Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Moist and fluffy sour cream coffee cake is filled with layers of crunchy sweet pecans. It is a tasty breakfast or dessert!

This sour cream coffee cake is often served for breakfast alongside a cup of coffee hence the name coffee cake. Of course any warm drink will pair deliciously with the cake such as White Chocolate Peppermint Hot CocoaDouble Chocolate Hot CocoaMexican Hot Chocolate, or Caramel Apple Cider.

Sour cream coffee cake slice

Like eating a dessert for breakfast!

Coffee cake actually does not have any coffee in it. Did you know that? It gets it’s name because many love to much on this sweetness while sipping their morning cup of coffee. 

This sweet breakfast cake is sweet and fluffy with layers for crumble. In fact, it is so sweet and delicious that it would make a fabulous dessert! When you serve this think along the lines of cinnamon rolls or donuts for breakfast. A sugary boost to start the day…which is fun to do every so often.

This sour cream coffee cake is also perfect for special breakfasts. It is something special that can be whipped up. Add this to your brunch spread for a truly tasty line up! 

Streusel for sour cream coffee cake

The Crumb Layer

It’s the best part of the coffee cake. And is so easy to make!

COMBINE. Use a mixing bowl and add pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, flour and melted butter. Toss the ingredients together for 3-4 minutes until evenly coated. Set aside.

Sour cream coffee cake batter

Making the Cake layer

PREP. Spay a 9×11 baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

DRY INGREDIENTS. Whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a small bowl. Set aside.

WET INGREDIENTS. Add the softened butter and sugar to a separate bowl and mix together with a spatula until fully incorporated and smooth. Whisk in 1 egg at a time. Mix until the ingredients are well blended. Mix in the vanilla and sour cream. Pour the flour mixture in and stir until just combined. Do not over mix.

LAYER. Spread half of the cake mixture in the baking dish. Sprinkle half of the crumb layer evenly over the batter. Use a spoon to drop the remaining batter evenly over the crumb layer. The batter will be too thick to spread easily. Use a spatula to gently spread the dollops over the crumb layer. (It is ok if it is not completely covered)

BAKE. Sprinkle the rest of the crumb mixture on top. Gently press the crumb mixture into the layer of batter. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Serve warm.

Batter spooned over coffee cake streusel layer

Recipe Tips

Spreading the batter: The batter is fairly thick and makes it a bit tricky to spread the second layer. Use a spoon to drop the batter evenly over the top of the cinnamon layer. Use a spatula, or butter your fingers, and gently spread the batter over the cinnamon layer. Don’t worry if it doesn’t cover it completely. Top with the final cinnamon crumble layer. 

Bake time: I baked the coffee cake in a ceramic dish. If you choose to use a metal plan, then the bake time may be less so check on it at about 20-25 minutes.

Streusel on top of sour cream coffee cake

Variations

While this cake doesn’t actually have coffee in it it does have sour cream and delicious pecans. 

  • Sour cream: The sour cream helps give a moist texture. If you wish you can replace the sour cream with vanilla yogurt.
  • Pecans: You can easily use pecans or almonds instead of the walnuts. If you can’t have nuts use quick oats.
  • Add a Drizzle: Mix together ½ cup powdered sugar with 1–2 teaspoons milk. Drizzle in pretty design on top of the cake.
Close up of sour cream coffee cake

To make ahead of time

The cake can be baked the day before, covered and kept on the counter.

FREEZE it for later. Allow the cake to completely cool, then wrap with plastic wrap and again with foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Leftovers can be stored in the same manner.

Sour Cream Coffee cake recipe

for More Breakfast ideas check out:

Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe

5 from 20 votes
Moist and fluffy sour cream coffee cake is filled with layers of crunchy sweet pecans. It is a tasty breakfast or dessert!
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 15
Calories 261 kcal
Author Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

Crumb Layer

Cake

Instructions
 

Crumb Layer

  • Use a mixing bowl and add pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, flour and melted butter. Toss the ingredients together for 3-4 minutes until evenly coated. Set aside.

Cake

  • Spay a 9×11 baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Add the softened butter and sugar to a separate bowl and mix together with a spatula until fully incorporated and smooth. Whisk in 1 egg at a time. Mix until the ingredients are well blended. Mix in the vanilla and sour cream.
  • Pour the flour mixture in and stir until just combined. Do not over mix.
  • Spread half of the cake mixture in the baking dish. Sprinkle half of the crumb layer evenly over the batter.
  • Use a spoon to drop the remaining batter evenly over the crumb layer. The batter will be too thick to spread easily. Use a spatula to gently spread the dollops over the crumb layer. (It is ok if it is not completely covered)
  • Sprinkle the rest of the crumb mixture on top. Gently press the crumb mixture into the layer of batter.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes. Serve warm.

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About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Comments:

  1. 5 stars
    There is nothing better than coffee cake. It’s so soft with the crunch from the topping. We make it for family a lot. We enjoy it as breakfast & dessert!!

  2. 5 stars
    Coffee cake is a family favorite and I’m always looking for new twists. This cake is really yummy and I love the pecans in the topping.

  3. Can I bake this in a loaf pan? I want to bake it in a 7×3”. How would I adjust the bake time? Thank you

    1. You can certainly try! You’ll probably have extra batter if using a 7×3 pan, so you may want to try filling it in two. Start checking for doneness around 30 minutes and adjust the time if it needs more. You’ll know it is done when a toothpick comes out clean/few crumbs when inserted.

    1. I would wrap with plastic wrap & ours doesn’t last very long, but I personally would only keep it up to a week.