Name: Vegan Coffee Cake (Starbucks Copycat) Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 60 g light brown sugar (light muscovado); 60 g dark brown sugar (dark muscovado); 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (adjust to 1 tbsp if preferred); 100 g all-purpose flour; 80 g cold vegan butter (block-style); 118 ml soy milk; 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar; 200 g granulated sugar; 115 g vegan butter (block-style, room temperature); 160 g vegan Greek-style yogurt (or vegan sour cream); 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 240 g all-purpose flour (sifted); 2 teaspoons baking powder; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon sea salt; 90 g powdered sugar; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons soy milk

Jump to Recipe· 3.8 from 42 reviews

If you’ve ever found yourself craving that perfect slice of coffee cake from your favorite café, I have some exciting news for you! This Vegan Coffee Cake (Starbucks Copycat) Recipe brings the same comforting flavors, tender crumb, and irresistible cinnamon crumb topping right into your kitchen—all without any animal products. It’s fluffy, buttery, and just sweet enough to brighten any morning or afternoon coffee break. I promise, once you try this, you’ll want to keep this recipe close for every cozy moment.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A square wooden baking pan filled with a dessert layer topped with a crumbly brown mixture covering most of the surface, with some light cream-colored bits visible under the crumbs. The pan is placed on a rustic wooden surface with a light and worn look. Two beige glasses with light-colored drinks are blurred in the background. There is a small black circle with the number 5 in white at the top left corner of the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Don’t let the ingredient list intimidate you—these elements are simple yet essential, each contributing to the wonderful balance of flavor, texture, and gorgeous golden color in the finished cake. From the rich brown sugars adding depth, to the tangy vegan buttermilk that ensures a tender crumb, this is a recipe that celebrates straightforward, quality ingredients.

Light brown sugar (60 g): Adds subtle sweetness and moisture using light muscovado for that mild molasses flavor.
Dark brown sugar (60 g): Offers a deeper caramel note—dark muscovado is perfect if you want a richer taste.
Ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon): The star spice in that classic crumb topping, infusing warmth and spice.
All-purpose flour (340 g total, divided): The base for both the cake and topping, sifted for a light texture.
Vegan butter (cold and room temperature, 80 g + 115 g): The cold butter creates that perfect crumbly topping, while the softened butter makes the cake batter wonderfully smooth.
Soy milk (118 ml + 2 tablespoons): Used to mimic buttermilk and also in the glaze for a creamy finish.
Apple cider vinegar (2 teaspoons): Reacts with baking soda to create a tender, fluffy cake texture.
Granulated sugar (200 g): Sweetens the cake batter for that classic coffee cake sweetness.
Vegan Greek-style yogurt (160 g): Or vegan sour cream, adding tang and moisture that makes the crumb irresistible.
Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon + ½ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors in both the cake and the glaze.
Baking powder (2 teaspoons): The rising agent that helps this cake lift perfectly.
Baking soda (¼ teaspoon): Works with vinegar to keep the cake extra fluffy.
Sea salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors.
Powdered sugar (90 g): For the glossy, sweet glaze that puts the finishing touch on this coffee cake.

How to Make Vegan Coffee Cake (Starbucks Copycat) Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Setup

Start by preheating your oven to 160°C fan-forced or 180°C conventional—getting the temperature right is key to that perfect bake. Then grease an 8-inch cake pan with vegan butter or oil, and line it with parchment paper strips with some overhang. This parchment sling is a lifesaver for lifting your cake out without a mess. While you do this, mix the soy milk and apple cider vinegar to create your vegan buttermilk—set it aside to curdle just enough for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Crumb Topping

In a medium bowl, whisk the light and dark brown sugars with flour and cinnamon for a bakers blend that’s full of fragrant spice. Then grate or finely dice cold butter into the bowl and work it into the dry mix with your fingers until you get a crumbly texture. Pop this crumb topping into the fridge to keep it cool if your kitchen feels warm—it’s the highlight crunch of the Vegan Coffee Cake (Starbucks Copycat) Recipe.

Step 3: Whip Together the Wet Ingredients

Use a mixer to cream the room temperature vegan butter with granulated sugar until this mixture is light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. Then add in the vegan yogurt and vanilla extract, blending gently to merge all the creamy goodness. Keep the vegan buttermilk jug close for the next mixing stage.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour with baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. This dry mix is the backbone of your cake’s lift and flavor balance.

Step 5: Fold Batter Together

Now comes the fun part—alternately add the vegan buttermilk and dry mixture to the wet ingredients in two increments each. Fold carefully with a spatula, just until you can’t see any pockets of flour. The key here is to stop before overmixing to keep that tender crumb. The batter will be thick and luscious, ideal for layering.

Step 6: Assemble Your Cake Layers

Pour about one-third of the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Evenly sprinkle half of your cinnamon crumb topping over it, then carefully add the remaining batter, spreading it all the way to the edges. Top everything off with the rest of the crumb mixture—the dual layers of crumble inside and out will make this cake unforgettable.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the pan into the oven for 35-40 minutes and watch as the top transforms into a golden, cinnamon-speckled delight. To check doneness, pierce the center with a toothpick or knife—it should come out clean, signaling your cake is perfectly baked.

Step 8: Cool Before the Grand Finale

Allow your cake to rest in the pan for 15-20 minutes to settle before you use the parchment sling to transfer it to a cooling rack. Cooling is essential so the glaze doesn’t melt right off but instead settles beautifully on the surface.

Step 9: Prepare and Drizzle the Glaze

Mix powdered sugar with vanilla and soy milk until silky smooth, then generously drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled cake. This final touch adds that signature shiny sweetness that we all love in the Starbucks clone version.

How to Serve Vegan Coffee Cake (Starbucks Copycat) Recipe

The image shows a thick square cake cut into pieces on a round white marble board. The cake has three visible layers: a golden yellow base layer, a thin dark brown middle layer, and a top crumbly brown layer covered with a white icing drizzle in a grid pattern. Two pieces are separated from the main cake, showing the soft texture inside. The white icing also slightly drips down the side of the cake. The background is a white marbled texture with blurred cinnamon sticks and a single cake piece in the distance. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

When serving your Vegan Coffee Cake (Starbucks Copycat) Recipe, consider a light dusting of extra cinnamon or a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans to enhance the texture and add a nutty twist. Fresh berries make for a beautiful, colorful contrast and elevate the visual appeal.

Side Dishes

This cake is a perfect partner to a hot cup of your favorite coffee or tea. A scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a side of dairy-free whipped cream elevates it into an indulgent treat. For brunch, pair it with fresh fruit and plant-based yogurt for a balanced and inviting spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to impress your guests? Serve the cake in individual slices on stylish plates with a drizzle of homemade vegan caramel or a side of berry compote. Layer small slices with vegan cream cheese frosting to create mini cake parfaits. Presentation can make this coffee cake the star of any occasion!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap your leftover Vegan Coffee Cake (Starbucks Copycat) Recipe tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. If your kitchen is warm, refrigeration helps it last up to a week—just remember to bring it back to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully! Slice it first for easier thawing, then wrap individual pieces well in parchment and foil or store in a sealed container. When you’re ready to enjoy, defrost slices at room temperature for a couple of hours for that freshly baked feel.

Reheating

To warm your cake, a quick zap in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or a few minutes in a low oven will bring back that soft, cozy texture—just like it’s fresh out of the oven. Adding a little vegan butter or glaze after reheating can revive that luscious richness.

FAQs

Can I use plant-based milk besides soy milk?

Absolutely! While soy milk works best here to mimic the creaminess of buttermilk, other plant milks like oat or almond will work fine. Just make sure to mix with vinegar and let it sit to curdle before adding to the batter.

Is it possible to make this dairy-free coffee cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend. Be sure the blend contains xanthan gum or another binder for structure. You might need to adjust baking time slightly and keep an eye on moisture levels.

Can I substitute the vegan Greek-style yogurt?

If you can’t find vegan Greek-style yogurt, vegan sour cream or a thick plant-based yogurt works wonderfully in this recipe. They provide the moisture and tanginess that make the cake tender.

How do I prevent the crumb topping from sinking?

Keeping your butter cold and rubbing it quickly into the dry ingredients helps create that perfect crumbly texture that holds its shape during baking. Also, layering the crumble on top and in the middle gently ensures it stays distinct after baking.

Will this cake stay moist for several days?

Yes! Thanks to the vegan butter and yogurt, this coffee cake maintains a moist crumb for days. Just store it properly in an airtight container and, if refrigerated, bring it to room temperature before enjoying to regain softness.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Coffee Cake (Starbucks Copycat) Recipe is genuinely one of my all-time favorites to share with friends who crave something rich, comforting, and 100% plant-based. It nails that classic coffee cake experience with a tender, fluffy crumb sprinkled with cinnamon sugar goodness and finished with a sweet glaze. So go ahead, grab your ingredients and treat yourself to a homemade slice of cozy heaven—you deserve it!