This Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake is tender, moist and free of grains and dairy products. It’s sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar. You’d never guess it’s grain-free!
When I discovered Bob’s Red Mill Superfine Almond Flour recently, I knew my world had changed. After receiving great reviews of my addictive Pumpkin Pecan Caramel Coffee Cake, I couldn’t wait to adapt this recipe with other fruit. This gluten-free Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake came out of the oven and was an immediate hit.
Who would have guessed that simply using finely ground almond flour would make such an incredible difference in baked goods? This warm spiced cake is tender and moist. It’s filled with tiny apple chunks and topped with a sweet crunchy walnut crumble. If you’re looking for a simple coffee cake or dessert for a cozy fall or winter day, this is one to consider.
My brother texted me last week, asking if I had Mom’s recipe for apple cake. I dug out her old recipe book and finally found her recipe for what she called Baked Apple Pudding. Jotted on a scrap of paper in her beautiful cursive handwriting, it featured white sugar, all-purpose flour and butter. I set out to try to make a healthier, grain-free version of this delicious cake, and this Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake was the result.
This snack cake is naturally sweetened with maple syrup, coconut sugar and applesauce. I used one of the Jonathan apples that our friends with an apple tree had shared with us. This cake is just sweet enough for morning coffee time. Adding a glaze or drizzling it with caramel sauce or serving it with ice cream would easily transform it into a decadent dessert.
And if you like coffee cakes, you might also like these tender, moist Lemon Glazed Gluten Free Pumpkin Scones.
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup Superfine almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup peeled and finely chopped apples
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar (or brown sugar if not paleo)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- Heat oven to 325°F.
Line an 8 x 8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the walnut crumble topping first. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine oil, maple syrup, coconut sugar and applesauce. Stir well.
- Add the eggs and beat until well combined.
- In a medium bowl, combine the finely ground almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda and spices.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Gently fold in the apples.
- Spread in prepared pan. Top with walnut crumble.
- Bake at 325°F. for 45 - 50 minutes.
- Let cool completely. Drizzle with a simple glaze made by combining 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 2 teaspoons lemon juice, if desired. Good, but not essential. The cake is delicious with or without the drizzle.
If you don't have Superfine Almond Flour, just grind regular almond flour in your high-speed blender.
You might like this Pumpkin Pecan Caramel Coffee Cake, too!
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leslie-anne says
Elaine! this coffee cake is haunting me – I was walking down the street today and thought of it and how I had to make it for thanksgiving breakfast. Looks great – and right up my alley.
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Leslie-Anne! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! No need to let it haunt you–jut make it :):)
Colleen says
Elaine, this coffee cake looks delectable! I love your photos, and the cake sounds amazing. I have that superfine almond flour, same brand, in my pantry, and have used it for other recipes, but nervous for baking. Thanks for posting this delicious looking recipe.
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Colleen. My husband loved this cake. That superfine almond flour works beautifully for gluten-free baking! I was impressed with the results.
Markus Mueller says
This apple coffee cake looks so good! I think i may have to devote some of my apple “harvest” to this recipe..does it keep well in the fridge or freezer?
Flavour & Savour says
Hi Markus,
Yes, it freezes well. I just wrapped it tightly and stored it in an air-tight container. Lucky you, with your own apple harvest!
Leslie Rossi | alifewellconsumed says
i love coffee cake and i love apples so this is perfect!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Leslie! My husband couldn’t believe this was gluten-free!
Kathi @ laughingspatula says
I love the idea of super fine almond flour! I find the regular stuff a little to course for baking…brilliant! Will check it out at my store!
Flavour & Savour says
I just discovered it! It’s so much better for baking.
Eva Towner says
David and I LOVE this cake! Thanks so much Elaine. I’ll be making it for our Women’s Group dinner next week and tell them all where it came from. Our group is now over 35 years old and most of them know you! Expect more subscribers 🙂
Flavour & Savour says
Hi Eva!
Thanks–so glad you liked it. Wow, your group has been active for a long time. How great to have such good life-long friends! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Annie says
This is a lovely recipe. Easy to make and extremely light for a gluten free cake. Is sweet but not too much so. The only problem now is to resist eating it all at once!
Thanks for another delicious recipe.
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks so much, Annie! I’m so glad you liked it!
Torreh says
I made this for Rosh Hashanah, substituting brown sugar for coconut sugar. It was fantastic and everyone loved it!! I would add ice cream and/or caramel next time!
Flavour & Savour says
Hi Torreh,
Thanks so much for letting me know! Yes! adding some caramel or ice cream is a great idea. So glad you liked it!
Kristen says
I made this coffee cake as a GF dessert option at our family Christmas, and we loved it! It turned out great. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Flavour & Savour says
Hi Kristen,
Thanks for letting me know! So glad you liked it, as it’s a favourite in my home too. Thanks for commenting.