Gluten-Free New York Crumb Cake - Easy Brunch Recipe! (2024)

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Sep 5, 2021 May 11, 2023

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This Gluten-Free Coffee Cake is fluffy, tender, and moist with a sweet streusel topping. It’s the classic New York crumb cake that’s truly all about the crumbs! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee, especially when you want something special for the holidays.

Gluten-Free New York Crumb Cake - Easy Brunch Recipe! (3)

Table of Contents

  • Easy Gluten-Free Coffee Cake
  • New York Crumb Cake Ingredients
  • How to Make Gluten-Free Coffee Cake
  • Tips for the Best Guten Free Coffee Cake
  • Storing Leftover Crumb Cake
  • Can I Freeze Leftovers?
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Get the Recipe
  • More Gluten-Free Breakfast Ideas

Easy Gluten-Free Coffee Cake

Growing up, I loved Entenmann’s Crumb Cakes and the thick, sweet slices of coffee cake from New Jersey bagel shops. The best was when there was almost more crumb than cake!

This New York-style crumb cake is my gluten-free recreation of those childhood treats. For many years, I made this cake for Christmas breakfast. It has such a nostalgic flavor of cinnamon, powdered sugar, and buttery streusel crumble that everyone young and old will happily dig into a slice (even if you’re not gluten-free).

Gluten-Free New York Crumb Cake - Easy Brunch Recipe! (4)

New York Crumb Cake Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this easy gluten-free coffee cake. The full amounts are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Gluten-free all-purpose flour. Use a 1-to-1 baking blend like Bob’s Red Mill or Cup4Cup.
  • Light-brown sugar. Measure your sugar when it’s tightly packed.
  • Cinnamon
  • Butter. Use unsalted, and let the butter cool after melting and before you add it to the cake batter.
  • Canola oil. You can also use avocado or coconut oil.
  • Granulated sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Egg
  • Milk. Feel free to use plant-based milk if you prefer.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar. This is just for dusting the top of your cake.
Gluten-Free New York Crumb Cake - Easy Brunch Recipe! (5)

How to Make Gluten-Free Coffee Cake

Follow these steps to bake your own crumb cake, but scroll to the recipe card for the details instructions, as this is just a quick overview:

Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or line it with parchment paper (see my tips below for how-to).

Make the crumb topping: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour the melted butter on top and gently combine everything with a fork until you have a crumbly texture.

Gluten-Free New York Crumb Cake - Easy Brunch Recipe! (6)
Gluten-Free New York Crumb Cake - Easy Brunch Recipe! (7)

Make the crumb cake batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining gluten-free flour, white sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, oil, and vanilla. Combine the wet and dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined.

Gluten-Free New York Crumb Cake - Easy Brunch Recipe! (8)
Gluten-Free New York Crumb Cake - Easy Brunch Recipe! (9)

Fill the cake pan: Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer with a spatula. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the batter.

Bake: Bake the New York crumb cake for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the pan after 10 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan.

Gluten-Free New York Crumb Cake - Easy Brunch Recipe! (10)
Gluten-Free New York Crumb Cake - Easy Brunch Recipe! (11)

Serve: Dust the cooled with powdered sugar just before slicing and serving.

Gluten-Free New York Crumb Cake - Easy Brunch Recipe! (12)

Tips for the Best Guten Free Coffee Cake

Here are a few tips to help you perfect your New York Crumb Cake:

  • Leave some large crumbs in the streusel topping for texture.
  • Use binder clips or chip clips to attach the parchment to the side of the pan so it doesn’t shift. The batter is thick and you have to spread it to the corners of your pan (it ends up being a pretty thin layer). The clips help keep the parchment in place as you spread.
  • The cooled crumb cake cuts easily with a serrated knife.
  • Wait until the cake is fully cooled before you add the dusting of powdered sugar on top. Otherwise, it can become a melty mess.
  • Take it to the next level with strawberries, blueberries, and a cheesecake swirl in this Gluten Free Berry Crumb Cake recipe.
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Storing Leftover Crumb Cake

Store fully cooled leftovers by wrapping them tightly in plastic or in an airtight container. The cake will stay fresh for up to three days at room temperature. You can serve it as-is, no need to reheat.

Can I Freeze Leftovers?

Yes, you can freeze leftover New York crumb cake by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or placing it in an airtight container for up to four months. Let the cake thaw at room temperature for several hours or overnight before serving.

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Serving Suggestions

This crumb cake makes an excellent gluten-free addition to a brunch spread. You can serve the cake warm or at room temperature. It’s so sweet and buttery that it doesn’t need any other toppings! To drink, you can’t go wrong with a warm cup of coffee or tea when you pair with with some of these options:

  • Serve it with something savory. Try this Bacon Cheddar Quiche with Tomato and Pineapple or slices of Air Fryer Ham.
  • Add fruit. You can just go with some fresh fruit or try my festive Waldorf Fruit Salad.
  • Have as dessert. While popular for breakfast, you can add it to a holiday dessert spread with Gluten Free Rainbow Cookies or Cherry Cheesecake Dip.

    4.6 from 16 votes

    Gluten-Free Coffee Cake

    This Gluten-Free Coffee Cake is fluffy, tender, and moist with a sweet streusel topping. It's the classic New York crumb cake that's truly all about the crumbs! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee, especially when you want something special for the holidays.

    Prep: 10 minutes mins

    Cook: 25 minutes mins

    Ingredients

    For the crumb topping:

    • 2 1/2 cups 1:1 gluten free flour
    • 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
    • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
    • 3/4 cup unsalted butter , melted and cooled (1 1/2 sticks)

    For the cake:

    • 2 Tbsp canola oil
    • 1 1/2 cups 1:1 gluten free flour
    • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 1 large egg
    • 1/2 cup milk
    • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • Powdered sugar for dusting

    Instructions

    For the crumb topping:

    • In a medium bowl, blend together the 2 1/2 cups of flour, light brown sugar, and cinnamon with a fork.

    • Pour melted butter over the flour mixture, and toss together gently with the fork until large crumbs form. Don’t break up the crumbs. Set aside.

    For the cake:

    • Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Use clips to attach the parchment to the side of the pan so it doesn’t shift. Set aside.

    • In a medium bowl, sift or whisk together the 1 1/2 cups of flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.

    • In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, canola oil, and vanilla.

    • Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and fold together with a rubber spatula.

    • Spread batter in an even layer in the prepared pan (batter will be thick).

    • Sprinkle crumb mixture over the batter, leaving some large chunks.

    • Bake for 10 minutes, rotate the pan and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.

    • Cool completely in the pan, and dust with powdered sugar.

    • If you prefer, use the parchment paper to gently lift the cake out of the pan. You can also leave it in the pan. Cut with a serrated knife.

    Nutrition Facts

    Gluten-Free Coffee Cake

    Amount Per Serving

    Calories 371Calories from Fat 144

    % Daily Value*

    Fat 16g25%

    Saturated Fat 8g40%

    Trans Fat 1g

    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

    Monounsaturated Fat 5g

    Cholesterol 45mg15%

    Sodium 114mg5%

    Potassium 133mg4%

    Carbohydrates 57g19%

    Fiber 4g16%

    Sugar 28g31%

    Protein 5g10%

    Vitamin A 385IU8%

    Vitamin C 1mg1%

    Calcium 99mg10%

    Iron 2mg11%

    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

    Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, Snack

    Cuisine: American

    Gluten-Free New York Crumb Cake - Easy Brunch Recipe! (16)

    Did you make this?

    Leave a rating below and tag @cupcakesandkalechips on Instagram and hashtag it #cupcakesandkalechips

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    Categories:

    • Breakfast Ideas
    • Cakes
    • Christmas
    • Desserts
    • Desserts
    • Diet
    • Family Friendly
    • Gluten Free
    • Holidays
    • Recipes
    • Thanksgiving

    More Gluten-Free Breakfast Ideas

    • Easy Gluten Free Blueberry Muffins
    • Air Fryer Glazed Donuts (Gluten Free)
    • Gluten Free Biscuits and Gravy
    Gluten-Free New York Crumb Cake - Easy Brunch Recipe! (2024)

    FAQs

    How do you keep gluten free cake moist? ›

    Add extra liquid: Gluten-free flours tend to absorb more liquid than regular flour, so you may need to add more liquid to your recipes to compensate. This can help to keep your baked goods moist and prevent them from becoming dry and crumbly.

    Is gluten free cake more crumbly? ›

    Some gluten free flours will produce a cake which is on the dry side. This might be due to the lack of gluten but can be for many other reasons. Lots of gluten free flour is rice based and this can result in a dry and slightly gritty texture.

    Why do gluten free cakes not rise? ›

    YOUR CAKE IS SINKING IN THE MIDDLE OR NOT RISING

    You may not have used enough raising agents. I do recommend experimenting with double action baking powders. Otherwise try using 25 percent more chemical raising agents (baking soda or baking powder) if you're converting a recipe to gluten free.

    What is the trick to gluten-free baking? ›

    Gluten-free flours often contain fine starches, so they absorb more liquid than conventional flour. To address this, gluten-free recipes usually call for more liquid and produce looser batters. They may also call for a larger quantity of leavening, like baking powder, to help add volume and lighten the texture.

    What gluten-free flour is best for cakes? ›

    What's the best gluten-free flour for baking? Bob's Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 baking mix is my favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for baking. It has a mild texture and plenty of "stick" thanks to a blend of sweet rice flour, brown rice flour, and sorghum flour, plus some starches and xanthan gum.

    Do gluten free cakes need to bake longer? ›

    Gluten-free baked goods often benefit from extra liquid to hydrate the flour blends, eliminate grittiness, and achieve a less dense or dry texture. However, it's very important to drive off this extra moisture during baking, or you'll wind up with a gummy texture. The best way to do this? Longer baking times.

    Should you let gluten free cake batter sit before baking? ›

    As long as you have the time, it's better to let your batters and doughs sit. This will give flours and starches time to absorb liquid, which will prevent your recipes from developing a gritty, sandy texture.

    What helps gluten-free cakes rise? ›

    Gluten-free flour blends don't have the same elasticity as flour containing gluten so often the cakes don't rise as much or will sink after rising. To combat the flat cake problem, I add ½ tsp of bicarbonate of soda to the recipe even when using a self-raising gluten-free flour blend.

    Why do gluten-free cakes taste grainy? ›

    The Cake Is Gritty:

    If your cake turned out gritty, you used a gluten free flour blend that isn't milled as finely. Usually, rice flour is the main culprit of gritty gluten free cake.

    How do you make gluten-free cake less crumbly? ›

    Adding xanthan gum, to some extent, replaces the elastic qualities that gluten-free flours lack. This helps to reduce the risk of your cake crumbling and falling apart.

    What is the trend in gluten-free bakery? ›

    The Global Gluten-Free Bakery market is anticipated to rise at a considerable rate during the forecast period, between 2023 and 2030. In 2022, the market is growing at a steady rate and with the rising adoption of strategies by key players, the market is expected to rise over the projected horizon.

    Do I need xanthan gum for gluten-free baking? ›

    Xanthan Gum adds thickness and viscosity to gluten-free breads and other baked goods. Without xanthan gum, your gluten-free baked goods would be dry, crumbly and flat. Because xanthan gum is gluten-free and vegan, it's the preferred thickener for those home bakers with food allergies.

    Can I just replace flour with gluten-free flour? ›

    Gluten-Free Bread Flour can be swapped 1:1 for all-purpose flour and bread flour by both weight and volume.

    What flour is naturally gluten-free? ›

    Common Flours
    • Brown Rice Flour. Brown rice flour is about as close to a 1:1 substitute for all-purpose flour as it gets since it provides structure and a “wheat-like” flavor. ...
    • White Rice Flour. ...
    • Oat Flour. ...
    • Almond Flour. ...
    • Almond Meal. ...
    • Cornstarch. ...
    • Potato Starch (NOT Potato Flour) ...
    • Buckwheat Flour.

    Do you bake differently with gluten-free flour? ›

    Because gluten-free flours provide less structure than all-purpose, the batter or dough you make with them may require more beating than that which you are accustomed. The extra beating will provide the structure that the flour itself cannot.

    Why is my gluten-free cake gooey? ›

    These ingredients take longer to set than regular gluten-containing flour, meaning they may remain slightly “gummy” or sticky until they have cooled. That's why when you test your gluten-free cakes with a toothpick, even if it looks done, your toothpick might not come out completely clean!

    Should you let gluten-free cake batter sit before baking? ›

    As long as you have the time, it's better to let your batters and doughs sit. This will give flours and starches time to absorb liquid, which will prevent your recipes from developing a gritty, sandy texture.

    How do you store gluten-free cake overnight? ›

    Gluten-free baked goods can lose moisture and quality quickly. Wrap them tightly and store in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container to prevent dryness and staling.

    How do you make a gluten-free cake less crumbly? ›

    Adding xanthan gum, to some extent, replaces the elastic qualities that gluten-free flours lack. This helps to reduce the risk of your cake crumbling and falling apart.

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