This is the best crumb cake recipe ever. It has almond flavor throughout, the crunch of toasted sliced almonds, and the perfect ratio of crumb topping to cake, about 1:1. My Almond Crumb Cake Recipe is perfect for breakfast or dessert with a cup of coffee or tea. This easy almond flour coffee cake recipe is low carb, keto, gluten free, grain free, sugar free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
My husband is not a big dessert guy. He prefers desserts that are more subtle in their sweetness like cheesecake or lemon cookies versus a big hunk of chocolate cake with frosting. We spent his birthday in the car. Not the most fun way to celebrate. We had to drive ten hours to get home from visiting family for Easter.
So he ended up having two birthday celebrations. The first was the day before at his sister's house in Michigan with my Strawberry Shortcake Pound Cake. The second was the day after his birthday when we had a celebration at home with this almond flour coffee cake. He's a lucky man. This has become my favorite keto coffee cake recipe over the last few years!
Ingredients
Butter - I use salted butter when baking but if you have unsalted butter, you can use that instead.
Joy Filled Eats Natural Sweetener - This is my go-to sweetener when I'm baking at home.
Eggs - The binding agent that holds the flours together.
Almond extract - You can also use pure vanilla extract as well.
Half and half - Yogurt could also be used if you don't have half and half at home.
Almond flour - Adding almond flour creates a nice texture and is a great way to replace regular flour.
Coconut flour - Coconut flour adds a tiny hint of coconut flavoring that comes out nicely in this dish.
Golden flax - It's always good to add in more fiber!
Baking powder - A small amount of baking powder is all you need.
Salt - Measure and add as needed. Omit if you're using salted butter. I like using sea salt as my salt of choice.
Sliced almonds - I buy these presliced at the store but you can use your food processor to chop whole almonds at home as well.
How to Make Almond Flour Coffee Cake
I must admit I've never been a real fan of crumb cake until I made this crumb cake recipe. There is just something about the traditional flour and sugar crumb cake recipe that is boring to me. It needed some pizazz. Adding almond extract and toasted almonds gave it that boost it needed.
Step One: Mix together the batter in a medium bowl. I just mix all the ingredients together at once in a glass bowl with an electric mixer.
Step Two: Mix together the crumb topping in a small mixing bowl. You can mix the crumb topping in the same bowl with a wooden spoon.
Step Three: Pile the crumbs on top of the batter.
Step Four: Smooth out the topping.
Step Five: Bake the cake until golden brown.
Variations + Substitutions for Almond Flour Coffee Cake
Nuts: You can sub in any chopped nut for the sliced almonds in the topping. You can also omit nuts as well. Pecan pieces and walnuts would be a great choice.
Extracts: Other extracts can replace the almond extract.
Sour cream: If you don't have half and half, you can use sour cream as well. It may change the flavoring a tiny bit but it still is a great option. This will change the carbs and will still keep the recipe not being dairy-free.
Berries: Berries can be added in between the batter and topping. Frozen berries work best.
Jam: Dollops of sugar-free jam can be swirled into the batter before adding the crumb topping.
Cinnamon: Turn this low carb coffee cake into a keto cinnamon coffee cake recipe or keto crumble just by adding in a dash of cinnamon. You can easily mix into the cake batter or sprinkle on top of the mixture as well.
Muffins: Why not use this and make coffee cake muffins? The crumble topping would be perfect to make muffins or even small keto cakes using a smaller cake pan.
Gluten-free flour: If you want to try and use gluten-free flours in this recipe you can but I haven't tested it. Just be aware that most gluten free flour blends are not low carb.. This is a great way to make a gluten-free crumble or gluten-free coffee cake easily.
Paleo: For a paleo coffee cake you can try subbing in coconut oil for the butter, coconut cream for the half and half, and coconut sugar for the sweetener. Please let me know how it turns out with those swaps!
Common Questions
Where did crumb cake originate?
It's always fun to find out where recipes come from. What was originally called "streusel" in Europe has now been referred to as crumb cake here in the states.
Is coffee cake and crumb cake the same?
They're not. Both are typically used the same but you'll find that a coffee cake has more of an actual cake texture while a crumb cake tends to focus a bit more on the streusel topping.
What can you use to keep cakes from sticking to the baking pan?
Parchment paper is a great option. Just line the pan and spray and that should be more than enough to not have the cake stick to the cake pan.
How do you know when almond flour coffee cake is done baking?
After you pour it into the prepared pan and bake for the time listed below on the recipe card, you can use a toothpick to check the doneness of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done and ready to be removed from the oven.
How to store leftover crumb cake
Make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container with a lid. Keeping it nice and cool in the fridge can help it stay fresh for 2-3 days. If you want to reheat and enjoy warm, just a few seconds in the microwave will do the trick.
More Keto Coffee Cake recipes
I have gone on to make a few other variations on this crumb cake recipe. They are all unique so I recommend trying them all!
I hope you enjoy my almond crumb cake recipe! And then check out these other almond flour cake recipes!
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Almond Flour Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Batter:
- 2 tablespoon butter softened
- 2 oz cream cheese softened
- ⅓ cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 oz half and half
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ tsp. salt
Topping:
- 6 tablespoon butter melted
- ⅓ cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 cup sliced almonds toasted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Grease a square 8x8 pyrex with butter or cooking spray.
- In a bowl with an electric mixer combine all the batter ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Pour into the baking dish and spread evenly.
- Combine topping ingredients and mix until crumbs form. Sprinkle on top of the batter.
- Bake at 350 for 40 min until golden. If the topping starts to get dark cover with foil for the last 10 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published April 4, 2016. Revised and Republished January 10, 2022.
Abrie says
Do you know if honey can be used as a substitute for sweetener? And if so what the ratio would be? Thanks!
Taryn says
Maybe honey granules. I think liquid honey would make this too wet. You would need 1.5 to 2 times as much.
Bayle says
Hello, I was wondering if I could leave the cream cheese out? I can't have any dairy, but your cake looks delicious! I hope it won't mess it up if I dont use it?
Taryn says
You can sub in coconut milk and coconut oil for the dairy. This is a dairy free crumb cake based off of this recipe: https://joyfilledeats.com/blackberry-coffee-cake/ If you leave out the berries it is very similar.
Crystal says
Beautiful recipe. I would love to make this for a friend with an egg allergy. Has anyone tried it with flax eggs or another egg substitute?
Pennie says
I made this for my extended family - none of whom are on plan - and everyone LOVED it. I used cream , not half & half. Served it with a dollop of whipped cream. Didn't have almond extract so I used vanilla. I will acquire almond extract before I make it again. But the vanilla was fine. Just not as "almondy"
Amy says
Do I have to use a sweetener blend? Or could I just use eyrithritol?
Taryn says
Just erythritol should work but you will need more. Up to twice as much. The sweetener blend I use is twice as sweet as sugar. Erythritol is 1:1.
Kathy Donohue says
I just made this tonight. It was absolutely delicious! Thank you! For the half-and-half I used half cream and half vanilla cashew milk. — it’s what I had on hand. I will definitely be making this again.
Joann says
Can almond milk or coconut milk/cream be substituted for the half and half -
Taryn says
Yes, I think so. I'd use canned coconut milk.
Heather says
I am in New Zealand and “half and half” doesn’t mean a thing to me! Help please! Recipe looks gorgeous...I would love to try it! 😋
Taryn says
Half and half is half milk and half cream. It has a lower percentage of fat than regular cream.
Jan says
What is half and half please
Taryn says
Half and half is common in the US. It is half milk and half cream.
Mary Van Peursem says
So wonderful to be able to have cake! Real coffee cake! I made mine with 1/2 cream and 1/2 almond milk, since I can't have milk anymore. It worked fine; absolutely delicious! Thanks so much, Taryn!
sylvia :) says
hi! i want to use regular sugar and regular+almond flour is that ok? if so what amounts? and at what temp should i serve it? should it set first? thanks!
Taryn says
I have not tried this with regular sugar or flour so I'm not sure it would work. You need twice as much sugar as my sweetener. The flour amounts should be similar.
sylvia :) says
thanks! and should i let it set b4 serving?
Linda Laporta says
Your recipe calls for 4 oz. of half and half. That's a weight measurement? I'm confused because liquids are generally measured in cups. Is it 4oz by weight. Or 4 oz. liquid which is 1/2 cup?
Taryn says
Yes, 4 oz is 1/2 a cup. My measuring cups show both measurements.
Louise says
Hi! This looks lovely, but could you please tell me what you mean by half and half? Where I live, it means half chips and half rice!
Taryn says
Haha. It means half milk and half cream in the US. Nothing to do with chips or rice 🙂
Gemma says
Could I use just cream? Double or whipping cream? I can’t have milk on my keto diet so wondering if it will work?
Taryn says
Yes, cream should work.
Melissa says
I've been trying to find a copycat low-carb recipe for almond Neiman Marcus bars. They are similar but have cream cheese on top. Thanks!
Terri says
Hi,
Can you substitute brown sugar for gentle sweet? If so, what would the substitution be?
Thanks!
Taryn says
I think so but I haven't tried. You would use about twice as much. Gentle Sweet is twice as sweet as cane sugar.
Jessica says
This looks so delicious! Any idea on the carb count per serving?
Taryn says
I just added a nutrition box to the bottom of the post. 4g net carbs per serving 🙂
Christine Christoffersen says
Hi I have just resentful found your site and would love to make so many of your recipes. The flour mix contains coconut flour and I'm allergic to it. How can I substitute coconut flour in the mix?
Thanks,
Christine
Taryn says
I'm sorry but the substitution would vary according to the recipe. You can try just adding more almond flour.
Susanne says
Hi Taryn,
can I ask what a T of butter is ? As not familiar with that measurement.
Thanks in advance
Susanne
Taryn says
A capital T is a tablespoon 🙂
Susanne says
Thanks! Will give it a go ?
Julie says
Hi there,
This looks amazing! Cannot wait to try.
Thanks so much for sharing.
julie at icanlivewithoutsugar
Corinne says
What is THM gentle sweet?
Taryn says
A sugar free sweetener blend of xylitol, erythritol, and stevia. It is made by the Trim Healthy Mama company. I normally mix up my own. My recipe is here: http://www.joyfilledeats.com/sweetener
Amber says
I wonder of those would be good with cinnamon and apples added?? Or would that be bad because of the apples? What about Apple extract? If I did use an extract...how much do you think would be used in this recipe? Thanks, I am new to Ketogenic diet and I'm never sure if it's okay to ever eat fruit besides berries occasionally.
Taryn says
Hi Amber, I'm not sure apples would work in this recipe. I've never heard of Apple extract but any extract should be fine. Cinnamon would be yummy. You could add berries to this. I think a layer of raspberries under the crumbs would be delicious.
Stef says
Hi - love your recipes. Do you have the nutrition info about this? At least the carbs and fiber? Thanks!
Taryn says
I put it in an online recipe calculator here: https://www.caloriecount.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php
This does not include the sweetner but that wouldn't affect carbs. Xylitol has some calories though.
For 16 servings: Calories 172
Calories from Fat 134
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14.9g 23%
Saturated Fat 6.1g 31%
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 63mg 21%
Sodium 115mg 5%
Potassium 106mg 3%
Total Carbohydrates 5.8g 2%
Dietary Fiber 3.3g 13%
Sugars 0.8g
Protein 5.0g
Stef says
Thanks so much! New Type 2 in the house, so I'm learning a lot!