remedy that, Becky! You need a slice now! 🙂
Cadry says
Oh, this looks like the perfect Christmas breakfast to have with coffee while opening presents. I’m glad you’re enjoying every bit of the holiday season! It’s such a special time of year.
Jenn S. says
That’s exactly the picture I had in my head too! Thanks, Cadry!
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says
I love coffee cake, and your version looks amazing!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Dianne! It’s so good with a cup of coffee!
Ginny McMeans says
I already saw this on pinterest this morning and pinned it. 🙂 It looks so moist and perfect for the holidays. Thanks Jenn!
Jenn S. says
Aw, thank you, Ginny! You’re the best!
Sarah | Well and Full says
Seconding Rebecca’s comment – I’m not a huge one for sweets, but coffee cake is something I’ve always said yes to! This looks delicious, especially the streusel!!
Jenn S. says
I’m not a huge fan of sweets in the morning either (though I do love my sweets for dessert). But something about the holidays and all the cinnamon that totally make me crave this in the morning. Thanks, Sarah!
Rebecca - Strength and Sunshine says
Coffee cake is my favorite! Love this classic version <3
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Rebecca!