Name: Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Streusel Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour; 1 cup packed light brown sugar; 1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp kosher salt; 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold, cut into small pieces; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 2 cups all purpose flour; 1 1/4 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp kosher salt; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup sour cream; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 Tbsp whole milk

Jump to Recipe·5 from 27 reviews

If you’re looking for a coffee cake that’s irresistibly moist, buttery, and comfortingly sweet, I have just the thing for you. This Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Streusel Recipe is absolutely fan-freaking-tastic and one of my go-to treats whenever I want to impress guests or just treat myself. The tanginess of the sour cream perfectly balances the sweet, crumbly streusel topping, creating a flavor that feels like a warm hug on a lazy morning. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll find yourself making it over and over again!

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Why This Recipe Works

Moist & Tender Texture: The sour cream adds a gentle tang and incredible moisture, making the cake tender and rich without being heavy.
Perfect Streusel Crunch: A cinnamon-spiced streusel topping made with cold butter gives this cake an addictive crumbly texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake.
Simple, Quality Ingredients: Just pantry staples come together to create a bakery-worthy cake that feels like homemade comfort food at its best.
Easy to Follow Steps: The recipe’s step-by-step process breaks everything down so anyone can feel confident baking this, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Streusel, best coffee cake recipes, moist coffee cake, easy streusel coffee cake, comforting breakfast cake - The image shows a white square baking dish with a crumb cake inside. The cake has two layers of soft light brown cake with a thick layer of crumb topping and a drizzle of white icing on top. The crumb topping is coarse and golden brown, covering the whole surface of the cake. One piece of the cake is missing, revealing the layers inside. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with a pale blue cloth on the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

What I love about this Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Streusel Recipe is how each ingredient plays a starring role to build layers of flavor and texture. Using sour cream—not just for the tang but for that moist crumb—makes all the difference. And when it comes to the streusel, cold butter is the secret weapon for the perfect crumble. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need and why these ingredients shine together.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Streusel, best coffee cake recipes, moist coffee cake, easy streusel coffee cake, comforting breakfast cake - Flat lay of a small mound of pale all purpose flour, a small pile of packed light brown sugar, a small heap of ground cinnamon, a pinch of kosher salt, several small cubes of cold unsalted butter, another small heap of granulated sugar, two whole large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of sour cream, a small white bowl of whole milk, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-Purpose Flour: The flexible base for both the cake and streusel, providing just the right structure without toughness.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds natural molasses notes and moisture to the streusel, making it rich and slightly sticky.
Ground Cinnamon: Gives the streusel a warm, comforting spice that pairs beautifully with sour cream’s tang.
Unsalted Butter (Cold and Softened): Cold butter for the streusel ensures crumbly bits; softened butter creamed in the cake makes it fluffy.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Both work together to help the cake rise beautifully and develop its tender texture.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake while keeping the crumb light.
Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cake batter.
Sour Cream: The magic ingredient that keeps the cake moist, tender, and adds a slight tang to balance the sweetness.
Powdered Sugar & Whole Milk: Combine for a simple glaze that adds a touch of sweetness and shine once drizzled over the cooled cake.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

There’s so much room to put your own spin on this Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Streusel Recipe. I’ve played around with different nuts, fruits, and spices depending on the season and occasion. Feel free to experiment—it’s one of those recipes that responds beautifully to customization.

Adding Nuts: I love folding in chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel for extra crunch and flavor—give it a try if you like a little texture boost.
Fresh Fruit: Sometimes I swirl in fresh blueberries or raspberries on top of the first cake layer before adding the streusel—hello, fruity surprise!
Spice It Up: If you’re a cinnamon fan, double up the cinnamon or add a pinch of nutmeg to ramp up the warm spice profile.
Gluten-Free Swap: I’ve substituted gluten-free flour blends successfully—just make sure yours includes xanthan gum for structure.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Streusel Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Streusel

Start by mixing the streusel. In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cold butter cut into small pieces. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or even your hands to mix until it forms pea-sized clumps. Don’t overwork it—these buttery clumps are what give the topping that perfect crumbly texture. Then pop it into the fridge while you prepare the cake batter.

Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients for the Cake

Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. This ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed for a consistent rise. Set aside for now and resist the urge to mix it with the wet ingredients just yet!

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is key for a tender cake—make sure the butter is truly softened to room temperature so it creams well. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely aroma and flavor.

Step 4: Alternate Flour and Sour Cream

Now, add your dry flour mixture in thirds to the wet batter, mixing gently but thoroughly after each addition. Follow each addition of flour with a third of the sour cream, alternating until all is incorporated. This method keeps your batter smooth and prevents overmixing, which can toughen the cake. The sour cream here is what makes the crumb beautifully moist and tender.

Step 5: Layer the Cake and Streusel

Butter an 9×9 inch pan and add half the cake batter, smoothing it out evenly. Sprinkle half the chilled streusel on top, spreading it out gently. Repeat with the remaining cake batter, followed by the rest of the streusel. This layering creates a delightful texture contrast in every bite.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake at 350°F for about 55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs). Let the cake cool on a wire rack before glazing to avoid melting your drizzle into a puddle.

Step 7: Glaze and Enjoy

While the cake cools, whisk together powdered sugar and milk for a simple glaze. Drizzle it over the cake as thick or thin as you like—this adds a touch of sweetness and a pretty finish. Then slice, serve, and get ready for compliments!

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Pro Tips for Making Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Streusel Recipe

Keep Butter Cold for Streusel: I learned that using really cold butter helped me get those incredible pea-sized crumb clusters, even when mixing by hand.
Don’t Overmix Batter: Alternating dry ingredients and sour cream keeps things moist—but overmixing can lead to a tough cake, so mix just until combined.
Use Fresh Baking Powder & Soda: I once used expired leavening, and the cake was flat—fresh ones really do make a big difference in rise and texture.
Test for Doneness Early: Oven temps vary, so start checking around 50 minutes to avoid drying out your cake.

How to Serve Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Streusel Recipe

Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Streusel, best coffee cake recipes, moist coffee cake, easy streusel coffee cake, comforting breakfast cake - A single square piece of crumb cake sits on a white scalloped plate, placed on a white marbled surface. The cake has three layers: the bottom and top layers are light golden yellow and soft, the middle layer is a thin strip of brown filling, and the top layer is covered with a crumbly streusel topping that is golden brown. A light white glaze drizzles unevenly down the sides of the cake, adding a shiny texture. The background is softly blurred, keeping the focus on the cake. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and elegant with a light dusting of powdered sugar on top along with the glaze drizzle. But sometimes, I add a few fresh berries or a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts to add a pop of color and texture—makes it feel special without extra fuss.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. For brunch, I like serving it alongside fresh fruit salad or yogurt with honey—nice balance between indulgence and freshness!

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy gathering, I’ve cut this cake into squares and served it in little dessert cups layered with dollops of whipped cream and fresh berries. It’s like a coffee cake parfait that gets everyone smiling. Another fun idea is to bake it in a bundt pan, then drizzle glaze over the top—it looks gorgeous and festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, which keeps that streusel crumb delightfully crisp. After that, I transfer it to the fridge to keep the cake fresh longer—just be sure to bring it back to room temperature before serving.

Freezing

This coffee cake freezes beautifully! I like to slice it into portions, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. When I want a sweet treat, it thaws overnight in the fridge and tastes almost as fresh as the day it was baked.

Reheating

Reheat slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to bring out that fresh-baked warmth. If you want to revive the crumble’s crispiness a bit, pop a slice in a preheated toaster oven for 3-5 minutes—delicious!

FAQs

Can I substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream in this recipe?

Yes! Greek yogurt is a great substitute if you don’t have sour cream on hand. It provides similar moisture and tang. Just use the same amount and make sure it’s plain and full-fat for best results.
How can I make the streusel topping extra crunchy?

Using cold butter is key. Cutting the butter into the dry ingredients until you have pea-sized clumps helps ensure the crumble bakes up crunchy, not mushy. Also, don’t stir the streusel once it’s on the cake—let it bake undisturbed for that perfect texture.
Can I make this coffee cake in a different-size pan?

You can, but keep an eye on the baking time. A larger pan (like 9×13) will make the cake thinner and bake faster, so start checking around 35-40 minutes. A smaller pan means a thicker cake that may need a little extra baking time.
Is this recipe suitable for breakfast or just dessert?

While sweet, this cake makes a perfect breakfast or brunch treat paired with coffee or tea. Its tender crumb and balanced flavor feel just right in the morning and can be part of a special weekend routine.

Final Thoughts

This Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Streusel Recipe is one of those magic recipes I keep coming back to because it’s comforting, reliable, and absolutely delicious. From the tangy, moist cake to the buttery cinnamon streusel and sweet glaze, it’s a lovely way to slow down and savor simple pleasures. I really hope you bake this for your next coffee break or weekend treat—you’ll be thrilled with how easy it is and how wonderfully it turns out. Happy baking, friend!