A velvety almond flour coffee cake with a tunnel of rich caramel and pecans. All the flavours of a sticky bun in a low carb, gluten-free package!
Please note: I no longer use any coconut sugar in my baking whatsoever. I am working on updating this post but the recipe now features my Keto Caramel Sauce, which uses only Swerve Brown and BochaSweet.
A number of readers have asked me what I think about coconut sugar and whether it’s good for diabetics or people trying to lose weight through low carb diets. There’s no quick and easy answer for this question, in my opinion. The claim is that coconut sugar is low glycemic and has little affect on blood glucose levels, but they said that about agave too. For many diabetics, me included, agave spikes them as much as regular sugar, so I tend to take claims of glycemic levels with a grain of salt. But because there was seemingly so much interest in coconut sugar, I was willing to try it out and use my own blood glucose as a guinea pig. Don’t say I am not willing to sacrifice myself for you!
I first tested it out in my Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies to make paleo version for my CrossFit class, and I was surprised to find that the cookies (I had two) didn’t seem to raise my sugar levels. I tried it out in a few other baked goods for my kids, and every time I tested, I was within a good range of blood glucose levels. So hey, that’s good, right? But let’s not jump the gun. Coconut sugar is still, in fact, sugar. It’s not some magical substance that we can use willy nilly now that we know it doesn’t seem to affect Carolyn’s blood sugar levels. Because it’s still made up of sucrose and fructose, with some inulin in there too. The inulin, a sweet-tasting fiber, may be what keeps it from spiking me, I don’t know. But I am not quite ready to trust it and maybe I never will be. Because every diabetic and dieter is different and what doesn’t affect me might affect you. My evidence is purely anecdotal and it would be irresponsible at best for me to tell you it’s good for you. Kris Gunnars of Authority Nutrition has a good rundown on coconut sugar that’s worth a read. Coconut Sugar – Healthy Sugar Alternative or Big Fat Lie?
Here’s what I really think about coconut sugar: I think it’s healthier than the highly refined white sugar that is so prevalent in our society, but it’s not a cure-all for our collective sweet tooth. I think that it can be useful in some recipes, because it lends a brown sugar taste and appearance which is hard to get with other low carb sweeteners. But I will only use it in my recipes in small quantities, small enough that it will have little to no affect on anyone’s blood sugar. Because I am not willing to risk your health or my own.
The dark appearance and rich caramel flavour of coconut sugar is very useful for certain recipes, though. I discovered this when I attempted to make a low(er) carb English Toffee to give away at Christmas time. I used about ⅔ Swerve and ⅓ coconut sugar and it wouldn’t harden up properly at all. I stared sadly at the pecan covered goo on the cookie sheet, thinking it was meant for the trash bin but I didn’t have the heart to throw it away. And thankfully, I did not! With a little added heat and cream, it turned into the most amazing low carb caramel sauce I have ever tasted. I then added it to a coffee cake for Christmas morning and it was to die for. The flavour was reminiscent of the pecan sticky buns I used to love. So I recreated my “mistake” a few times and perfected it. This might be the best low carb coffee cake you’ve ever had!
Sticky Bun Coffee Cake – Low Carb and Gluten-Free
Ingredients
- 1 recipe Sugar-Free Caramel Sauce
- 3 cups almond flour
- ⅓ cup unflavoured whey protein powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup Swerve Sweetener
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup almond milk
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Make the caramel sauce as directed in the recipe and let cool while preparing the cake.
- Preheat oven to 325F and grease a bundt pan well (this could also be made in a 9-inch springform pan).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together almond flour, protein powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter until smooth. Add Swerve and beat until lighter and well-combined, about 2 minutes.
- Beat in eggs, scraping down beaters and sides of bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Beat in vanilla extract.
- Beat in half of the almond flour mixture, then beat in almond milk. Beat in remaining almond flour mixture until well combined.
- Spread half the mixture in the prepared pan and use the back of a spoon to create a channel in the center of the batter, all the way around the bundt pan (if using a springform pan, simply create slightly higher sides around the edges of the pan.
- Pour half of the caramel sauce into the channel (or spread half over the batter in the springform pan). Sprinkle with ¼ cup pecans.
- Top with remaining batter and spread evenly with offset spatula to cover caramel and pecans.
- Bake 35 to 45 minutes, or until cake is golden brown and just firm to the touch. A tester inserted in the center should come out clean (except for some caramel sauce!).
- Remove and let cool 10 minutes then flip out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Drizzle with remaining caramel and pecans.
Karen Favorite says
This turned out so good! Tender, moist cake, but the caramel tunnel AND topping is to die for! Definitely going to have it with my coffee in the morning.
Thanks for yet another winner, Carolyn!
Roberta says
Does this need to be refrigerated?
Carolyn says
It’s fine on the counter for up to 3 days.
Don says
I’ve not tried this recipe yet, but I looks delicious.
Just one question, can the whey protein powder be substituted or left out?
Thanks
Carolyn says
You can substitute egg white protein powder or plant based protein powder. But if you leave it out, the cake won’t rise as nicely.
Janae says
Hi Carolyn, I have mine in the oven as I write this and I can’t wait for it to be done! I’ve tried many of your recipes and haven’t been disappointed yet, so thank you. Question though: I’m sorry if I missed it in the post, but what is your recommendation for storing this cake?
Tiffany says
Carolyn,
I love all of your recipes, but I am having such a hard time with caramel sauce.
I get one minute into boiling and it starts to smoke…I stopped the last batch very early and just chanced it, but it is dark, not the beautiful golden color like yours.. I make sure to keep my heat down to med low, any lower and it will not do more than a simmer.. I use pretty heavy nonstick pans from Tramontina.. could that be the culprit? Too much heat conduction? Please help..I need caramel in my life.
Carolyn says
The smoking is not a sign that it’s burning. It happens frequently with erythritol, although when I do the combo of Swerve and Bocha Sweet, it doesn’t do this. What sweeteners are you using? Are you using the Swerve Brown? Because that will help with colour and flavour.
Tamera Alexander says
Carolyn, will Swerve Brown “sugar” sub well for coconut sugar in this recipe? I’m thinking it might since you say that the coconut sugar lends a brown sugar taste. ??
Carolyn says
yes, it should! The only problem is that with all erythritol, the sauce may firm up and recrystallize more.
Tamera Alexander says
Ah yes! True. Thank you. I’ll grab coconut sugar tomorrow! Appreciate you. I passed your website on to five more gals today at lunch. They’re excited. They thought keto would be boring. Not when we can have treats like this!
patti says
Want to make this!! But don’t have a Bundt pan…gonna try square pan. Any thoughts?
Carolyn, thank you so much for all your wonderful recipes- every on is wonderful and make
Eating low carb a delight. Blessings!!
Carolyn says
I think if you read the comments, others have done a different baking pan as well.
joan says
I made this today. Oh, my–so good. That caramel sauce was delicious in itself. The cake, all gooey with sauce, was absolutely delicious. This recipe is a keeper.
Eileen says
Second year in a row we’ve made this for Father’s Day breakfast. Kids remembered it from last year, and actually demanded it! Yes, it’s that good. And, of course, Daddy is pleased, too! Home run.
Carolyn says
Wonderful!
GRE says
WELL…NICE.
Susan White says
I have located coconut sugar to pick up at a local store and have everything else ready to try this, except — I keep unsweetened coconut milk on hand for smoothies. Could that substitute for almond milk?
Thank you for all your wonderful recipes. Your website is a treasure!
Carolyn says
Yes, the coconut milk should be fine!
Derrick says
Looks like a great recipe and fairly easy to make compared to most low carb desserts. I am going to share it on my Facebook Page and Pinterest. Thanks!
Armoni says
This turned out great, it didn’t last long. Thank you so much for having such a wonderful website. I used the caramel sauce in my low carb butter pecan ice cream
Carolyn says
Thanks! Sounds delicious, I put caramel sauce on my ice cream too!