Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Steps and instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and sour cream until light and fluffy.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
  6. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and all-purpose flour. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped nuts if desired.
  7. Spoon half of the batter into the prepared cake pan. Sprinkle half of the brown sugar mixture on top. Repeat the layers with the remaining batter and brown sugar mixture.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Tools for making

  • Mixing Bowl - A large bowl to mix the ingredients together.
  • Electric Mixer - Used to cream the butter, sugar, and sour cream together until fluffy.
  • Spatula - For scraping the sides of the bowl and folding in the dry ingredients.
  • Whisk - To beat the eggs and combine the wet ingredients.
  • 9-inch Round Cake Pan - The pan in which the cake will be baked.
  • Wire Rack - Used to cool the cake after baking.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons - For accurately measuring the ingredients.
  • Small Bowl - To combine the brown sugar and flour for the streusel topping.
  • Pastry Cutter or Fork - Used to cut the cold butter into the streusel mixture.
  • Toothpick - To test the doneness of the cake.

Recipe overview

Welcome to our delicious Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe! This classic coffee cake is moist, tender, and packed with a rich sour cream flavor. With a delightful crumb topping, it's the perfect treat to enjoy with a hot cup of coffee or tea. In this recipe, we'll guide you through the steps to make this mouthwatering cake from scratch. You'll start by preparing the batter with a combination of all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, softened butter, sour cream, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. The batter is then layered in a cake pan with a cinnamon-sugar mixture, creating a beautiful swirl effect. Once baked to perfection, the cake is allowed to cool before being dusted with powdered sugar, adding an elegant touch. The result is a heavenly coffee cake that's ideal for breakfast, brunch, or as a delightful dessert. So, grab your ingredients and get ready to create a delectable Sour Cream Coffee Cake that will impress your family and friends. Let's get started with the recipe!

TimeApprox. 40 min
ServingsThis recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
CaloriesApprox. 400
Print recipe

Common questions

  1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter? Yes, you can use salted butter instead of unsalted butter in this recipe. However, you may want to reduce the amount of salt added to the recipe to balance the flavors.
  2. Can I substitute the sour cream with something else? If you don't have sour cream, you can substitute it with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt. The texture and taste might be slightly different, but it will still work well in the recipe.
  3. Can I omit the nuts? Yes, the chopped nuts are optional in this recipe. If you prefer a nut-free coffee cake, you can simply omit them without affecting the overall outcome.
  4. Can I make this recipe in a different pan size? While the recipe is designed for a 9-inch round cake pan, you can adjust the pan size if needed. Keep in mind that the baking time may vary depending on the size and depth of the pan. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on the cake and use a toothpick to test for doneness.
  5. Can I freeze this coffee cake? Yes, this sour cream coffee cake can be frozen. Ensure it is fully cooled, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Mixing Bowl - A large bowl for mixing the cake batter.
  • Cake Pan - A 9-inch round cake pan for baking the coffee cake.
  • Wire Rack - A rack used for cooling the cake after baking.
  • Spatula - A utensil for scraping the sides of the bowl and transferring the batter to the cake pan.
  • Measuring Cups - Utensils used to measure the exact amounts of flour, sugar, butter, milk, and sour cream.
  • Measuring Spoons - Utensils used to measure precise amounts of vanilla extract, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Whisk - A utensil used for whisking together the wet and dry ingredients.
  • Toothpick - Used to check if the cake is fully baked by inserting it into the center.
  • Sifter - Optional, but helpful for sifting the powdered sugar for dusting.

Origin stories

Sour cream coffee cake is a type of cake that originated in Eastern Europe and has since become popular in many parts of the world. It is believed to have been influenced by traditional European pastry and baking techniques. The addition of sour cream in the recipe gives the cake a moist and tender texture, while adding a tangy flavor. Over the years, different variations and toppings have been created, making it a versatile and beloved treat for coffee and cake lovers alike.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.

As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commission from qualifying purchases after you click on affiliate product links (thanks for that). But we hope the links will be relevant and beneficial to you as well.

Get popular new recipes in your Inbox once a week.