Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of a freshly baked coffee cake wafting through your home. This Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping is a timeless classic, offering a perfectly moist, tender crumb beneath a irresistible cinnamon-sugar streusel. Get ready to bake pure comfort!

Why You’ll Love This Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe

• Incredibly Moist & Tender: The sour cream works magic, creating a wonderfully rich and fluffy cake texture that practically melts in your mouth.
• Perfect Crumb Topping: A generous layer of buttery, cinnamon-spiced streusel adds a delightful crunch and extra flavor to every bite.
• Simple to Master: Even if you’re a novice baker, this recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, promising success.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: Enjoy it for breakfast with your morning coffee, as an afternoon treat, or a simple yet elegant dessert.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: The classic combination of sweet cake and spiced topping appeals to everyone, making it perfect for gatherings.
• Warm, Inviting Aroma: Baking this cake fills your kitchen with the most comforting and nostalgic scents.
• Classic Comfort Food: This recipe brings a taste of tradition and cozy memories right to your table.

Ingredients Needed for Your Irresistible Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards baking bliss. We’ll need standard pantry staples for this delightful coffee cake with crumb topping.

• For the Crumb Topping:
  • 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Opt for fresh, aromatic cinnamon for the best flavor.
  • 1/4 cup (56g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces: Keeping the butter cold is crucial for a perfectly crumbly streusel.
• For the Cake:
  • 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened: Ensure it’s truly soft for a light and fluffy batter.
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs: Bring them to room temperature before baking for better emulsification.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract offers the richest flavor.
  • 1 cup (240g) sour cream: Full-fat sour cream provides the best moisture and richness.

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Essential Equipment for this Delicious Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Having the right tools makes baking this fantastic sour cream coffee cake a breeze. A few essentials will set you up for success!

• 9-inch square baking pan: This size ensures even baking and perfect slices every time.
• Mixing bowls: You’ll need at least two, one for dry ingredients and another for wet.
• Whisk: Essential for combining dry ingredients thoroughly and light mixing.
• Pastry blender or your fingers: Crucial for cutting cold butter into the crumb topping to achieve that signature streusel texture.
• Electric mixer: A stand mixer or hand mixer makes creaming butter and sugar effortless and efficient.
• Wooden skewer (or toothpick): Your secret weapon for checking if the cake is perfectly baked through.
• Wire rack: Allows your coffee cake to cool evenly, preventing any potential sogginess underneath.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Total Time: 55-65 minutes
• Servings: 9-12
• Difficulty: Easy-Medium

Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Perfect Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Let’s bake! Follow these detailed steps to create a truly exceptional sour cream coffee cake that will impress everyone.

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Topping

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan, ensuring the cake won’t stick.
2. Make the Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl, vigorously whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter pieces and cut them in using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture forms delightful, coarse crumbs. Set this irresistible topping aside.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

3. Make the Cake: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This ensures leavening agents are evenly distributed. Set this aside for a moment.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

4. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes wonderfully light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, incorporating each fully before adding the next. Stir in the aromatic vanilla extract.
5. In a small separate bowl, give the sour cream a quick whisk to ensure it’s smooth and lump-free.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Coffee Cake

6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the whisked sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined; be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough cake.
7. Pour the luscious batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
8. Generously sprinkle the reserved crumb topping evenly over the batter, ensuring every slice will get some of that crunchy goodness.
9. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. The top should be golden brown and fragrant. If it browns too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil.
10. Let your beautiful sour cream coffee cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

CHECK OUT: Pumpkin Coffee Cake – Another seasonal coffee cake delight you won’t want to miss.

Tips for Success with Your Sour Cream Coffee Cake

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for a smooth, emulsified batter and better rise.
• Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to a tough cake.
• Cold Butter for Crumb: Use very cold butter for the streusel to achieve distinct, crunchy crumbs, not a paste.
• Grease and Flour Properly: A well-prepared pan prevents sticking, ensuring your cake comes out beautifully.
• Test for Doneness: Use a wooden skewer or toothpick; it should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.

Variations & Substitutions for Your Sour Cream Coffee Cake

This Sour Cream Coffee Cake is wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to experiment with these ideas to suit your taste or dietary needs.

• Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum.
• Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free butter and a plant-based sour cream alternative for a dairy-free version.
• Lemon Zest: Add 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon zest to the cake batter for a bright, citrusy lift.
• Nutty Crunch: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumb topping for added texture and flavor.
• Chocolate Swirl: Mix a few tablespoons of mini chocolate chips into half of the cake batter and swirl it through the other half before adding the crumb topping.

Serving Suggestions for Your Sour Cream Coffee Cake

This delightful Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping shines on its own, but a few additions can elevate the experience even further.

• Coffee or Tea: It’s called coffee cake for a reason! A warm mug of your favorite brew is the perfect companion.
• Fresh Berries: A side of fresh strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries adds a lovely tart contrast.
• Whipped Cream: A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream makes it feel extra decadent.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve a warm slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful dessert.
• Orange Juice: A refreshing glass of orange juice can brighten up a breakfast spread.

Health Benefits of this Delightful Coffee Cake

While this Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping is a treat, it offers some noteworthy nutritional points.

• Energy Boost: Provides a good source of carbohydrates (40g) for sustained energy throughout your day.
• Protein Content: Each serving contains 4g of protein, contributing to satiety.
• Dietary Fiber: With 1g of fiber, it supports digestive health.
• Calcium: Sour cream contributes some calcium, important for bone health.
• Moderation is Key: Enjoy this delicious cake as part of a balanced diet.

Storage & Reheating Your Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Proper storage ensures your Sour Cream Coffee Cake remains as fresh and delicious as the day it was baked.

• Countertop: Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
• Refrigerator: For longer storage, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Reheating: Gently warm slices in the microwave for 15-30 seconds, or in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-10 minutes until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Got questions about making the perfect Sour Cream Coffee Cake? We’ve got answers!

What makes sour cream good in coffee cake?

Sour cream adds incredible moisture, richness, and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness, resulting in a tender, flavorful cake.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?

Yes, full-fat plain Greek yogurt can be a good substitute for sour cream, offering a similar texture and tang, though it might make the cake slightly denser.

Why is my crumb topping disappearing?

Ensure your butter for the crumb topping is very cold and that you don’t overmix the crumbs. If the cake batter is too thin, the crumbs might sink. Stick to the recipe ratios!

Can I add fruit to this coffee cake?

Absolutely! Fold 1/2 to 1 cup of fresh or frozen (not thawed) berries like blueberries or raspberries into the cake batter just before pouring it into the pan.

How do I know when the coffee cake is fully baked?

The edges will be golden brown, and a wooden skewer inserted into the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs attached, not wet batter.

More Delicious Dishes to Explore

If you loved this Sour Cream Coffee Cake, you’ll surely enjoy these other delightful recipes from our kitchen!

• Irresistible Apple Cinnamon Muffins You Must Try – Imagine the cozy scent of cinnamon and apples in a fluffy muffin!
• Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Cake – A vibrant and moist cake bursting with fruity freshness.
• Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake – Elegant, moist, and filled with a beautiful cinnamon ribbon.

Conclusion

This Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create a moment of comfort and joy. Enjoy every tender, crumb-topped bite! Follow us on Facebook and Pinterest for more culinary inspiration.

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