Sour Cream Coffee Cake is a perfect start to a weekend or holiday morning! This classic recipe is a family favorite (and family recipe) that’s moist, sweet and topped with a streusel topping and ripple in the middle!
I have started Christmas morning with this coffee cake every year since I was a child.
It’s a family favorite originally served by my Grandmother, then my mom and now me.
There’s something so cozy about a brown sugary coffee cake with a steaming hot cup of coffee to start the day.
We trade off between this, Banana Coffee Cake, Blueberry Coffee Cake and fresh Peach Coffee Cake throughout the year.
But on Christmas morning, it has to be this Sour Cream Coffee Cake!
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
This recipe is straight out of my Grandmother’s recipe box. It’s a recipe that is tried and tested in many decades of holiday mornings and brunches.
Coffee cake is usually a simple sweet breakfast cake with basic baking ingredients.
This version includes sour cream which makes the cake extra moist.
The streusel ripple in the middle and on top make it extra special.
What is Streusel Topping?
This classic topping is the finishing touch perfect on top of muffins, pies, breads and cakes.
It’s a mixture of butter, brown sugar, and a bit of flour. Often spices and nuts are included too.
When cooked it makes a crumbly texture on top and adds a nice sweet crunch.
This recipe uses cinnamon and walnuts!
Recipe Ingredients + Notes
Flour – regular All Purpose Flour or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend can be used for this recipe. I recommend Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Flour Blend if making the recipe gluten-free.
Baking Soda and Baking Powder – both are used for making the cake rise.
Salt
Granulated Sugar – used to sweetened the cake.
Unsalted Butter – this is used both in the cake and the streusel topping.
Eggs
Vanilla – adds homey flavor!
Cinnamon – adds some warming homey flavor to the streusel topping.
Brown Sugar – the star of the topping! For a sweet crunch.
Walnuts – chopped and added to the streusel for a delicious flavor and texture. Pecans can be substituted too.
What Kind of Pan to Use for Coffee Cake?
I have my Grandmother’s pan which is a tube pan (shorter than an angel food cake pan) with removable sides.
Use an angel food cake pan or similar tube pan. Choose one that allows the sides to be removed or the bottom to be pushed up through the top opening.
Tried and Tested Recipe
This recipes has been made with regular all purpose flour, gluten-free flour, at sea level and at altitude with great results!
How to Make it – Step-by-Step
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an angel food pan or tube pan with removable bottom with non-stick spray.
STEP 2: Sift together the dry ingredients in a large bowl: add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt (photos 1-2). You can use a sifter or a sieve as shown below.
STEP 3: Cream together the butter and granulated sugar with a mixer (photo 3) until it’s light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time (photo 4). Add the vanilla (photo 5).
STEP 4: Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients (photo 6). Stir in the sour cream a little at a time (photo 7) and mix together (photo 8).
How to Make Streusel Topping
STEP 5: In a small bowl mix the brown sugar and butter together with a fork (photo 9-10). Stir in the flour, cinnamon and nuts; mix together (photo 11-12).
STEP 6: Spoon half of the cake batter into the prepared baking pan (photo 13). Cover with half of the streusel mixture (photo 14).
Repeat with the remaining batter on top (photo 15) and streusel on top (photo 16).
STEP 7: Bake for 45 minutes on 350 degrees. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees and bake an additional 15 minutes or until an inserted toothpick or cake tester comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and place on a cooling wire rack for 15 minutes before removing the sides of the pan. Allow to cool fully. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Storing Leftovers
Wrap snugly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Warm slices for a few seconds in the microwave before serving.
More Breakfast Recipes to serve with It
- Muffin Tin Denver Omelet
- Easy Breakfast Enchilada Casserole
- Easy Shakshuka Recipe (Poached Eggs in Spicy Tomato Sauce)
- Crustless Quiche
- Easy Coffee Cake
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Jennifer says
The Recipe That Saved Christmas!
Ever since I moved to Denver in 2000 and my parents followed a few years later, our Christmas has been without our traditional sour cream coffee cake. Our old recipe never seems to work at altitude – the streusel sinks to the bottom among other “just not right” results. I tried a few modifications but they never turned out right – until I found this recipe and all was right with the world again. Thank you!
Toni Dash says
I’m delighted! We make this recipe every year. Here’s to ‘old’ recipes that have spanned generations.
katrina Kroeplin says
oh yes, this looks amazing. i would love to make it.
Sara Welch says
What a great way to start my day! This will pair perfectly with my morning cup of coffee; delicious!
Jen says
The sour cream really does make it moist! Let’s just say, my kids were not disappointed at breakfast this morning. They’re already asking if I’ll make it again this weekend.
Catalina says
I love the texture of this coffee cake! I need to make it for my family! I am sure everyone will love it!
Vikki says
So moist and tasty, perfect way to start the day!
Katie says
This is one of our favorites! So incredibly tasty!!
Heather says
I’ve been wanting a coffee cake for a while now. I can’t wait to make this!
Fatima Torres says
I’m not a fan of coffee, but a coffee cake? I’d have any day!
Kathy says
Coffee cake has always been a favorite of mine. It’s been so long since I had it. I’ll be saving this and making it later. I can’t wait to have it.
Erin says
I know for sure this Sour Cream Coffee Cake would be a huge hit in my house!
Dorothy Reinhold says
There is something so good about a coffee cake. I always thought the topping was my favorite part. Now I think it is the ripple!
Tara Pittman says
It has been a long time since I enjoyed coffee cake. I should try and make this with dairy free ingredients
Brianne says
Oh, yes. I need that in my life. I love that ribbon of sweetness going through the center, and I love that it’s made with sour cream. Sour cream makes every baked goog better.
Marlynn says
Such a fun idea to bake this in a tube pan or angel food cake pan. Delicious with a steaming hot cup of coffee!
Tara says
Yum! Definitely the perfect coffee cake for a holiday morning. That texture looks perfect! Can see why it is a family favorite.
Emmeline says
This cake looks amazing. Saved it to my christmas list, I think my family will be very happy!
Lizet says
Oh, that looks amazing!! I’m drooling. I’m making it for my family this afternoon. Can’t wait to have it with my tea!
Tawnie Kroll says
I made this over the weekend and it was so amazing. Thank you for the keeper recipe!
Betsy says
That delicious layer of cinnamon and sugar goodness in the middle really makes this coffee cake amazing! Sour cream is so wonderful, isn’t it? The way it moistens and adds a lovely tang and helps give lift to baked goods? Great coffee cake!
Matt Taylor says
This coffee cake is so awesome, super easy to make too. Love it!
Beth says
Yummy! This looks so delicious and tasty! My family is going to love this recipe! So excited to make this!
wessel says
The perfect compliment to my cup of coffee this morning! Monday is getting off to a good start!
Lauren Kelly says
Adding sour cream is a game changer! It’s so moist and delicious!