Easy Gluten Free Berry Crumble Cake (Dairy-Free)

Enjoy berries this summer in this perfect Berry Crumble Cake that is made completely gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free. Packed with fresh blueberries and blackberries, this moist snack cake is topped off with the perfect crumble!

This is a delicious and easy summer dessert filled with some of my favorite flavors and textures. The soft cake is complimented by the juicy berries and crunchy crumble topping. I like using a mix of blueberries and blackberries for this recipe, but you can use whatever berries you love. You can certainly turn this cake into a straight blackberry, raspberry, or blueberry crumb cake!

What Makes This Gluten Free Berry Cake Special

• It's healthy! Made without gluten, dairy, or refined sugars it's a lower sugar cake recipe made without inflammatory ingredients. We use coconut sugar and maple syrup instead of highly refined white sugar. And we use a fraction of the added sweetener that most cakes call for, making this a much healthier berry crumb cake recipe.
• This berry crumble cake uses applesauce to cut down on the amount of oil needed, making it a lower fat and lower calorie option.
• It's super easy recipe to make that is perfect for summer BBQ's, summer holidays like fourth of July, or just for afternoon snacking with a scoop of ice cream. It does resemble a fruity coffee cake, so it would be perfect with a morning cup of coffee too.
• We use fresh berries to highlight the flavors of summer. Fresh, in season berries are naturally so sweet, so this recipe is sure to please your sweet tooth!

Gluten Free Berry Crumble Cake Ingredients

• Gluten free flour: be sure to use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum
• Tigernut flour or almond flour: I find it best to use a mix of gluten-free flours in gluten-free baking for the best outcome. Tigernut flour is a nut free alternative to almond flour, but either will work.
• Coconut sugar: the unrefined sweetener used in the cake base.
• Coconut oil: the main fat source in this healthy gluten free cake.
• Applesauce: this replaces half the fat in the recipe for a healthier alternative, adding moisture and fluff to the cake.
• Eggs: 2 large eggs help us get a fluffy cake with good rise!
• Yogurt: you can use dairy free or regular yogurt (try Greek yogurt for a protein boost), this helps keep this gluten free berry crumble cake moist with a tender crumb.
• Milk: your favorite dairy free or regular milk will work.
• Maple syrup: the unrefined sweetener used in the crumble topping.
• Mixed berries: I love to use a combination of blueberries and blackberries, but use whatever types of berries are your favorite.
• Baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, vanilla extract: be sure to use an aluminum free baking powder like one I have linked (which is also corn free!)

How to Make Gluten Free Berry Cake

1. Mix all ingredients for the topping together in a small bowl until you have a crumble texture that holds together when pinched. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper.
3. Whisk together all of the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.
4. In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, beat together the oil and sugar in a large bowl on medium speed until smooth. Add the remaining wet ingredients and beat to combine.
5. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined (use the paddle attachment if using a stand mixer).
6. Toss the berries with 1 tablespoon of flour to coat. Use a rubber spatula to fold berries into the cake batter.
7. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top of the batter. Crumble the streusel topping evenly over the top of the cake.
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
9. Let the cake cool and enjoy!

Substitutions and Variations

• Fat: this recipe should also work with butter (regular or vegan butter). I have not tested this cake with olive oil.
• Baking: although I generally bake this cake in a square pan, you could certainly use a round cake pan or even a springform pan. I haven't tried making this in a loaf pan, but that should work, you may just need to bake it for longer.
• Berry variations: pick and choose which berries you want to use, any variety or combination will work! Try gluten-free blueberry cake or throw some raspberries into the mix.
• Toppings: once cooled, top the cake with powdered sugar or drizzle on a simple homemade glaze (just mix a small amount of yogurt with powdered sugar and lemon juice). You could even add a little lemon zest to the batter for more lemon flavor.

Tips for Making the Best Gluten Free Berry Crumble Cake

• Make sure to use room temperature ingredients! Coconut oil is very temperature sensitive and it will seize up if you mix it with cold ingredients. Make sure things like your eggs and applesauce are at room temperature. Add the yogurt and milk last so even if they are cold, it will be okay.
• Don't over mix the batter! For best results with gluten free baking, you never want to over mix batter. Mix until just combined and in this case, until there are a few flour streaks remaining. That will get fully incorporated when you fold in the berries.
• Don't over bake the cake! Gluten free baked goods dry out fast, so for a moist crumb, pull the cake out right before you think it's done. It will continue to cook aa little as it cools. This goes for most gluten free recipes.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Storing this cake in the fridge will keep the crumb topping crunchier, as it will soften as it absorbs moisture from the cake. If you store it in the fridge, let slices come to room temperature for the best flavor before serving (with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, of course!).

FAQ

Can I use frozen berries?

I have not tried using frozen berries in this recipe, although I think it would work. Frozen berries will give off liquid as they bake, so you may need to bake this cake a little longer.

More Gluten Free Berry Recipes

If you love berries as much as me and are looking for more delicious berry recipes, check these gluten free treats out:

Blueberry Crumble Cookies

Blueberry Oat Muffins

Raspberry Crumble Muffins

Strawberry Bread

Dairy Free Blueberry Cheesecake

Paleo Strawberry Peach Crumble