Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake

All the flavor of a cinnamon roll in an easy keto coffee cake! This sugar free, gluten free and nut free coffee cake has a cinnamon filling, streusel topping and creamy glaze with just 4 grams of net carbs per slice and 10 grams of protein.

Keto Coffee Cake

I made this brand-new Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake over the weekend for my mom’s 81st birthday, and everyone loved it!

It has all the cozy flavor of a classic cinnamon roll, but there is no yeast, no rolling dough and no waiting for anything to rise. 

A buttery cinnamon layer runs through the middle of a soft, tender coffee cake, while a cinnamon streusel and easy cream cheese glaze make every slice feel worthy of a celebration.

Best of all, this beautiful cake is sugar free, low carb, keto friendly, gluten free and made without almond flour. Each generous slice has 10 grams of protein and just 4 grams of net carbs!

Why You’ll Love This Keto Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake

• All the flavor of a cinnamon roll:  You get a buttery brown-sweetener filling, plenty of cinnamon and a sweet cream cheese glaze in every slice.
• No yeast required: The batter gets its lift from eggs and baking powder, so there is no kneading, rolling or rise time.
• Low carb and keto friendly:  Each slice has just 4 grams of net carbs.
• Sugar free: Liquid vanilla stevia, monk fruit allulose brown sweetener and sugar-free maple syrup replace refined sugar.
• Gluten free and almond flour free: Sunflower seed flour and coconut flour create a tender crumb without wheat flour, almond flour or ground almonds.
• Perfect for sharing: One 8-inch cake makes 12 slices, ideal for a birthday, brunch, holiday breakfast or afternoon coffee.

What Is a Keto Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake?

Cinnamon roll coffee cake combines two favorite treats in one easy recipe. It has the soft crumb and streusel topping of a traditional coffee cake, plus the warm cinnamon filling and cream cheese glaze you expect from a cinnamon roll.

Despite the name, most coffee cake does not contain coffee. It is called coffee cake because it is meant to be served with a cup of coffee or tea. 

If you are looking for a cake that actually has coffee in it, try my Sugar Free Low Carb Espresso Coffee Cake.

Is Coffee Cake Keto?

Traditional coffee cake is made with white flour and sugar, so it is usually too high in carbohydrates for a keto diet. This keto coffee cake uses sunflower seed flour, coconut flour and low carb sweeteners instead.

One slice has 10 grams of total carbohydrates and 6 grams of fiber, which comes to 4 grams of net carbs per serving.

It also provides 10 grams of protein. As always, check the labels on your sweeteners and sugar-free syrup because nutrition can vary between brands.

Nut Free Coffee Cake Without Almond Flour

Many keto cake recipes rely on almond flour, but this recipe is made with sunflower seed flour and coconut flour. That makes it a wonderful choice for anyone avoiding almonds or looking for a nut-free low carb dessert.

Sunflower seed flour has a mild taste and can create a soft, satisfying cake crumb. If a sunflower seed flour cake ever develops a harmless green tint after baking, do not worry. 

That is a natural reaction that can occur between sunflower seeds and a leavening ingredient such as baking powder. It does not affect the flavor.

If you are baking for someone with an allergy, always check every ingredient label for possible cross-contact. Some schools and allergy organizations also classify coconut separately from tree nuts, while others do not, so use the ingredients that are appropriate for your family’s needs.

Best Low Carb Sweeteners for Coffee Cake

The cake batter is sweetened with liquid vanilla stevia, which provides sweetness without adding bulk. The cinnamon filling uses a monk fruit allulose brown sweetener for a brown-sugar-style flavor and a softer texture.

Allulose works especially well in baked goods because it keeps them moist. A brown monk fruit and erythritol blend can also be used, but erythritol may create a slightly firmer texture and a cooling sensation once the cake has chilled.

Sweetener brands vary greatly in sweetness, so use the conversion instructions on your package rather than assuming every product measures cup for cup. 

My Natural Sugar-Free Low Carb Sweeteners Guide and Conversion Chart  can help you choose the best option.

How to Make Keto Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake

Prepare the Cinnamon Filling

In a small bowl, stir together the monk fruit allulose brown sweetener, cinnamon and sunflower seed flour. Keep the melted butter in a separate bowl so it is ready when you assemble the cake.

Make the Streusel Topping

Combine the coconut flour, melted and cooled unsalted butter, optional sugar-free maple syrup, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Mix until moist crumbs form, then set the streusel aside.

Mix the Cake Batter

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of an 8-inch round springform pan with parchment paper, then grease the paper and sides of the pan with butter.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the room-temperature eggs until pale and fluffy. Add the melted and cooled butter, Greek yogurt, heavy cream or unsweetened almond milk, vanilla extract and liquid stevia. Whisk until combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the sunflower seed flour, coconut flour and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and blend until a smooth batter forms. Let the batter rest for 2–3 minutes so the coconut flour can absorb the liquid.

Layer the Cake

Spread half of the batter in the prepared pan and level it with a spatula.

Brush the surface with the reserved melted butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon filling evenly over the top, leaving about 1/2 inch clear around the edge.

Spoon the remaining batter over the cinnamon layer and spread it gently so the filling stays in place. Scatter the streusel topping evenly over the cake.

Bake and Cool

Bake for 45–50 minutes, checking the cake after 40 minutes. It is ready when a toothpick or thin skewer inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

If the streusel is browning too quickly, loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil without sealing the edges.

The cake will feel very soft when it first comes out of the oven, but it will firm as it cools. Let it cool completely before releasing the springform pan.

Add the Cream Cheese Glaze

It’s totally optional but does make this taste more like a cinnamon roll.

When you are ready to serve, mix the softened cream cheese with the sugar-free maple vanilla syrup.

If needed, add unsweetened coconut milk 1 teaspoon at a time until the glaze is thin enough to drizzle. Spoon it over the completely cooled coffee cake.

Tips for the Best Keto Coffee Cake

• Use room-temperature eggs and yogurt. They combine more easily and help the batter bake evenly.
• Cool the melted butter. Hot butter can curdle the eggs or make the batter look separated.
• Measure coconut flour carefully. It is extremely absorbent, and adding too much can make the cake dry.
• Let the batter rest.  A short 2–3 minute rest gives the coconut flour time to absorb the wet ingredients.
• Leave a border around the filling. Keeping the cinnamon mixture away from the edge helps the two cake layers seal together.
• Check the cake early. Ovens and pans vary, so start checking at 40 minutes with a toothpick.
• Do not overbake. The hot cake is supposed to feel soft. It becomes firmer as it cools.
• Cool before glazing. Cream cheese glaze will melt and disappear into a warm cake.

Ingredient Swaps and Substitutions

Can I Replace Sunflower Seed Flour With Almond Flour?

Finely ground blanched almond flour is the closest substitute for sunflower seed flour. You can try the same volume, but almond flour and sunflower seed flour do not always absorb liquid identically. 

Let the mixed batter rest before deciding whether the consistency needs adjusting. The batter should be thick but spreadable.

Using almond flour means the recipe will no longer be nut free. Do not use coarse almond meal if you want the softest cake texture.

Can I Replace the Coconut Flour?

Coconut flour is uniquely absorbent and cannot be replaced cup for cup with almond flour, sunflower seed flour or another keto flour.

Changing it would require rebalancing the eggs, fat and other liquids, so I do not recommend replacing or omitting it in this recipe.

Can I Use Sour Cream Instead of Greek Yogurt?

Yes. Plain low fat Greek yogurt and sour cream can be used in equal amounts. Full-fat Greek yogurt should also work, although it may make the cake slightly richer. Do not use flavored or sweetened yogurt.

Can I Replace the Heavy Cream?

Yes. Use the same amount of unsweetened almond milk or unsweetened coconut milk in place of the heavy cream. Because the recipe needs only 1 tablespoon, the difference in the finished cake will be minimal.

Can I Use a Different Sweetener?

You can replace the liquid vanilla stevia with another concentrated liquid stevia or monk fruit sweetener, adjusting to taste and according to the manufacturer’s conversion chart.

For the filling, use a brown low carb sweetener that measures like the monk fruit allulose blend.

A brown erythritol blend will work, but it may make the filling slightly more granular once refrigerated. 

Avoid replacing the concentrated liquid sweetener in the cake with a large amount of a granulated product because that can change the volume and texture of the batter.

Can I Use Regular Maple Syrup?

Regular maple syrup contains sugar and will increase the carbohydrates, so it is not recommended if you want this recipe to remain sugar free and keto friendly. 

You can use another thick sugar-free maple syrup in the streusel and glaze. Check its nutrition label and sweetness before substituting.

Can I Make This Dairy Free?

This recipe contains butter, Greek yogurt or sour cream, heavy cream and cream cheese, so several swaps are required. 

You can experiment with a firm plant-based butter, thick unsweetened dairy-free yogurt, unsweetened coconut milk and dairy-free cream cheese. Because those products vary in water and fat content, the texture may not be exactly the same as the original recipe.

Can I Use a Different Pan?

An 8-inch round springform pan makes it easy to release the delicate cake without turning it upside down and disturbing the streusel. 

An 8-inch round cake pan may also work if it is deep enough and thoroughly lined, but removing the cake will be more difficult. A 9-inch pan will make a thinner cake that may bake more quickly, so begin checking it early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake Contain Coffee?

No. This cinnamon roll coffee cake does not contain brewed coffee or espresso powder. The name refers to a style of cake traditionally served with coffee.

Why Is My Keto Coffee Cake Batter So Thick?

Keto cake batter made with coconut flour is usually thicker than conventional cake batter. 

After the 2–3 minute rest, it should be thick but still easy to spread with a spatula. If it is dry and crumbly, first check that the coconut flour was measured correctly and that all wet ingredients were added.

How Do I Know When the Cake Is Done?

Insert a toothpick or thin skewer into the center of the cake. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter. Start checking after 40 minutes. Do not judge the cake by touch alone because it will still be very soft while hot.

Why Did My Sunflower Seed Flour Cake Turn Green?

Sunflower seed flour can sometimes react with baking powder and could develop a green tint as it cools. The color is harmless and does not mean the cake is spoiled.

But as you can see from my photos, my cake is not green.

Can I Make This Coffee Cake Ahead?

Yes. Bake the cake a day ahead, cool it completely and store it covered in the refrigerator. For the neatest presentation, wait to add the cream cheese glaze until shortly before serving.

How Should I Store the Cake?

Because of the cream cheese glaze, store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let a chilled slice sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving if you prefer a softer texture.

Can I Freeze Keto Coffee Cake?

Yes. Cool the cake completely, then freeze individual slices in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 2 months. For the best appearance, freeze the cake without the glaze and add freshly made glaze after thawing overnight in the refrigerator.

What Can I Serve With Keto Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake?

Serve it for breakfast, brunch or dessert with hot coffee or tea. 

Enjoy with my homemade breakfast sausage on the side, eggs or bacon.

For a special occasion spread, pair it with my Sugar Free Keto Cinnamon Rolls or Low Carb Keto Cinnamon Roll Sheet Pan Pancakes.

Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Coffee Cake