Vegan cherry almond coffee cake is a delicious way to enjoy the cherry season. The cake is swirled with cherry preserves and topped with fresh cherries, a crumb topping, and toasted almond slices. Enjoy this decadent vegan breakfast this weekend.
I was originally going to top this vegan cherry coffee cake with a baked-in cream cheese layer. But I worried it would melt during the cooking process.
So I switched directions by altering my blueberry breakfast cake recipe and adding a layer of jam to the center.
It was definitely a save for this decadent vegan dessert!
Ingredients
There are quite a few ingredients in this recipe but don’t let that discourage you. The final product is totally worth it!
I’ve listed the main ingredients below along with substitutions for a few of them.
*Full amounts are in the recipe card below.
- All-purpose flour is the base of this cake. A 1:1 ratio of gluten-free flour can be used as a substitute.
- Non-dairy milk binds everything together. I use almond milk but you can use soy, rice, oat, etc.
- Cane sugar perfectly sweetens the cake. Coconut sugar or powdered turbinado sugar can be used as a substitute.
- Cherry preserves are swirled throughout every bite. Any brand will do.
- Fresh cherries give this vegan coffee cake a combination of sweet and tart flavors. I use sweet dark cherries, but any type can be used.
- Sliced almonds become nice and toasty in the oven for an ideal nutty crunch. Use as much or as few sliced almonds as you’d like. Or, swap them out for chocolate chips.
- Non-dairy yogurt gives this cake a soft, moist texture. Substitute it with an extra ¼ cup of non-dairy milk mixed with 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Coconut oil also adds to the softness and moisture of the coffee cake.
- Baking powder and baking soda are what make this cake rise beautifully.
- Almond extract adds a subtle hint of almond flavor.
Instructions
As I mentioned above, this recipe is super easy to make.
Start by folding a sheet of parchment paper around the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Lock the pan so it holds the parchment paper in place. Flip the pan over and cut off any excess parchment from the outside bottom. Then, oil the sides.
Step 1. In a large bowl mix together the oil and sugar.
Step 2. Then, mix in the non-dairy milk, yogurt, and almond extract.
Step 3. Sift in the dry ingredients.
Step 4. Mix/fold everything together to create a batter.
Step 5. Add half of the batter to the prepared springform pan and top with half of the cherry preserves.
Step 6. Top with the remaining batter and cherry preserves.
Step 7. Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping across the cake batter.
Step 8. Top with fresh cherry halves.
Step 9. Then, add the sliced almonds.
Step 10. Bake the coffee cake in the oven at 375ºF for 30-45 minutes.
This cherry almond coffee cake recipe is so good I’ve made it numerous times.
It’s got all the right flavors. It’s perfectly sweet. It's super easy to make. And, it's a great companion to your morning, afternoon, or evening cup of coffee.
Bring this cherry coffee cake to family gatherings, brunch get-togethers, or enjoy it as a simple evening dessert.
This fruit-infused coffee cake is always a hit with guests!
Bakers Tips
- The crumb topping is best kept uncovered and at room temperature. It is ideal to serve the cake the same day once it has fully cooled or at least an hour or 2 after baking.
- Measure the flour using the spoon and level method. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup then, use the flat edge of a knife to level off the flour.
- Cut larger cherries into quarter sections.
- A 10oz jar of cherry preserves yields just enough for both layers of the cake.
- Add the non-dairy milk and yogurt at room temperature to keep the oil from solidifying.
- Use as much or as few sliced almonds as you’d like.
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Recipe
Vegan Cherry Almond Coffee Cake
This light, moist vegan cherry coffee cake is rich in flavor. Cherry preserves are swirled throughout and fresh cherry halves, a crumb topping, and thin almond slices top it off.
Ingredients
Wet Cake Ingredients
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- ¾ cup cane sugar
- ½ cup non-dairy yogurt, plain or vanilla
- ⅓ cup refined coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Dry Cake Ingredients
- 2 and ½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
Crumb Top
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar, packed
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil, solid but scoop-able
All Toppings
- 1 and ¼ cups cherry preserves (about a 10oz jar)
- Crumb top recipe from above
- 15-20 fresh cherries, sliced in half and pitted
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
To make the Crumb Topping
- In a medium bowl mix together the sugar and flour.
- Cut in the coconut oil with a fork until there are no large chunks of oil. Set aside.
To make the Cake
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- Fold a sheet of parchment paper around the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Lock the pan so it holds the parchment paper in place. Cut any excess parchment from the bottom of the pan. Then, oil the sides.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the oil and sugar until combined. Then, whisk in the remaining wet ingredients.
- Add the dry ingredients into the bowl of wet. Gently mix/fold them together just enough for the thick batter to come together. Avoid overmixing.
- Add half of the batter to the bottom of the prepared springform pan and evenly spread it out.
- Dollop half of the cherry preserves on top and roughly swirl them in.
- Pour the remaining batter on top and evenly spread it out.
- Dollop the remaining cherry preserves on top of the batter and roughly swirl it in as well.
- Top with the above crumb topping recipe halved cherries, then sliced almonds.
- Bake at 375ºF for 35-45 minutes or until a poker inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If it comes out covered in batter, bake the cake an extra 5-10 minutes longer, or until the poker comes out clean.
For best taste and texture, allow the cake to completely cool uncovered. Serve the same day.
Notes
- Add the non-dairy milk and yogurt at room temperature or slightly warm to keep the oil from solidifying.
- Use all of the toppings or just a few.
- Cane sugar can be replaced with coconut sugar or powder turbinado sugar. To powder the sugar, measure it, then blend it in a NutriBullet or equivalent.
- I rarely measure out the cherry preserves. I just dollop them on straight from the jar.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 386Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 326mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 2gSugar: 37gProtein: 5g
**Nutritional info is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients I used and for convenience and as a courtesy only.**
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vanessa
hi! im getting the ingredie ts for the recipe soon and i noticed an inconsistency. the almonds pictured are sliced, not slivered. theres a noticeable texture difference so just wanted to lyk! the cake looks scruumptious
Marlena Luna
Thank you for the heads up, Vanessa. I updated the recipe and fixed the error.
Hi
Hi, this recipe was a life saver! My mom had a health scare last Christmas so she switched to being vegan to help with her health. For the past five years, I’ve made her a cherry coffee cake for Mother’s Day. Because she’s vegan now, though, I had to change the recipe, so following your recipe was a huge help.
One thing I will say, though, to any future users who try this recipe, ADD THE MILK AND YOGURT TO YOUR RECIPE AT ROOM TEMP OR A LITTLE WARMER. I used coconut shortening to act as oil in this recipe, and while it was melted when I mixed it with the sugar, the cold almond milk I added toughened the shortening right back up. It was like a sugar cement. I had to redo part of the recipe because of that. Other than that, after I adjusted the cake to altitude, it came out perfect. I’m sure my mom will enjoy it!
Marlena Luna
I'm so happy to hear you are able to keep the Mother's Day tradition going. I'm sure she will love the coffee cake! Unfortunately, coconut oil and shortening can both solidify if too cold. I've had it happen before in other recipes. I made a note on the recipe card so, hopefully, others don't have the same issue. Thank you for the wonderful feedback!
zoom
I've read and reread this, but I can't find any coffee in the recipe??
Marlena Luna
This is an "American-style" coffee cake meaning a soft moist cake with streusel topping. Its name comes from being served alongside coffee (or tea) instead of being made with coffee.