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sourdough coffee cake

Sourdough Coffee Cake Recipe


Yield: 9 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Start your morning off right with this easy recipe - Sourdough Coffee Cake! Made with sourdough discard, a moist cake is topped with a cinnamon streusel and vanilla glaze. Perfect for any occasion!

4.57 from 48 votes

Ingredients

Streusel Topping

  • 105 grams all-purpose flour 3/4 cup
  • 165 grams brown sugar 3/4 cup
  • 4 grams cinnamon 2 teaspoons
  • 1 gram salt 1/4 teaspoon
  • 84 grams unsalted butter, COLD 6 Tablespoon

Sourdough Coffee Cake

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

Vanilla Icing

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

Instructions

  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. Set aside.
    You can use a ceramic or glass baking dish, however it will extend the baking time.

Streusel Topping

  1. In a small bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Whisk until combined. Using clean fingers, press the diced cold butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press the crumble topping together to create large crumble pieces. 
    105 grams all-purpose flour, 165 grams brown sugar, 4 grams cinnamon, 1 gram salt, 84 grams unsalted butter, COLD
  2. Place the streusel topping in the fridge while you prepare the coffee cake batter.

Sourdough Coffee Cake

  1. In a large bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until all the ingredients are incorporated. Set aside.
    245 grams all-purpose flour, 6 grams baking powder, 3 grams salt
  2. In a bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the room temperature butter and sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated. Scrape down the sides when needed. Mix in the sour cream, milk, sourdough discard and vanilla extract on low until smooth. 
    113 grams unsalted butter, room temperature, 100 grams sugar, 55 grams brown sugar, light or dark, 2 large eggs, 8 grams vanilla extract, 160 grams sour cream, room temperature, 120 grams milk, room temperature, 120 grams sourdough discard, room temperature
  3. While continuing to mix on low, slowly add in the flour mixture and continue to mix until you see just a few streaks of flour left. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the last bits of flour. Be careful not to over mix the batter, otherwise this will lead to a tough cake. 
  4. Scoop half of the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly using an offset spatula. Sprinkle half of the streusel mixture on top for a delicious cinnamon swirl in the center. Then pour the remaining batter on top. I like to use a cookie scoop since the batter is thicker. 
    Note: Be patient while spreading the top layer of batter as it will want to pull up since it is sticking to the streusel. Slowly spread with an offset spatula until evenly spread. 
  5. Top the sourdough coffee cake batter with the remaining cinnamon streusel. 
  6. Bake the Sourdough Coffee Cake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs. 
  7. Cool slightly before slicing and serving warm. 

Vanilla Icing

  1. In a medium bowl, add the powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle on top of the Sourdough Coffee Cake and enjoy! 
    130 grams powdered sugar, 90 grams heavy cream, 2 grams vanilla extract

Notes

How to Store

Store your sourdough discard coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. After that, refrigerate it to keep it from drying out. Wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, freeze it for up to a month, making sure it's tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or foil. When you're ready to enjoy it, reheat it in a preheated oven for a few minutes. You can also slice the cake and store it in a square baking pan for easy access the next day. Just make sure it's well covered to keep it fresh.

FAQs

Can I make this sourdough coffee cake in a bundt pan instead of a square pan?

Absolutely, you can use a bundt pan if you’re looking for a more fun presentation. The baking time might be a little different, so start checking around 50 minutes. You’ll also want to be sure the batter’s spread evenly since it can be a bit tricky with a bundt pan.

How can I make this coffee cake a little more special?

You can throw in some fresh blueberries or thinly sliced granny smith apples into the batter or the streusel topping. Or, try adding a bit of lemon zest or a sprinkle of teaspoon cinnamon on top for an extra flavor boost. Just be sure to fold in the fruit gently with a wooden spoon so the batter doesn’t get too heavy.
This recipe card was updated on 03/15/26.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 598kcal | Carbohydrates: 84g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 281mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 51g | Vitamin A: 880IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 2mg
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