This recipe for Vegan Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake is adapted from Betty Crocker's old-fashioned 1970s recipe. Our American-style coffee cake is egg-free and dairy-free, yet features the best crunchy streusel topping and a soft, fluffy sponge. This cake is perfect if you love the flavours of cinnamon buns or anything with a sweet cinnamon theme. As this is an American coffee cake, it's not actually flavoured with coffee; rather, it's a type of cake that's traditionally served alongside a nice cup of coffee or tea
cake pan/tin 8-9 inch diameter lined with baking paper or cake paper insert
electric hand whisk optional, can just mix by hand with a mixing spoon
Mixing bowls
cooling rack
Ingredients
Cake:
235gramsplain flour[all-purpose flour]
2 ½teaspoonbaking powder
140gramsgranulated sugar[or caster sugar]
½teaspoonsalt[we use sea salt]
150mililitresplant-based milk[such as soya, oat or almond, or replace with your usual milk]
70gramsvegetable oil[such as sunflower or rapeseed]
Streusel topping:
70gramsdark brown sugar[or light brown sugar]
45gramsplain flour[all-purpose flour]
3tablespoonsvegan margarine[or vegan butter]
½teaspooncinnamon powder[add an extra ¼-½ teaspoon of cinnamon if stronger flavour preferred]
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 160 Fan / 180 C / 350 Fahrenheit / Gas 4.
Prepare the cake pan by greasing with a little margarine and lining with baking paper. Or pop in a paper cake insert.
Prepare the streusel cake topping:
Add all the streusel ingredients to a bowl and rub the margarine into the rest of the ingredients until the mixture resembles clumpy crumbs.
70 grams dark brown sugar, 45 grams plain flour, 3 tablespoons vegan margarine, ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
Prepare the cake batter:
Pop all the cake ingredients into a mixing bowl and use an electric hand whisk or a stand whisk to beat all the ingredients together. This won't take long as it just needs mixing until everything is combined.Alternatively whisk by hand using a mixing spoon.
Scoop the cake batter into the cake pan and level out the top so that it is evenly spread out.
Sprinkle over the streusel crumb topping.
Bake on the middle oven shelf for 40-45 minutes. Fan ovens will likely be quicker than other oven types so if using a fan oven check your cake at the 40 minute mark.Our electric oven [180C] usually takes 45 minutes to bake the streusel cake and we don't test the cake until the 45 minute mark for done-ness.The cake is ready when the dark golden top is firm and a skewer popped into the middle comes out clean. Although, the streusel topping will firm up more as it cools.
Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes within the cake pan before carefully removing to cool on a cooling rack. The coffee cake can be eaten warm from the oven or at room temperature.
Notes
This coffee cake can be stored in a cake tin or a similar container for 4-5 days, and possibly a bit longer. If you opt to store it in a plastic container, it's advisable to wrap the cake in kitchen foil. This helps maintain the streusel topping's crunchiness.
For longer storage, the streusel cake can be frozen, wrapped in food wrap and kitchen foil, for up to 2-3 months. Just remember to remove the food wrappings before defrosting it to room temperature.
If you have leftover slices that you'd like to refresh, simply pop them into a hot oven for a few minutes. This method is perfect for reviving that fresh-baked warmth and crispness, making your cake feel like it's straight from the oven.
Feel free to adjust the amount of cinnamon in the streusel topping according to your taste preferences. If you're a fan of strong cinnamon flavours, adding an extra ¼-½ teaspoon of cinnamon will enhance the cake's warmth and spice.
When baking, especially if you're using a fan oven, it's crucial to check your cake at the 40-minute mark to prevent over-baking. Each oven is unique, so adjustments to baking times may be necessary to achieve that perfect bake.
This coffee cake is perfect for various occasions, from a cozy family brunch to a special afternoon tea. It's an especially great treat for celebrating special days like Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter, or for a Thanksgiving brunch.
You can serve this cake warm from the oven with custard, cream, or a scoop of ice-cream. Or at room temperature with a nice cup of tea or coffee.