Pumpkin Crumb Cake is the ultimate keto fall dessert recipe. Tender low carb cake with pumpkin and spice, and a delicious brown “sugar” crumb topping. The perfect keto coffee cake recipe! This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill.
First keto pumpkin spice recipe of the season! It’s September now and that means I’m allowed to post all the pumpkin recipes my little heart desires, right? Starting with this delectably tender pumpkin crumb cake.
I already have so many pumpkin spice recipes. I love pumpkin and fall, and all that comes with it. So many delicious keto friendly ways to enjoy that big orange gourd. Like my Keto Pumpkin Cream Pie, a delicious light and airy take on standard pumpkin pie.
Or my almost famous Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins, a healthier keto take on the Starbucks version. And don’t forget about easy keto pumpkin pancakes, a welcome addition to any fall breakfast table.
But this pumpkin coffee cake is truly something special. Tender pumpkin spice flavored cake with a crumbly streusel topping. Low carb and grain free, of course.
And then I went and put a delicious vanilla drizzle over the top. Yeah, because I am all crazy like that.
Keto Pumpkin Cake with a New York Style crumb topping
Have you ever heard of New York Crumb Cake? It’s an amazing coffee cake with a thick layer of brown sugar streusel. I’d say it’s almost more crumbs than cake, and it’s so delectable.
I came up with an amazing version for my keto baking book, but you can’t have that one. Not yet anyway. The Ultimate Guide to Keto Baking doesn’t come out until December 3rd, although it’s available now for pre-order. I haven’t officially announced it because it doesn’t yet have a cover, but it may be my pièce de résistance.
Seriously though, the crumbs on the top of the cake… oh my. I was impressed with what I could do using Bob’s Red Mill coconut flour and almond flour, along with the brown sugar replacement from Swerve. I replicated the crumb topping for a crumb cake almost perfectly.
My taste buds did the happy dance.
And then I had trouble getting that tender brown “sugar” crumb out of my mind. So I had to find a way to use it again. And now that it’s pumpkin spice season… I think you know where I am going with this.
Tips for the perfect Keto Pumpkin Coffee Cake
A proper crumb cake should almost be as much crumb topping as it is cake. While the pumpkin cake itself is delicious, it’s the topping that takes it over the top. Pardon the pun!
Both the cake and the topping contain almond flour and coconut flour. This really gives it the best consistency. You could perhaps use all almond flour for this but you would need to triple the amount of coconut flour, which would increase your carb count considerably.
For the topping: Be sure to use plenty of brown sugar replacement and butter. It should really be like a very thick cake batter or almost like a cookie dough. It should not be dry at all but you should also be able to break it apart into big crumbs.
Instead of cinnamon, which is standard in crumb cake topping, use pumpkin pie spice.
For the keto pumpkin cake: The combination of ingredients is important here. Protein powder helps the cake rise in the absence of gluten, so don’t skip it. I used egg white protein but you can also use whey protein. Collagen protein does not work well, it makes things gummy and hard to cook through.
Pumpkin puree gives the cake it’s beautiful orange gold color. Pumpkin puree can differ brand to brand. There are nice thick ones and others that are quite watery. The thicker the better for a pumpkin crumb cake like this. Watery puree could make the cake a little soggy.
If you do have a more watery pumpkin puree, try adding another tablespoon or two (or three if necessary) of coconut flour to offset the moisture content.
Testing the cake for doneness:In most of my cake recipes, I tell you to bake until the top is firm to the touch. That test for doneness won’t work here because the crumb topping is so tender, it obscures the cake.
For this particular recipe, the golden color of the topping is one clue that the cake is done. It will be very golden around the edges. You should also use a tester and insert into the center of the cake. It should come out clean.
Ready to enjoy some delicious Keto Pumpkin Crumb Cake? You won’t regret it!
More Keto Pumpkin Spice Recipes
Keto Pumpkin Crumb Cake
Ingredients
Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup almond flour
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ½ cup Swerve Brown
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup butter melted
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Pumpkin Cake:
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup Swerve Sweetener
- ⅓ cup coconut flour
- ¼ cup unflavored egg white protein powder (can also use whey protein)
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Drizzle (optional):
- ¼ cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Crumb Topping:
- In a medium bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, sweetener, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Stir in the butter until well combined. It will be like a thick batter. Set aside
Pumpkin Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 325F and grease a 9x9 inch square baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, coconut flour, whey protein, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Stir in the pumpkin puree, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Spread the batter in the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Crumble the topping mixture with your fingers into pea size pieces and sprinkle evenly overtop the cake batter. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until the topping is golden and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. It won’t be firm to the touch because the topping is so tender.
- Remove and let cool completely in the pan.
Drizzle:
- Whisk the sweetener, cream, and vanilla extract together until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
Amy says
I just made this with “no changes” and it was/is delicious. Thank you!
Lisa McConnell says
When you say Whey Protei Powder in your recipes, can I use my regular Protein Powder I use for my shakes? There is whey in it. I can’t buy anything extra at this time. All your recipes look delicious. Also…what can I use if I don’t have Egg White Replacement? Thank you!
Carolyn says
You should be able to use it, as long as it’s not strongly flavored. And if you use it, you won’t need egg white protein.
Terri says
Ohhhh!!! Bravo! Made these today as I love pumpkin any time of year. Absolutely delicious! Thank you Carolyn!
Sherry says
Can I use colagen instead of the whey protein or egg white protein powder? I don’t have either. Thanks again, love all the recipes (especially the cranberry bliss bars!)
Carolyn says
Not a good replacement, it will make it gummy and hard to cook through.
Tree says
Delicious! This cake is so incredibly moist and the crumb topping and drizzle are the perfect addition. Thanks for another fantastic recipe!
Carolyn says
Thank you!
Amy Kell says
Does this freeze well? Perhaps without the drizzle? Thanks!
Carolyn says
Sure will!
Patti says
Is this recipe in one of your books?
Tanya Laverock says
Hi, can I substitute whey protein for actual egg whites or eggs? If so, how many? Thank you !
Carolyn says
No, it’s not an egg replacer. It replaces the gluten.
Dorothy says
Can’t find pumpkin purée in our stores or online. Everyone says it’s the same as pumpkin 💯 pumpkin. Is that correct?
Thanks
Carolyn says
Yes.
Katherine Damiano says
This cake for our tastes was very good, the amount of crumble was abundant to cover the cake. Because of our preference for less crumble, we will reduce the quantity of ingredients for the crumble next time. Very good, it’s a keeper. Thank you.
Melinda Owen Alm says
It is so yummy!!
David Fitzgerald says
Just finished making this wonderful looking dessert. Just waiting a little bit before digging in. Will rate at that time, but it looks great and the house smells fantastic. Just a couple minor changes on my part to use what I had on hand.
Hillary says
Good morning just thought I’d mention you have put cinnamon instead of pumpkin spice in your crumble method and missed adding butter thanks Hillary
Carolyn says
Hi Hillary… are you sure you’re reading the recipe? Because it says pumpkin pie spice, not cinnamon, and it states when to add the butter.
Patricia says
What adjustments are needed for high altitude baking?
Carolyn says
The same you do for regular baking.
Kathleen says
Hi Patricia,
I’m at 9,000 feet and followed the ingredients and oven temperature portions of the instructions exactly. I was concerned about the baking dish overflowing (I used an 8×8) and put a cookie sheet underneath to catch any spills, but it turned out to be unnecessary. I baked it for the maximum 40 minutes in the directions. The topping came out browned but not burnt. Overall I’m pleased with the results. I’m an experienced conventional & gluten-free baker, but new to keto baking and brand-new to high-altitude. I’m looking forward to experimenting with more of Carolyn’s recipes.
Tammy says
This is so delicious, family members had no idea and wanted the recipe.
Maria O says
Sorry it should have said make not meme.
Maria O says
Can you use this recipe to meme it into muffins?and if so what temp should this bake at and for how many minutes.
Carolyn says
I haven’t tried muffins with this recipe but I have other coffee cake muffins. You can use those as a guid.