Sourdough Coffee Cake Recipe

Nothing pairs better with a steaming cup of coffee than a slice of warm sourdough coffee cake. The first time I tried this delightful treat, I was enveloped in its sweet cinnamon aroma as it baked in the oven. Each bite of the fluffy coffee cake, adorned with a deliciously crunchy streusel topping, brought back memories of cozy family gatherings and laughter around the dining table.

Sourdough coffee cake combines the unique tanginess of sourdough discard with the comforting sweetness of a traditional coffee cake. It’s a culinary joy to make and share with family and friends. This recipe effortlessly merges flavors and textures, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

As the cake rises, the warm scents of cinnamon and baked butter waft through the kitchen, inviting anyone nearby to indulge. This cake is perfect for brunches, afternoon tea, or simply as a sweet treat any time of day. Preparing sourdough coffee cake creates an inviting atmosphere with its comforting flavors and textures.

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Sourdough Coffee Cake Fundamentals

Fundamentals

The heart of a great sourdough coffee cake begins with a few essential ingredients, each playing a vital role in achieving that moist, fluffy texture. The base flour lends body, while the sugars add sweetness that melts in your mouth. Cinnamon gives it that familiar warmth, and the butter enriches the dough, creating a delightful crumb.

Using room temperature ingredients ensures even mixing, helping to incorporate air into the batter. This leads to a light and airy cake that feels like a hug in every slice. The sourdough discard not only utilizes food that might otherwise go to waste but also provides a unique taste that elevates the traditional coffee cake.

Preparation/Setup

Preparation begins with a little foresight. Before diving into the mixing, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8 x 8 inch metal baking dish with parchment paper. This simple step ensures that your cake turns out perfectly and allows for easy removal after baking.

Gather all your ingredients, as this will streamline your process. You don’t want to be scrambling for flour when it’s time to mix. The next step is creating the streusel topping. This mixture of flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter will transform into a crumbly delight that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake.

Ingredients

Gather the following ingredients for the sourdough coffee cake and streusel topping:

• For the streusel:

  • 105 grams (3/4 cup) all-purpose flour
  • 165 grams (3/4 cup) brown sugar
  • 4 grams (2 teaspoons) cinnamon
  • 1 gram (1/4 teaspoon) salt
  • 84 grams (6 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter

• For the coffee cake:

  • 245 grams (1 3/4 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 6 grams (1 1/2 teaspoons) baking powder
  • 3 grams (1/2 teaspoon) salt
  • 113 grams (1/2 cup) room temperature unsalted butter
  • 100 grams (1/2 cup) sugar
  • 55 grams (1/4 cup) brown sugar
  • 2 large room temperature eggs
  • 8 grams (2 teaspoons) vanilla extract
  • 160 grams (2/3 cup) room temperature sour cream
  • 120 grams (1/2 cup) room temperature milk
  • 120 grams (1/2 cup) room temperature sourdough discard

• For the vanilla icing:

  • 130 grams (1 cup) powdered sugar
  • 90 grams (6 tablespoons) heavy cream
  • 2 grams (1/2 teaspoon) vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8 inch metal baking dish with parchment paper. This makes for easy removal.
2. In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the streusel topping. Whisk until incorporated.
3. Using clean fingers, press the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles wet sand. Clump together the mix to form large crumble pieces.
4. Place the streusel mixture in the fridge while you prepare the coffee cake batter.
5. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt for the cake. Set aside.
6. In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the room temperature butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
8. Mix in the sour cream, milk, sourdough discard, and vanilla extract on low speed until smooth.
9. Gradually add the flour mixture while mixing on low. Mix until just a few streaks of flour remain, then use a spatula to fold the mixture gently. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake.
10. Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle half of the streusel mixture on top.
11. Gently scoop the remaining batter on top, then spread evenly. Patience is key here, as the batter will want to stick to the streusel.
12. Finish by topping the cake with the rest of the streusel.
13. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs.
14. Allow the cake to cool slightly before slicing and serving warm.

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Perfecting Your Sourdough Coffee Cake

Technique

A few techniques can elevate your sourdough coffee cake experience. First, always measure your ingredients accurately. Baking is a science, and precision often results in fantastic outcomes.

When mixing the batter, be gentle to maintain the cake’s fluffiness. After mixing the wet and dry ingredients, fold them together until just combined. This prevents overworking the gluten, which can lead to a tough cake.

Tips/Tricks

Using cold butter for the streusel creates a flaky texture, adding that perfect crunch to the top of your coffee cake. When cutting the butter into the dry ingredients, aim for visibly pea-sized pieces to ensure an even distribution.

Chilling the streusel also yields better results. The colder the butter, the better the streusel will hold its shape during baking. Lastly, if you find the cake domes too high, consider gently pressing down the batter before adding the streusel.

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Troubleshooting Your Sourdough Coffee Cake

Perfecting Results

Achieving the perfect sourdough coffee cake can sometimes be tricky. If your cake doesn’t rise as expected, check your baking powder’s expiration date. Fresh leavening agents guarantee a fluffy rise.

Another common issue is an overly dense texture. Ensure all wet ingredients are at room temperature to promote even mixing. If you spot any excess flour settled at the bottom of the bowl, carefully fold it in with a spatula.

Variations

Looking to add more flavors? Consider incorporating chopped nuts or fruits into the batter for added texture and taste. Pecans or walnuts complement the cinnamon beautifully. You can also swap out the vanilla extract for almond extract depending on your flavor preference.

Another idea is to use flavored sourdough discard. If you’ve experimented with herbs or other ingredients in your sourdough, they might add an interesting twist to your cake.

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Presenting Your Sourdough Coffee Cake

Serving/Presentation

Once cooled, your sourdough coffee cake will be a sight to behold. The golden crust, speckled with rich brown cinnamon streusel, creates an inviting presentation. You can serve it straight from the baking dish or elevate it on a serving platter dusted with powdered sugar.

Garnishing the top with a light drizzle of vanilla icing adds an elegant touch and enhances the flavor experience.

Pairings/Storage

This delightful cake pairs beautifully with a variety of accompaniments. Serve it alongside strong coffee or tea for a comforting breakfast or afternoon snack.

For storage, keep the sourdough coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. You can also refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze slices for longer storage. To enjoy later, simply thaw at room temperature and serve warm.

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Sourdough coffee cake brings a comforting blend of flavors and textures that warm the heart and satisfy the taste buds. With its delightful blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy notes, this cake is sure to become a cherished recipe in your collection. Perfect for gatherings, brunch, or simply a sweet treat, it delights everyone’s palate. Embrace the joy of baking this sourdough coffee cake and share moments of warmth with those you love.

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