Keto Pumpkin Crumb Cake is a delicious fall treat. It features a tender low carb pumpkin cake with a delicious brown “sugar” crumb topping. It’s perfect for brunch or dessert!
Hooray, it’s pumpkin spice 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 Keto Pumpkin Crumb Cake.
I have so many fantastic pumpkin spice recipes, and every year I create a few more. I can’t help myself, there are just so many delicious keto friendly ways to enjoy it. Like Keto Pumpkin Muffins with a cream cheese center. And don’t forget about keto pumpkin pancakes, a welcome addition to any fall breakfast table.
But this pumpkin coffee cake is truly something special. It’s beloved among so many of my readers, and with good reason. Get your forks ready because you are going to love it!
Tender pumpkin cake recipe
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 absolutely delectable.
I came up with an amazing keto version for The Ultimate Guide to Keto Baking, and I was delighted with how well the topping came out. I replicated classic crumb cake almost perfectly. And my tastebuds did the happy dance.
I loved it so much, I knew I had to find a way to feature it again. What better way than to turn it into a Keto Pumpkin Crumb Cake?
Reader Reviews
“MAKE THIS NOW!!!! I will make these every. single. week. Who doesn’t love crumb?! Even my nonketo (and VERY picky) husband LOVED THESE!!!!” — Kristin
“I have made this cake three times so far and it is so DELICIOUS! Thank you so much for this pumpkin crumb cake recipe. I’have shared it with friends and they all love it. It’s such an easy recipe to make which is helpful. I actually use a lot of your recipes and they always turn out perfect.” — Kris
“Once again, you’ve done it! This is a wonderful recipe! I made this a couple of days ago and it’s a huge hit between me and my husband. I am incredibly grateful for all your wonderful recipes that you share with everyone. Thank you thank you!” — Sheri P.
Ingredients You Need
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- Almond and coconut flour: Both the cake and the topping contain almond flour and coconut flour. The combination of these flours provides the best consistency. You may be able to use all almond flour, but you would need quite a bit more of it. And the carb count would be higher.
- Sweeteners: I used Swerve Sweetener for each component of this recipe, but you can use other brands if you prefer. The topping is best with a brown sugar replacement, and the vanilla drizzle really needs a confectioner’s style powdered sweetener.
- Protein powder: Protein powder helps the cake rise in the absence of gluten, so don’t skip it. You can use whey protein or egg white protein powder. But collagen is not a great option as it tends to make the cake gummy.
- Pumpkin puree: Pumpkin puree can differ brand to brand. Some are thick and some are quite watery. The thicker the better for a pumpkin crumb cake like this. If yours is watery, try adding another tablespoon or two of coconut flour to offset the moisture content.
- Pumpkin pie spice: I usually use pre-made spice but you can also make your own with ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Butter: I use butter in the cake and the crumb topping. You could substitute with coconut oil for the cake, but the crumb topping turns out so much better (and tastier) with butter.
- Heavy cream: This forms the drizzle along with some powdered sweetener.
- Kitchen staples: Eggs, baking powder, vanilla extract, and salt.
Step by Step Directions
1. Prepare the 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.
2. Make the cake batter: 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.
3. Assemble the cake: Spread the batter in a greased 9×9 inch metal baking pan and smooth the top. Crumble the topping mixture with your fingers into pea size pieces and sprinkle evenly overtop the cake batter.
4. Bake the cake: Bake at 325ºF for 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. Let cool completely in the pan.
5. Make the drizzle: Whisk the sweetener, cream, and vanilla extract together until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
Expert Tips
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 really makes it.
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.
Testing the cake for doneness: For most of my keto cake recipes, I tell you to bake until the top is firm to the touch. That 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.
Recipe FAQs
Pumpkin is relatively low carb in moderation. I wouldn’t recommend consuming any more than a quarter cup of puree in one sitting. That would contain about 5g of carbs and 1.5g of fiber.
But most keto pumpkin recipes make multiple servings so the amount of pumpkin is minimal and adds very few carbs.
This Keto Pumpkin Crumb Cake has 6.6g of carbs and 3.3g of fiber per serving. That comes to 3.3g net carbs per slice.
Store this cake in a covered container on the counter for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze it for several months.
More delicious recipes you will enjoy.
- Keto Coffee Cake Muffins
- Keto Peach Cobbler Bars
- Easy Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Cranberry Upside Down Cake
- Keto Pecan Pie Muffins
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 whey protein powder (can also use egg white protein powder)
- 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 Swerve Confectioners
- 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 325ºF and grease a 9×9 inch square metal 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.
Jeanne N says
With prices going crazy these days and butter suddenly up 120% would you think that for the cake but NOT the crumble I could substitute coconut oil rather than butter? Also- thank you for all the great inspiration. My husband and best friends cannot stop pestering me to make more of the chipotle cheddar crackers which are my snack go-to as well as the cheesecake chocolate chip cookie bar. Every recipe I try is outstanding!
Carolyn says
I can’t see why not!
Karen says
Has anyone made this in an 8×8 pan?
Robin says
I made this in an 8×8 glass pan. It worked and cooked at minimum time at temperature called for in recipe. That said, it changes the cake to crumb ratio. IMO, fine to use 8×8 but best if using a larger 9×9.
lkmemphis says
I made this with whey protein and a scant tsp of guar gum in the cake. Delicious!
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.