This tender low carb coffee cake has a cinnamon filling and a sugar-free cream cheese glaze. An easy keto cake recipe that tastes like your favorite cinnamon roll! Now updated with a how-to video. And it’s even easier to make.
Please note that I have updated this keto cinnamon roll coffee cake ever so slightly to be even easier to make!
Sometimes I take a bit of one of my creations and I think to myself “I am really good at what I do”. That isn’t quite as self-aggrandizing as it may seem. Really, I am often just somewhat amazed at how I fell into this job, if you can even call it that. More to the point, I am often amazed at what I can create with ingredients I’d never even heard of only a few short years ago.
And I seem to have gained an innate sense of the characteristics of my ingredients that allows me to combine them in new and different ways, mostly to great success. Admittedly, occasionally I fail tremendously, but I still learn something from every failure that helps me in future recipes. I don’t feel limited by my dietary restrictions, and in fact I’d say the opposite is true.
They have opened up a whole new world of ingredients to me, and I daresay I am a better baker because of it. I am more creative, more sure of myself…and I clearly have a healthy appreciation for my own work.
How To Make Keto Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake
There is true joy in being good at what you do. I have been pretty good at a number of things in my life, some of which I even got paid to do. I was a pretty great academic advisor in my day and I enjoyed that most of the time. And at the time, I thought I’d work in higher education for the rest of my life.
Funny how life lays waste to the best laid, most carefully thought out plans. In this case, for the better, because as much as I enjoyed dispensing academic advice to unappreciative college kids, it simply doesn’t compare to the enjoyment I derive from this blog. I mean that with the utmost sincerity. I love the whole process, from the initial recipe concept to the actual execution in the kitchen. And then sharing it here with stories and pictures, and seeing what my readers think and if they have good results with it too.
With that sort of lead in, I am sure you must think I came up with the most astonishing, most amazing low carb, gluten-free recipe ever. The truth is that this actually yet another variation on my favourite low carb cake recipe. That cake turned out so well and has come to have a life of its own; it’s spawned so many other recipes and I just keep thinking of more and more things to do with it.
The idea for a coffee cake based on cinnamon rolls popped into my head one day and I knew instantly that my almond crusted butter cake was the perfect base recipe. It never fails me, that one. It’s the perfect low carb yellow cake recipe, with a light, tender crumb, that it makes a perfect building block for other recipes.
A little cinnamon “sugar” baked into the middle of the cake, then brushing the hot cake with melted butter and sprinkling more cinnamon “sugar”, then a cream cheese icing drizzle and you have yourself low carb Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake.
And I really did bite into this Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake and think “yeah, I am really good at this”. Call it egotistical if you will. I just call it delicious.
PLEASE NOTE! This delicious low carb cake recipe has been updated to be even EASIER to make. Same great flavor, I promise.
Love to bake? You need my new cookbook!
Keto Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Cinnamon Filling:
- 3 tablespoon granulated sweetener (erythritol or allulose)
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cake:
- 3 cups almond flour
- ½ cup erythritol sweetener
- ¼ cup unflavoured whey protein powder
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup butter melted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup almond milk or water
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 ½ ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoon powdered sweetener (erythritol or allulose)
- 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Cake
- Combine the Swerve and cinnamon in a small bowl and mix well. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 325ºF and grease an 9x9 inch baking pan.
- Whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, protein powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the eggs, melted butter and vanilla extract. Add the almond milk and continue to stir until well combined.
- Spread half of the batter in the prepared pan, then sprinkle with about two thirds of the cinnamon filling mixture. Spread the remaining batter over top and smooth with a knife or an offset spatula.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and just firm to the touch. Remove from the oven.
- Brush with the melted butter and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon filling mixture. Let cool completely in the pan.
Frosting
- In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sweetener, cream, and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
- Pipe or drizzle over cooled cake.
Alex says
Thank you for this lovely recipe. Do you know how much protein there is per serve?
Carolyn says
Not off the top of my head. A quick hand calculation of my ingredients and I think it’s about 8 or 9 g per serving. But I haven’t put them all into a program.
Pansy says
Made this today, looks so yummy (I say looks because it’s too pretty to cut!) I will be cutting tonight and hubby and I will be having it for dessert! I’m trying to get things baked and put into the freezer for lunches this summer on the few days I have off!
Pansy says
Okay this is super easy and 100% tasty. I think I’ll be making another tomorrow, AWESOME!
Kimberly says
Ran out last night just too get some unflavored whey protein. Promptly baked this first thing this morning. Just had to pop back in to tell you how delicious it is. Thanks!
Carolyn says
Glad you liked it!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
I call it delicious too!
Kari says
Hi Carolyn,
I think it’s pretty obvious that you do a number of things quite well! Besides being a fabulous writer and story teller, you are an incredible cook and recipe developer and we in the blogosphere are only too appreciative for your abilities and creativty! Thanks so much for being a passionate food writer and blogger! Our low carb GAPS diet world is a tastier and better place because of you!
Thanks for All You Do!
Carolyn says
Thank you so much, Kari!
Darlene Sudderth says
Hello Carolyn!! I baked this cake today and I must say…it was soooo gooood!! I followed your recipe exactly except I added my leftover sugarfree/cinnamon topping that I had (made too much) and mixed it into the cream cheese icing. I piped that on top and this was great. I cut it into small bars…about 15 or so, to keep myself from eating it all. I can stop at 2 or three if I set my mind up to it. Thank you for another great recipe!! WuuuHuuu!!
Carolyn says
I like your use of the leftover cinnamon topping!
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
HA! I had no idea you were an academic advisor. I could totally see that. I’ve always loved a good coffee cake but so rarely make them because E and I will totally devour the whole things ourselves. But the next time I’m going to a brunch, I know what I’m making!
Lady Jennie says
It is so nice to hear you say that, because I think it about myself all the time. I know I’m a good cook (because of all the reasons you stated) and I know I’m a good writer. And while I dabble in French cooking on my blog, I’m starting to think that writing is going to be the thing that takes over. (I’m publishing my memoir, a chapter at a time on my blog each Monday, and plan to publish it before starting on the next book).
But I have just as many insecurities as the next person. I think highly enough of myself, but hopefully not too much so. I’m happy to recognize the skills and talents in the person next to me, even when they are better than I am. But oh, when you find that groove and you just fall into it and you think – I could write (cook) forever and never grow tired of it – it is SUCH a great feeling. 🙂
And, by the way, as soon as I saw this recipe (before I even opened the post), I knew it was what I’d be making tonight for my guests. 🙂 You are skilled, my friend.
Carolyn says
I’d forgotten that you write a blog too, so I just hopped on over. I read the When I Was a Princess post but couldn’t find a way to comment (I am not un-technical but I couldn’t see where to enter one). It’s lovely and YOU are lovely. Your stories are wonderful. I love the writing part too and part of what I love about food blogging is that it serves both loves so well.
I need to start reading your memoir (memoire). I hope I can find you on Blog Lovin so I can follow at regular intervals.
Kathy says
Carolyn- Just made the Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake and it seemed liked there was at least twice the amount of flour that the other ingredients could accommodate. Is there a typo? I added 3 cups of almond milk to get the batter to hold together.
3 tbsp Swerve Sweetener or granulated erythritol
2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 cups almond flour
1/4 cup unflavoured whey protein powder
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup Swerve Sweetener or granulated erythritol
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup almond milk
1 tbsp melted butter
3 tbsp cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp powdered Swerve Sweetener or powdered erythritol
1 tbsp cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Carolyn says
Nope, my amounts are correct. So many people have made this recipe without issue. What kind of almond flour were you using? Sounds like maybe it was the Sukrin defatted kind that’s powdery? That’s very different stuff than regular almond flour.
Kathy says
My apologies! That will teach me to cook WITH my glasses on. I just discovered I grabbed a bag of Coconut flour! My bad.
Christine says
Hahaha that’s so dang funny! I’m careful to make sure my glasses are on as I’ve had some pretty close calls myself. Glad to know I’m not alone lol.
Diana says
Hi Carolyn,
I “discovered” (I know you weren’t lost, but maybe I was) you blog last week, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I believe you may have just changed my life.
Probably not surprisingly, the first recipe of yours I tried was the crusted almond butter cake (so delicious!!!! THANK YOU!!!) promptly followed by your pumpkin/cardamom creation (it was my first time ever using cardamom, I found some green pods at my neighborhood grocery store that I then managed to peel and grind by hand – I suspect it may have had a stronger flavor than the pre-ground variety, but I still loved the cake). And, even with that small a samlpe size, I can absolutely agree with your assesement that you are very good at what you do, and I can’t wait to try this new recipe.
You rock, lady!
Carolyn says
Thank you, Diana! I appreciate your kind words.
Heather Calfee says
I love this recipe! How do I make it into cupcakes or muffins
Carolyn says
Should be pretty straightforward, but I’ve never tried it. It will only make 12.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
This is fantastic! My dad is going to love it – he can’t have sugar anymore!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Great almond flour coffee cake recipe, Carolyn! Pinning to our group board to share! xo
Diane (createdbydiane) says
oh yes, and I just love cream cheese icing! This looks so good Carolyn, what a great way to lighten up a old favorite.
Melinda @cookingalamel says
This looks fantastic. I’ve been craving cinnamon roll flavors for a while, now, and nothing seems to sate it. Perhaps this will help… 🙂
Kimberly says
This looks amazing and I want to make it right now. Any substitution suggestion for unflavored whey protein? Or should I just be patient to make this recipe until I get some.
Carolyn says
Do you have any kind of protein powder? Even meringue powder (powdered egg whites) would help. You could use vanilla protein powder but it will taste somewhat different and have a strong vanilla flavour (in which case, skip the vanilla extract). If you don’t put in some extra protein, it won’t rise properly…mind you, it would still taste good!
Kimberly says
Yeah, I have vanilla protein powder. I want this to turn out so I think I’m going to get some unflavored this weekend. Thanks for the reply and recipe!
Danielle says
Carolyn would collagen work in place of the whey protein? 🙂
Carolyn says
No, absolutely not. I have tried collagen in baked goods and they end up very gummy.
Cassie says
What about gelatin in replacement of whey protein powder?
Carolyn says
No, that would make it very gummy. I’ve tried.
Colleen says
I use 1/4 hemp hearts and it works beautifully.
Candi says
1/4 c. Hemp hearts in place of protein powder??
Lex says
Does protein isolate work instead of protein powder?
Carolyn says
Yes, it should work fine.
Brittney Cunningham says
I’ve made this with Orgain Chocolate Protein Powder (all I had at the time). Comes out perfectly delicious. It’s a favorite in our house. I let it sit for awhile and don’t serve warm. It’s so good the next day when it’s firmer and super moist. I didn’t like flavor as much warm as I do cold. But that’s normal for me. I’m the type of eat cold pizza out the fridge person. Goes perfectly with a nice hot cup of pumpkin spice coffee. I’ve been doing Keto for 10 months and down 78 lbs! It’s nice to be able to enjoy a little sweet stuff without the bad stuff. I also use Monk Fruit Sweetener instead. Enjoy!
Lorraine McGill says
I just received an order of Swerve and have been looking for a great recipe to try it out. This looks perfect and I actually have all of the ingredients!
In my “conventional” cinnamon roll recipe (which I don’t make any more), it calls for a little cocoa powder in the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Gives it a little extra something. So I’ll probably still do that.
On Step 6, you should start with “Spread half the batter…” or someone might accidentally pour it all in before they read the rest!
Thanks for taking the time to make these amazing recipes!
Carolyn says
Good call on the instructions, let me take a look…
Lorraine McGill says
Made the cake and it is amazing! So moist and delicious. It is so nice to finally have a low-carb option for something sweet. I just couldn’t tolerate any other sugar substitutes. I’m so glad I discovered Swerve and, in turn, this recipe!
Karen says
Where does the coffee flavour come from please
Carolyn says
Coffee cake is a kind of cake that goes with coffee…it’s not actually coffee flavoured.
Casey says
Do we have to use the whey protein powder
Carolyn says
If you want it rise properly, yes.
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
Oh wow! This looks fantastic Carolynn!
Kathy says
Hi, This is delicious, we’ve made it many times and have taken it to work for gatherings and got rave reviews. I love your recipes, any chance you could add the button for metric measurements? It is SO much easier than imperial. Thanks, Kathy
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
Looks wonderful! And I love that it’s a lighter, healthier version. Thanks! 🙂
Monique says
I can’t wait to try this…your recipes are always SO good!! Thnx
Cookin Canuck says
There really is something so satisfying about finding something that you’re truly good at. Making money while doing it is just a bonus.
This cake looks wonderful and I’m sure it would be fantastic with a cup of tea.
Katharine says
YUM!! Love that almond butter cake. I know I’ll love this one too! Our community (those with blood sugar issues or doing low carb for other reasons) needs passionate and intelligent recipe developers and story tellers! thanks, Carolyn, and keep it up!
Sandi says
Made the Cinnamon Coffee Cake this morning. We found it a little too sweet. Can I cut the Swerve to 1/2 cup and add some lemon zest to the batter. What do you think? Thanks
Carolyn says
You can always cut back on sweetener.
Jenny Kim says
I just started the keto diet. I tried making this today and it was okay but very dry. Did yours come out crumbly? I wonder if I made it correctly?
Carolyn says
If it was dry, something went wrong. What almond flour did you use? What sweetener?
BJ says
I actually tried this today , and used about 1/2 cup Lupin flour and the rest almond flour. Also, I used monk fruit as the sweetener instead of Swerve. Came out pretty good, but was wondering if you had ever tried using Lupin flour in any of your recipes?
Carolyn says
Only in my cookbook, The Ultimate Guide to Keto Baking. I don’t feel it’s the best flour, since it’s pretty high carb. Yes, the carbs are mostly fibre but it’s as yet unclear on how much dietary fiber affects blood glucose.