This delightful vegan coffee cake is a perfect companion for your morning brew or an afternoon pick-me-up. With its moist texture and a sweet cinnamon swirl, it’s a recipe that brings warmth and comfort to any gathering. I remember the first time I made this for a brunch with friends; their faces lit up with surprise when I told them it was entirely plant-based. It’s incredible how simple ingredients can create such a delicious treat!

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
  • ½ cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For the Cinnamon Swirl

  • ¼ cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

In a mixing bowl, combine the almond milk and apple cider vinegar, letting it sit for a few minutes to curdle slightly. This will create a vegan buttermilk.

In another bowl, mix the flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.

Pour the wet ingredients (almond milk mixture, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract) into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.

In a separate small bowl, mix together the coconut sugar and ground cinnamon for the swirl. Set aside.

Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the batter. Pour the rest of the batter on top, and then sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Using a knife or a skewer, gently swirl the batter to create a marbled effect, but don’t overdo it; you want to see the cinnamon swirls!

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow it to cool for about 10 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once cooled, slice into squares and serve with a fresh cup of coffee or tea. Enjoy the comforting aroma and the delightful taste of this vegan coffee cake, perfect for sharing with friends and family!