Sour Cream Coffeecake

User Reviews

5

3 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    30 mins

  • Total Time

    45 mins

  • Servings

    12 servings

  • Calories

    477 kcal

  • Course

    Dessert

  • Cuisine

    American

Sour Cream Coffeecake

The history of sour cream coffee cake and a traditional recipe for this beloved coffee-time treat from food historian Gil Marks.

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Ingredients

Servings

Streusel Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar 7 ounces/200 grams, or packed light brown sugar, or ½ cup each
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (4.25 ounces/120 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg optional, or cloves
  • 1/2 cup butter 1 stick/4 ounces/120 grams, unsalted, melted (65 to 67°F
  • 1/2 - 1 cup pecans optional, coarsely chopped, or any combination
  • 1/2 - 1 cup walnuts
  • 1/2 - 1 cup coconut
  • 1/2 - 1 cup chocolate chips

Batter Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour 8.5 ounces/245 grams, or 1 2/3 cups sifted cake flour and ½ cup all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter 1 stick/4 ounces/115 grams, unsalted, softened (65 to 67°F
  • 1 cup granulated sugar 7 ounces/200 grams, or ½ cup granulated sugar and ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 3 large egg scant 2/3 cup/5.25 ounces/150 grams
  • 1 cup sour cream (8.5 ounces/245 grams)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 tsp lemon extract, or 1 tsp orange extract, or ½ tsp almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest or orange zest, finely grated, optional

Glaze Ingredients (optional)

  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar (4 ounces/115 grams)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk or water, maple syrup, or strong brewed coffee

Instructions

To make the streusel

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and, if using, nutmeg. Stir in the butter to resemble coarse crumbs. If using, add the nuts.

To make the batter

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (325°F for a convection oven or if using a glass pan). Grease one 9-inch (9 cups) Bundt or tube pan, 9-inch square pan, 10- by 8-inch baking pan, or 9-inch springform pan.Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.
  2. In a separate large bowl, beat the butter on low speed until smooth, about 2 minutes.
  3. Increase the speed to medium, gradually add the sugar, and beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
  4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
  5. Blend in the sour cream, vanilla, and, if using, zest.
  6. Stir in the flour mixture.
  7. Spread a little more than half of the batter in the prepared pan.
  8. Sprinkle with half of the streusel.
  9. Carefully cover streusel with the remaining batter.
  10. Top with the remaining streusel and bake until the cake is golden and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes for a Bundt pan; 30 to 40 minutes for a 9-inch square pan; or 45 to 55 minutes for a springform pan; increase baking times slightly if using a fruit or cheese filling. 
  11. Set on a wire rack and let cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes, then remove the cake to a wire rack and let cool completely. The cake tastes even better when allowed to mellow overnight. Wrap the cooled cake in plastic and store at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To make the optional glaze

  1. Combine all the glaze ingredients, gradually stirring in enough liquid until smooth and of pouring consistency. 
  2. Drizzle over the cake and let stand until set. THK Note: we put the icing into a resealable bag, snipped off a corner with scissors, and drizzled a crosshatch pattern on the top of the cake.

Notes

  • You will also need: One 9-inch (9 cups) Bundt or tube pan, 9-inch square pan, 10- by 8-inch baking pan, or 9-inch springform pan, mixing bowls, hand mixer
  • VARIATIONS
  • VARIATIONS
  • Sour Cream Cupcakes: Divide the batter and streusel between 12 (2½-inch) cupcake tins lined with paper liners and bake at 400°F for 18 to 22 minutes. 
  • Sour Cream Cupcakes: Divide the batter and streusel between 12 (2½-inch) cupcake tins lined with paper liners and bake at 400°F for 18 to 22 minutes. 
  • Cheese-Topped Coffeecake: Combine 1 cup (8 ounces/225 grams) softened cream cheese, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. In step 4, after adding the remaining batter but before covering the top layer with streusel, drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the batter, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. 
  • Cheese-Topped Coffeecake: Combine 1 cup (8 ounces/225 grams) softened cream cheese, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. In step 4, after adding the remaining batter but before covering the top layer with streusel, drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the batter, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. 
  • Chocolate Swirl Coffeecake: In the streusel, substitute 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder for the flour and use the 1 cup nuts.
  • Chocolate Swirl Coffeecake: In the streusel, substitute 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder for the flour and use the 1 cup nuts.
  • Fruit-Filled Coffeecake: After adding the middle layer of streusel, top with 1 to 1½ cups fruit or any combination, i.e. peeled, cored, and chopped cooking apples; peeled, pitted, and sliced peaches; pitted sour cherries (or canned cherry pie filling); or blackberries, blueberries, chopped cranberries, or raspberries.
  • Fruit-Filled Coffeecake: After adding the middle layer of streusel, top with 1 to 1½ cups fruit or any combination, i.e. peeled, cored, and chopped cooking apples; peeled, pitted, and sliced peaches; pitted sour cherries (or canned cherry pie filling); or blackberries, blueberries, chopped cranberries, or raspberries.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 477kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 68g (23%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 20g (31%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Cholesterol 97mg (32%) Sodium 263mg (11%) Potassium 123mg (3%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 43g (86%) Vitamin A 660IU (13%) Vitamin C 0.4mg (0%) Calcium 63mg (6%) Iron 1.8mg (10%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 477 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 477kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 68g 23%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 97mg 32%
Sodium 263mg 11%
Potassium 123mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 43g 86%
Vitamin A 660IU 13%
Vitamin C 0.4mg 0%
Calcium 63mg 6%
Iron 1.8mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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