This tender cranberry coffee cake is packed with tart cranberries and a hint of orange zest, and loaded with slivered almonds and a sweet crumb topping. Try my paleo apple cinnamon coffee cake next.
Happy October, everyone! This is when it’s now socially acceptable for me to start decorating the house with pumpkins and apples, wear nothing but shades of beige and black, and watch my electric bill plummet while I cease using the AC. It’s the (second) most wonderful time of the year.
I’ve been dying to start making all things cranberry for the holidays, and I’ve decided that I don’t have to wait for the holidays! With the weather cooling down, I start to crave things like casseroles and coffee cakes. I no longer want egg whites and a fruit salad for breakfast. I want waffles, and piles of pancakes, and coffee cake – hence, this cranberry coffee cake.
But here’s the thing about waffles and piles of pancakes and coffee cake – they’re loaded with gluten and dairy, and that’s a big no-no for a paleo diet. And since I’m stubborn as hell, I’m not giving up my fluffy breakfast confections. So that means I had to find a way to make them gluten free, dairy free, lower carb and refined sugar free.
And guess what? I did it, and it’s beautiful. The smell alone kinda got me in the holiday spirit, which is good because I am desperately trying to get ahead on my recipes so that I have more time to drink and be merry once winter rolls around.
Paleo baking with almond flour and coconut flour
I’ve been spending a lot of time learning the ways to use almond flour and coconut flour, and it’s not as easy as swapping one for another. Almond flour can be mostly a 1:1 ratio for all purpose flour, but you have to use more baking powder to get more rise out of it.
Coconut flour is sort of a pain in my ass – it’s much more absorbent, so you can’t just use it as a 1:1 ratio of all purpose flour. With that said, the right combination of the two can result in a perfectly puffy and tender cake when paired with the right amount of rising agent, egg and oil.
And of course you need a little bit of sweetener, for which I used coconut sugar. Coconut sugar has been a real life saver, because using maple syrup or honey isn’t always the right option. I wanted this cake to have a tender crumb, but I didn’t want it to be heavy. Coconut sugar to the rescue, my friends. Outside of that, there’s nothing crazy about this recipe!
I always stock up on cranberries and freeze them – I’m basically never without at least two bags of cranberries at any given point and time. You can add them to the batter straight out of the freezer and the result is just as delicious as cranberries fresh out of the bog.
They get all wrinkly and give the coffee cake those perfect little pockets of tart deliciousness.
As for portion size, you can slice this into nine pieces or 16 – totally up to you. I like huge pieces of coffee cake, so of course I cut it into nine. But you should all be proud of me because I resisted the urge to make some sort of vanilla drizzle to just douse the thing.
Mind you… there are still a few pieces waiting to fulfill their purpose. It’s not too late.
After you’ve made this recipe, please leave a comment below with a rating – and if you came from Pinterest, add a photo of what you make to the pin to share your experience!
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Paleo Cranberry Coffee Cake
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9 pieces 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Tender coffee cake is packed with tart cranberries and a hint of orange zest, and loaded with slivered almonds and a sweet crumb topping.
Ingredients
Crumb topping:
- 1/4 cup almond flour (aff link)
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar (aff link)
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, solid (not melted)
- 3 tablespoons slivered almonds
Cake:
- 2 3/4 cups almond flour (aff link)
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, solid (not melted)
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar (aff link)
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- 2 cups cranberries, divided
- Zest of 1 orange, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° and line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, coconut sugar and coconut oil. Use a pastry cutter (aff link) to cut in the coconut oil until completely combined and crumbly. Set aside.
- In another medium bowl, whisk together almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together coconut oil and coconut sugar until well combined.
- Add eggs, almond milk and vanilla/almond extract and use a wooden spoon to combine.
- Add dry mixture to wet mixture until combined. Add 1 1/2 cups cranberries and 3/4 of the orange zest and gently stir to combine.
- Press batter into prepared pan. Top with crumb mixture, cranberries and orange zest.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool completely in pan. Cut into 9 pieces and enjoy!
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: paleo coffee cake, cranberry coffee cake
Jeanne says
Has anyone tried using coconut milk instead of almond? It’s all I have in the house.
Leslie Haasch says
It should work, texture wise, but you may have a slightly different taste due to the additional coconut flavor it will add.I haven’t tried it myself, but perhaps add a 1/2 teaspoon more of vanilla extract to balance it out. Good luck!
Jenna says
This looks so moist and would be perfect for a light breakfast on Christmas morning!
Leslie Haasch says
It totally would!
kate says
This looks so good! I love cranberry in sweets.
Leslie Haasch says
Me too – they’re so underrated!
Amanda Mason says
This looks so good and I love that this is gluten free and paleo! I’m having a hard time finding cranberries at my store…there are no fresh and no frozen!! As soon as I can get my hand on some, I’ll be making this coffee cake!
Leslie Haasch says
Oh no, I hope you find some soon!
Lois. O says
Cranberry is my favorite holiday flavor as well. I can’t get my family to love it as much as I do though. Maybe this recipe will change their minds because it looks divine!
Leslie Haasch says
I hope so!
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says
Such a perfect cake flavor for fall! I can’t wait until the fresh cranberries come out again at the grocery store – so many delicious things to bake.
Leslie Haasch says
One of my favorite things is walking into the store and seeing the piles of cranberries – it’s the kickoff to my favorite season!
neuroticbaker says
I love cranberry coffee cake and this looks super yum.
Leslie Haasch says
Thank you!
Renee Gardner says
Such a pretty little cake for a fall day. Love the cranberry orange combination.
Leslie Haasch says
Me too!
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
I love cranberries! This looks like a great coffee cake!
Leslie Haasch says
I might be partial, but it is pretty great! 🙂
Tina | The Worktop (@TheWorktop) says
Bring on the cranberries! I am looking forward using cranberries in all my recipes soon 🙂
Leslie Haasch says
They’re the best!
kate says
What a perfect dish for the season! I love cranberry anything!
Leslie Haasch says
Me too!
Tatiana says
I first tried coconut sugar couple years ago and also fell in love with it! And I freeze a lot of cranberries every fall for the whole year too. Well, looks like I have everything on hand for your coffee cake, let’s bake!
Leslie Haasch says
Yay, I hope you love it!
sugarlovespices says
I love baking with gluten free flours and I hear when you say that you just cannot use coconut flour the same way. It sucks so much moisture! But your coffee cake turned out spectacular, and the addition of almond flour gave a wonderful density and fluffiness. I have to start using cranberries more often!
Leslie Haasch says
You really do, they’re just so good!
Dominique| Perchance to Cook says
UMMM Yes please!! I’m always on the lookout for new paleo coffee cake recipes, this looks so so so good!
Leslie Haasch says
I don’t want to brag, but it TOTALLY is! 😉
Dustin says
Cranberry season is my favorite!! Love this!
Leslie Haasch says
Me too! I’m glad I live in the state with a plethora of cranberries 🙂
Gloria Duggan says
Loving the sound of this rustic cake. Perfect for dessert, and as an afternoon treat with a cup of coffee or tea.
Leslie Haasch says
It’s so good with a cup of coffee, just relaxing on a Sunday morning!
choosingchia says
I love how healthy this cake is! You can even eat it for breakfast!
Leslie Haasch says
I do, and have – every morning this week! 🙂