Sour Cream Coffee Cake

There are two camps when it comes to classic sour cream coffee cake: the "just here for the streusel topping" folks and the "all about that tender, mile-high cake" folks. Well, this homemade cake will make everyone very happy! The streusel—a crumbly mix of cinnamon, almonds, butter, flour, and brown sugar—is sandwiched between and sprinkled on top of the cake so you get some in every bite. Sour cream adds a hint of tanginess and keeps the cake wonderfully moist and tender, even if you bake it a day ahead. This is a lovely cake to have on hand when hosting house guests. Slice it up for a quick breakfast, sweet snack, or simple dessert!

Is coffee cake considered a dessert?

Coffee cake is whatever you want it to be! Serve it for breakfast, have it on hand to serve afternoon visitors with a cup of coffee or tea, or slice it up for dessert. You can even serve slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's a lovely cake to have on hand when hosting house guests.

How do you know when coffee cake is done?

To test coffee cake for doneness, insert a toothpick in the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few moist (but baked!) crumbs attached, it's ready to be pulled from the oven. Aside from timing, this is the best way to know if your cake is fully baked. 

What can you use instead of almonds in the streusel topping?

Not a fan of almonds? No problem. Use chopped pecans or walnuts instead of slivered almonds. You'll still get that great crunch and nuttiness, just with a slightly different flavor. 

Is a tube pan the same as a Bundt pan?

A tube pan has tall, angled sides, a flat bottom, and a hollow tube in the center. That tube helps to even out the heat distribution so that cakes don't come out of the oven undercooked in the center. A Bundt pan also has a hollow center, but is shorter and has fluted sides that add a decorative twist to big Bundt cakes. You can use either for this recipe, just note that the streusel topping will be on the underside of the Bundt.

What can you use instead of a tube or Bundt pan?

This coffee cake can also be baked in a 9-inch square baking pan that is at least 2 1/4 inches tall. Bake the cake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 55 to 50 minutes. We recommend lining the pan with parchment paper to avoid any sticking and also help the cake come out of the pan easily. After 10 minutes of cooling in the pan, simply grab the edges of the paper like handles to lift the cake and remove it to a wire wrack to cool completely. 

Does coffee cake actually have coffee in it?

This is a cake that's named for how you serve it rather than what's in it. A cup of hot coffee is perfect for pairing, which is why it's a classic for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Of course, serving it for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream would be just fine too!

Make ahead tips:

The streusel can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. The coffee cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.