Cinnamon Swirl Streusel Coffee Cake

Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping is undeniably the ultimate recipe you’ll ever need for a delightfully moist and flavorful coffee cake. This easy-to-follow guide promises an absolutely delicious baking experience, resulting in a cake that will become a staple in your kitchen and a favorite among family and friends.

Contents

The Irresistible Charm of Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake

If your quest for the best cinnamon coffee cake with an exceptional crumb topping has led you down countless recipe rabbit holes, allow us to assure you: your search ends here. This particular cake truly has it all. Unlike many coffee cake recipes that unfortunately turn out dry and crumbly, our Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake boasts an unparalleled moistness and tenderness. This incredible texture is all thanks to the star ingredient in the cake batter: sour cream. The acidity and fat content of sour cream work wonders, breaking down gluten and adding a richness that keeps the cake incredibly soft and flavorful for days.

But what’s a coffee cake without its crowning glory? The crumb topping featured in this recipe is, without exaggeration, my absolute favorite. You might recognize its irresistible texture and buttery, spiced flavor from popular recipes like our Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins. It strikes the perfect balance between sweet, crunchy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender, creating a delightful contrast to the soft cake below. Every bite offers a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

I genuinely adore this cake and find myself making it repeatedly throughout the year, especially for cozy breakfasts, indulgent brunches, or simply as a comforting treat with a cup of coffee or tea. Its ease of preparation combined with its consistent crowd-pleasing results makes it an undeniable hit every single time. I sincerely hope you’ll take the opportunity to bake this remarkable coffee cake and experience its magic for yourself!

Why This Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake Stands Out

Beyond its incredible moisture and perfect crumb topping, there are several reasons why this recipe is destined to become a beloved favorite in your home:

**Unmatched Moisture:** The generous addition of sour cream ensures a cake that is supremely moist, tender, and never dry, even days after baking.
**Flavorful Crumb Topping:** A rich, buttery, and cinnamon-spiced crumb topping adds an essential textural and flavor contrast that elevates the entire cake.
**Easy to Make:** Despite its impressive results, this recipe is straightforward and accessible for bakers of all skill levels. Minimal complex techniques mean more time enjoying and less time stressing.
**Versatile Occasion:** Perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or a mid-afternoon treat, it’s suitable for any time you desire a comforting and delicious baked good.
**Crowd-Pleaser:** The classic flavors of cinnamon and brown sugar, combined with the delightful texture, guarantee this cake will be a hit with everyone.

The Secret to a Super Moist Coffee Cake: Sour Cream

Many home bakers struggle with dry coffee cakes, but this recipe skillfully avoids that common pitfall. The secret lies in the humble yet powerful ingredient: sour cream. Here’s how it transforms an ordinary cake into an extraordinary one:

**Acidity for Tenderness:** The acidity in sour cream helps to tenderize the gluten in the flour. This results in a softer, more delicate crumb structure.
**High Fat Content for Richness:** Sour cream is rich in fat, which adds an incredible amount of moisture and richness to the cake batter. This fat content also contributes to a velvety texture.
**Emulsification:** It helps emulsify the batter, creating a smoother, more uniform mixture that bakes beautifully and consistently.
**Extended Freshness:** Cakes made with sour cream tend to stay moist and fresh for longer, meaning you can enjoy leftovers for days without them drying out.

Using full-fat sour cream is highly recommended for the best results, as it provides the maximum benefits in terms of moisture and richness. If you only have light sour cream, the cake will still be good, but it might not be quite as decadent.

Mastering the Art of the Crumb Topping

The crumb topping is not just an optional extra; it’s a vital component that defines a great coffee cake. Achieving the perfect crumb topping is simpler than you might think, and our recipe ensures a glorious, golden, and crunchy layer that perfectly complements the soft cake beneath. Here are a few tips for making an exceptional crumb topping:

**Cold Butter (or Melted and Cooled):** While some recipes call for cold butter cut into flour, this recipe uses melted and slightly cooled butter, which makes it incredibly easy to combine the ingredients and achieve uniform crumbs. Ensure it’s not hot, as that can make the mixture greasy.
**The Right Ratio:** The balance of sugars, cinnamon, salt, and flour is key. Our recipe provides a perfect ratio for a flavorful and well-structured crumb.
**Fluff with a Fork:** After combining the ingredients, a quick fluff with a fork is essential. This helps create those distinct, coarse crumbs that bake into delightful pockets of sweetness and crunch. Avoid overworking the mixture into a paste; you want texture.
**Even Distribution:** Gently sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the cake batter. This ensures every slice gets a generous share of the delicious streusel.

This crumb topping isn’t just for coffee cake; it’s so good, you might find yourself using it on muffins, fruit crisps, or even baked apples!

How to Make This Delicious Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Baking this coffee cake is a straightforward process, making it a joy to prepare. Let’s walk through the key steps:

**Preparation is Key:** Begin by greasing your baking pan thoroughly and preheating your oven. This ensures the cake bakes evenly and doesn’t stick. A 9×13 inch pan is ideal for this recipe, allowing for a perfect cake height.
**Creaming Butter and Sugar:** In a large mixing bowl, the foundation of your cake batter starts with creaming together softened butter and sugar. This step is crucial for incorporating air, which contributes to the cake’s light and fluffy texture. Beat until the mixture is light in color and fluffy, typically about 3 minutes.
**Adding Eggs and Vanilla:** Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This ensures proper emulsification and prevents the batter from separating. Finish by mixing in the vanilla extract for a warm, aromatic base.
**Whisk Dry Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Whisking ensures they are evenly distributed, preventing pockets of leavening agents or spices in your final cake.
**Alternating Wet and Dry:** The secret to a perfectly smooth and moist batter is to add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the sour cream. Start and end with dry ingredients. This method prevents overmixing the flour, which can lead to a tough cake, and helps the sour cream integrate smoothly.
**Assemble and Top:** Once your batter is smooth and ready, pour it evenly into the prepared baking pan. Then, generously sprinkle your prepared, coarse crumb topping over the entire surface of the batter.
**Baking to Perfection:** Bake the cake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This indicates that the cake is fully cooked through and wonderfully moist.
**Cooling and Serving:** Allow the cake to cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar for an elegant finish. The aroma filling your kitchen will be irresistible!

Crafting the Perfect Crumb Topping for Your Coffee Cake

A phenomenal crumb topping elevates any coffee cake from good to unforgettable. Here’s how to easily prepare this essential component:

**Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, packed light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, salt, and all-purpose flour. This initial whisking ensures all the dry ingredients are uniformly mixed, distributing the spice and sweetness evenly throughout the crumbs.
**Incorporate Melted Butter:** Pour in the melted butter. It’s important that the butter is melted but not hot; ideally, it should be slightly cooled. This helps create distinct crumbs without making the mixture too greasy. Stir the mixture with a spoon or your hands until it just comes together, forming large, moist clumps.
**Achieve Crumbly Texture:** To get that signature coarse, crumbly texture, use a fork to gently fluff the mixture. You’re aiming for a variety of crumb sizes, from small, sandy bits to larger, irregular clumps. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the topping pasty instead of crumbly. Once you’ve achieved the desired texture, set it aside while you prepare the cake batter.

More Delightful Coffee Cake Recipes to Explore:

If you fall in love with this Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake, you’ll be thrilled to discover other wonderful variations. Here are a few more coffee cake recipes that are just as easy and equally delicious:

Lemon Crumb Cake: A bright and zesty twist on the classic, featuring a refreshing lemon flavor and a rich cream cheese layer.

The Best Apple Crumb Cake: Perfect for autumn or any time you crave a warm, spiced apple treat with a comforting crumb topping.

Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins: All the deliciousness of coffee cake in a convenient, portable muffin form, ideal for grab-and-go breakfasts.

Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping Recipe

Below you will find the full, detailed recipe for this incredible Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake, designed for easy baking and delicious results.

Cinnamon Coffee Cake with the best crumb topping

Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping

Author: Anna

The one and only coffee cake recipe you will ever need! So easy and absolutely delicious!

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 1065 kcal

Ingredients

For the Cake:

½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
1 ½ cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Crumb Topping:

⅔ cup granulated sugar
⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter (melted, cooled slightly)
3 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

For the Crumb Topping:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and flour. Add melted butter and stir until it all comes together. Fluff with a fork to make a mixture that resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.

For the Cake:

Grease a 13″x9″ baking pan. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175°C).
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Mix in the vanilla extract.
In another mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt).
Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined after each addition.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Sprinkle the prepared crumb topping generously over the batter.
Bake the cake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool the cake to room temperature on a wire rack before serving.
For an extra touch of elegance and sweetness, dust with powdered sugar before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Tips for the Best Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake

To ensure your coffee cake turns out perfectly every time, consider these additional baking tips:

**Room Temperature Ingredients:** Make sure your butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature. This helps them cream together smoothly and evenly, resulting in a more cohesive and tender batter.
**Do Not Overmix:** Overmixing the batter, especially after adding the flour, can develop gluten too much, leading to a tough and dense cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
**Check for Doneness:** The toothpick test is reliable. If it comes out with moist crumbs, bake for a few more minutes. If it comes out completely clean, your cake is ready.
**Cooling Properly:** Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack. This allows it to set properly and prevents it from becoming too dense or falling apart when cut.
**Storage:** Store any leftover coffee cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze individual slices for up to 3 months.

This Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create comforting memories and share delicious moments. Its rich cinnamon aroma and comforting texture make it an instant classic that you’ll return to again and again.

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