This moist Sour Cream Coffee Cake only takes 15 minutes to prep and is sweet and delicious with the crunchy cinnamon pecan streusel. Enjoy it for brunch, with coffee, or dessert.

If you love sweet brunch recipes try our Sheet Pan Pancakes, French Toast Casserole, Homemade Scones, or Hawaiian French Toast Casserole.

The best ever Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe baked in a pan with the middle piece on the side to show the streusel layer baked inside.

Simple, delicious Coffee Cake.

I am going to say it – this is the BEST Coffee Cake recipe! The cake is soft and moist, and not only does it have a crunchy cinnamon pecan streusel on top, but we even layer it in the middle of the cake! Serve it with a cup of hot tea of coffee, or a side of fruit, for the perfect easy weekend brunch! We serve coffee cake most often at brunch, holidays and special occasions.

How to make Coffee Cake:

Make Batter: Cream together sugar and butter then mix in egg, sour cream, milk, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix just until combined.

Two images showing a sour cream cinnamon coffee cake batter before and after the dry ingredients are added.

Layer: Combine all of the ingredients for the pecan topping in a bowl. Grease an 8×8 square baking dish then pour in half of the cake batter. Sprinkle half of the pecan topping over the batter then repeat with the rest of the cake batter and sprinkle the rest of the pecan topping on top.

Two images showing a sour cream pecan coffee cake with a homemade streusel in a bowl then when it's being layered between the cake batter.

Bake: Preheat to 350°F then bake for 40-50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Check it halfway through and lay a piece of aluminum foil loosely on top if it’s getting too brown. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before enjoying.

Two images showing the best coffee cake recipe with a brown sugar cinnamon pecan streusel baked in a pan then after it's served on a plate.

Make Ahead And Freezing Instructions:

To Make Ahead: Coffee cake is best served the same day, but you can make it in the morning or even the night before. Store covered at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To Freeze: Allow coffee cake to cool completely, cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to come to room temperature before serving. 

More Sweet Brunch Recipes:

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Recipe

The best ever Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe baked in a pan with the middle piece on the side to show the streusel layer baked inside.
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 45 minutes
Cool 10 minutes
Total 1 hour
Save Recipe

Ingredients
 
 

Topping:

Instructions
 

  • Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Crumble topping: Combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Add butter and cut in with forks or a pastry blender until there are no large pieces. Stir in nuts.
  • Batter: In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add egg and mix. Add sour cream, milk, and vanilla then mix. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture then mix just until combined.
  • Assemble: Spoon half of the batter into your prepared pan and smooth into an even bottom layer. Sprinkle half of the topping mixture over the top. Spoon remaining batter on top then smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle remaining topping mixture over the top.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with few crumbs. Check it half way through baking and cover with a piece of aluminum foil if browning too much. 
  • Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a 9x13inch pan: Double recipe and bake about 5 extra minutes. 
Make Ahead Instructions: Coffee cake is best served but you can make it in the morning or even the night before. Store covered at room temp for 1-2 days refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freezing Instructions: Cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to come to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 359kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 5gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 310mgPotassium: 112mgFiber: 2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 475IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 1mg

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I originally shared this recipe December 2016. Updated March 2020 and November 2024.

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Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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st_subs@yahoo.com
2 months ago

2 stars
Huge disappointment! Dry and not sweet enough. I had to dot the top with butter and sugar and pop it back in the oven to melt to make it edible. And still not very good.

island.dreams@comcast.net
3 months ago

I accidently left out the baking soda. 🤔 What will happen?

Julie
3 months ago

5 stars
Fantastic! Definitely gonna try this one again.

Cynthia Wells
4 months ago

5 stars
I’ve made this cake so many times, following the recipe exactly, and everyone always raves about it. It’s a real crowd pleaser. The batter is really thick, but spreads nicely with a butter knife. This is my go-to recipe when I’m in a pinch. I wouldn’t change a thing!

Sue
7 months ago

I made this. Great taste. The next time I would double the recipe for both batter and topping. I used a 9″x9″ pan and this recipe only cook up half the space. Thanks for sharing. Sue

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