Sourdough Coffee Cake

Disclaimer: This post contains amazon affiliate links. That means that if you purchase something from a link in this post, we get a small commission from that purchase at no additional cost to you.

This homemade sourdough coffee cake is moist, light, and full of cozy flavor. It is made with sourdough discard, brown sugar, butter and much more goodness. Let's make this sourdough coffee cake together to enjoy in the mornings!

This morning, we woke up to a heavy snowstorm. It has continued on throughout the day and left us stuck inside with no place to go. This means that there is baking to be done and this sourdough coffee cake is on the list.

In the Winter, our bodies crave warm and cozy dishes. While nutrition is important, sometimes you just need a warm cake and a good cup of joe.

The creations of coffee cake actually go back to Germany. America was introduced to coffee cake through German immigration. There is a German word called "kaffeekuchen" which translates to coffee cake. There is also a German word called "streuselkuchen" which translates to a cake topped with streusel. These two words combined describe the characteristics of coffee cake.

Our coffee cake has the buttery, cinnamon and sugar streusel topping but the cake part is made with sourdough discard. Sourdough gives cakes an extra moist, soft, and fluffy texture. Traits that make up a good cake!

Now, grab your bowl and a whisk and let's make this coffee cake together!

How to Make Sourdough Coffee Cake

For the Cake

To start, in a small saucepan, melt ½ cup of butter. Once melted, pour it into a large mixing bowl along with the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Whisk well until smooth.

Next, whisk in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Followed by the sourdough discard, vanilla extract, sour cream, and milk.

Then, on top of the wet ingredients, add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Gently stir the pile of dry ingredients then fold them into the wet.

For the filling and topping

To a small bowl, add the cold and cubed butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and flour to a small bowl.

Using your hands or the back of a fork, mix the ingredients all together until a crumble like texture is formed.

To assemble

To assemble the cake, pour half the batter into a lightly greased 9x9 (or 8x8 but bake time will vary) baking dish. Then, sprinkle the middle of the cake with half of the filling/topping mixture. Add the rest of the batter into the dish, spreading around as best as possible. Lastly, finish off with the last of the topping.

Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 25 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick that is inserted comes out clean. I always like to check on the earlier side just to be sure.

Let cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Tips

• Be careful to gently incorporate the dry ingredients and not to overmix. Overmixing can cause a dry cake.
• Using a dish smaller than an 8 by 8 will result in a dryer cake.
• This sourdough coffee cake can be made with sourdough discard or active starter.
• This coffee cake rises very high so keep that in mind when pouring in the batter. It will seem like not enough batter, but it will triple.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Simple - Sourdough recipes can often sound intimidating. Although, this recipe is so simple, consider it a no fail. It is made with simple ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry and requires simple steps.

Texture - The texture of this coffee cake is one that is addicting! It is soft, pillowy, and oh so moist. It leaves you feeling light and not weighed down.

Versatile - This coffee cake is versatile in how it can be served. Whether it is for breakfast or dessert. It works for either! Scroll down to see some serving suggestions.

Ingredients

Butter: Unsalted or salted will work

Light Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar doesn't have a big molasses flavor the way dark brown sugar does so that is why it works best in this recipe.

Granulated Sugar

Sourdough Starter: Active or discard will work since we are using rising agents.

Eggs

Vanilla Extract

Greek Yogurt/Sour Cream: These two ingredients are interchangeable in this recipe. They help to give the cake added moisture.

Milk: Whole milk was used for this recipe, but any will work.

All Purpose flour

Baking Soda

Baking Powder

Cinnamon

Tools You May Need

Large Mixing Bowl

Whisk

Baking Dish

Measuring Cups

Measuring Spoons

Ways to Serve Sourdough Coffee Cake

There are a few ways we love to eat this sourdough coffee cake. Here are our favorites...

• Enjoy this cake with warm cup of coffee or tea in the mornings. My go to coffee has been this snickerdoodle coffee by Magnolia.

• Additionally, serve alongside our sausage quiche recipe for a satisfying brunch menu.

• As a dessert, enjoy it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

• A glass of milk with this never hurt anyone!

• Lastly, enjoy it with our fruit kabobs and high protein dip as a midday treat.

Let us know how you like to enjoy coffee cake!

FAQs

Does sourdough coffee cake taste sour?

No, sourdough coffee cake does not taste sour. The sourdough starter in the coffee cake actually doesn't alter the taste at all, it just alters the texture. The sourdough gives it a fluffy, pillow, and extra moist texture.

Do I need active sourdough starter?

While this recipe is designed for sourdough discard, you can also use active starter. There are leavening agents in this recipe so active or discard will work.

Can I long ferment sourdough coffee cake?

Yes! Despite this recipe having leavening agents, you can long ferment this recipe overnight. Add all of the ingredients minus the eggs, baking soda, and baking powder. Then, after the fermentation, add the rest of the ingredients and bake as normal!

Why is my coffee cake dense?

Your coffee cake is dense for a few reasons. Some of them being the batter is overmixed, your discard was too thick, or your leavening agents were expired. The coffee cake should end up a light and fluffy texture. Something that is airy and not heavy.

Pin It For Later