This retro-style sour cream coffee cake has great flavor with a delicious cinnamon-sugar ribbon throughout.
This tender, moist crumb cake is perfect for that mid-morning or afternoon cuppa. It’s perfect for when a friend or neighbor stops by and it freezes well!
A Fave Coffee Cake Recipe
A classic coffee cake does not contain coffee rather it is served alongside a cup of coffee (or tea)! I love this cake for its slightly dense yet moist and tender crumb (and delicious cinnamon flavor).
- This is one versatile recipe you’ll love, baked as a bundt cake and drizzled with an icing glaze.
- This easy-to-bake and take cake can be made the day before and shared at any party, picnic, or get-together!
- Simple ingredients that are probably already in the pantry and refrigerator mean this cake can be baked at the last minute!
- Serve this cake for dessert or with brunch, coffee or tea.
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- Sour cream gives this cake a tangy flavor and an ultra-moist ‘crumb.’ However, equal amounts of Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream for the same tangy, moist result.
- Use unsalted butter when baking. The amount of salt in salted butter can vary by brand so it’s best to use unsalted and add your own salt.
- All purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, large eggs, granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract make up the rest of the batter.
ADD-INS: This cake is perfect for add-ins because everything goes with the bright buttery vanilla flavor and the cinnamon streusel ribbon! Blueberries, chopped peeled apples, mini chocolate chips, toasted coconut, pecans, or walnuts are welcome additions to sour cream coffee cake!
PRO TIP: For best results, if using berries, toss them in flour before adding them to the batter so they don’t sink to the bottom of the cake pan.
How to Make Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Moist and delicious, this cake comes together like a dream! A buttery crumb with a cinnamon layer.
- Whisk together dry ingredients (except sugar). Whisk wet ingredients (except butter) in a separate bowl.
- Cream butter & sugar together in a bowl & alternate adding the wet/dry ingredients.
- Gently pour half of the cake batter into the pan & sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Cover with remaining batter. Bake until a wooden pick comes out clean.
Optional Icing Glaze: We love to top this cake with a little bit of vanilla icing/glaze.
What is a Bundt Pan?
A bundt pan is a round pan that usually has bumps or ridges like a bundt pan unlike a tube pan with smooth sides. The hole in the middle of the pan helps the cake bake evenly as the tube also conducts heat throughout the batter. You can find bundt pans here.
No bundt pan? Use a tube ban if you have one, a tube pan is a little bit bigger so the cake will be thinner (not as tall) and may need less time (check it early). The cake can also be baked in muffin tins, two 9-inch round pans, or loaf pans. Be sure not to fill any of the pans more than 1/2 to 2/3 full.
Serving Suggestions
Coffee cake is best stored in the fridge but it’s best served at room temperature. Remove the cake from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving.
I drizzle the cake with a glaze icing and serve it with a cup of hot coffee but it’s great with whipped cream, ice cream, and/or fruit.
How to Store Coffee Cake
- Keep sour cream coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze individual slices in zippered bags for up to one month. Take slices out and thaw them at room temperature.
- Use slices in easy overnight maple walnut French toast or make French toast sticks. Leftover slices can also be cut into cubes and used in a strawberry trifle.
Amazing Afternoon Treats
- Easy Cinnamon Bread – no yeast required
- Cream Cheese Pound Cake – melt-in-your-mouth
- Mini Chocolate Chip Scones – flaky and buttery
- Lemon Blueberry Cake – loaded with fresh berries
- Warm Apple Pie Bread – with cinnamon flavor
- Classic Pound Cake Recipe – with easy ingredients
- Lemon Pound Cake – so moist & citrusy!
Did you make this Sour Cream Coffee Cake? Leave us a rating and a comment below!
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
Cinnamon Sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
Cake
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs
- 1 ½ cups sour cream
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a bundt pan and set aside.
- Mix the cinnamon sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, & salt. In a separate bowl whisk eggs, sour cream, and vanilla.
- Combine sugar and butter in a medium bowl. Alternate adding the sour cream mixture and the flour mixture until combined. Do not overmix.
- Add half of the batter to the pan, sprinkle the cinnamon mixture on top, and cover with the remaining batter.
- Bake 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool the cake & drizzle with optional glaze (below) if desired.
Notes
- 5 tablespoons icing sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Do not overmix the batter.
- Grease the pan well to ensure the cake comes out easily.
- If using a dark bundt pan, the cake can cook quicker so be sure to check it early. Bake just until a toothpick comes out clean.
- If desired, you can make a thinner glaze or additional glaze to cover the cake.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!
Holly, I use a 6 cup bundt pan for smaller pound cakes, I was thinking of using it for the coffee cake. Should I cut the recipe in half or 3/4 from the 10-12 cup bundt pan? I look forward to trying this recipe. Looks delicious.
I’ve only tried this as written so I can’t say for sure. Let us know how it works out for you!
So easy and just delicious! Thank you for yet another winner recipe Holly !
I did add more cinnamon and brown sugar than called for because we are cinnamon freaks here! Yummo!
So glad you loved it Sherry!
Hi Holly. I love your recipes. If making the sour cream coffee cake I add diced apples. Do I mix them into the batter and what amount ?
Hi Donna, you will want to fold them into your batter in step 4, be careful not to overmix. I would add about 1 to 1 ½ cups of diced apples. We would love to hear how it turns out for you!
Hi Holly, I have to say that I love your recipes and tried quite a few of them. Regarding the above recipe, what size of bundt pan did you use for the coffee cake. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks and have a great day.
Hi Claudette, we use a standard 10″ bundt pan.
Can this be made in a13x9 pan?
I tested this in a 9×13 pan today and it did not work well, it took over 80 minutes to cook and the bake was very uneven. I do have another coffee cake recipe here that is baked in a 9″ square pan.
I have a question please. I do not have a bundt pan. But I do have a tube pan. When you explained the difference. You said if using a tube pan. The batter will be thinner. I’m guessing also a smaller cake. So, how would it be to double the recipe for a tube pan? Or if keeping the recipe as is. Could it be made in a 13×9 baking pan? Thank you.
A tube pan is a bit wider at the bottom so you might need a little bit less cooking time. Check with a toothpick and when it comes out clean, the cake is done. You would not need to double the batter (it would be too much).
I tested this in a 9×13 pan today and it did not work well, it took over 80 minutes to cook and the bake was very uneven.
I do have another coffee cake recipe here that is baked in a 9″ square pan.