Homemade Magic: Cinnamon-Walnut Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe

Sweet mornings call for a slice of heavenly cinnamon-walnut sour cream coffee cake that melts in your mouth.

This delectable treat combines rich, nutty flavors with a tender, moist crumb that sings of comfort.

Warm spices dance through each bite, creating a symphony of taste that awakens sleepy senses.

Crisp walnuts add a delightful crunch against the soft, velvety cake base.

The sour cream ensures an impossibly light texture that makes this recipe a breakfast showstopper.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet impressive dessert that promises to become a weekend favorite.

One forkful, and you’ll understand why this coffee cake reigns supreme at any morning gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients in Cinnamon-Walnut Sour Cream Coffee Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps create a crumbly, textured layer that adds delightful crunch.
• Brown Sugar: Brings deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps create a rich, golden-brown topping.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances overall sweetness and contributes to the streusel's crisp texture.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that transforms the topping into a comforting flavor experience.
• Cold Butter: Creates flaky, tender streusel when cut into dry ingredients, ensuring perfect crumbly consistency.
• Walnuts: Introduce nutty richness and delightful crunch, elevating the cake's textural complexity.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the fundamental structure of the tender, moist cake.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Work together to help the cake rise and achieve a light, airy texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Butter: Provides richness, moisture, and contributes to the cake's tender crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a soft, delicate texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients, add structure, and contribute to the cake's smooth consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces subtle, complex sweetness and aromatic depth.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture, tanginess, and creates an incredibly tender, rich cake texture.

Tools You’ll Need for Moist Coffee Cake Perfection

• Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing the cake batter smoothly.
• Paddle Attachment: Connects to the stand mixer for even and gentle mixing.
• Pastry Cutter: Helps cut cold butter into dry ingredients for perfect streusel texture.
• 9×9 Inch Baking Dish: Provides the right size and shape for the coffee cake.
• Mixing Bowls: Needed for preparing streusel and cake batter separately.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and incorporating eggs.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Toothpick: Used to check cake doneness by testing the center.
• Nonstick Baking Spray: Helps grease the baking dish for easy cake removal.

Baking Directions for Cinnamon-Walnut Coffee Cake

• Oven Preparation

Warm the oven to a cozy 350 degrees. Grab a 9×9 baking dish and give it a quick spray of nonstick magic.

• Streusel Magic

In a mixing bowl, dance together flour, brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon. Chop cold butter into tiny pieces and work it into the dry ingredients until you’ve got crumbly goodness. Toss in chopped walnuts and set aside.

• Cake Batter Bliss

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until they’re light and fluffy. Add eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla. Gently fold in flour and sour cream, alternating between the two.

• Layer Love

Pour half the batter into the dish. Sprinkle a generous layer of streusel. Add remaining batter and top with the rest of the streusel.

• Baking Brilliance

Slide the cake into the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Check with a toothpick – when it comes out clean, your cake is ready to shine!

Tips for Crunchy Topping and Moist Interior

• Streusel Swap-Out: Replace walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different nutty crunch that adds delightful texture and flavor to your coffee cake.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire cake up to two days before serving. Store covered at room temperature to maintain moisture and freshness.
• Spice It Up: Enhance the cinnamon profile by adding a pinch of nutmeg or ground cardamom to the streusel mixture for a more complex and warming taste experience.
• Glaze Glory: Drizzle a simple vanilla or cream cheese glaze over the cooled cake for an extra layer of sweetness that complements the rich, buttery base.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap the completely cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to one month, thawing at room temperature when ready to enjoy a delicious treat.

Serving Ideas for Coffee Cake with Tea or Brunch

• Breakfast Bliss Pairing: Serve this delightful coffee cake alongside a steaming hot cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea for the ultimate morning indulgence.
• Dessert Transformation: Cut into elegant squares and drizzle with a light vanilla glaze, turning this coffee cake into a sophisticated after-dinner treat that will impress your guests.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Create a stunning brunch spread by presenting the cake on a beautiful wooden board, garnished with fresh walnut halves and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an inviting presentation that screams homemade comfort.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the coffee cake the night before, storing it covered at room temperature, so you can easily slice and serve a delicious breakfast with minimal morning effort.

Keep Your Coffee Cake Fresh and Tasty for Days

• Smart Slice Storage: Keep cake covered at room temperature for 2-3 days in an airtight container. Seal tightly to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual slices or whole cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Store in freezer up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving for best texture.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Extend cake's freshness by storing in refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place in sealed container to prevent absorbing other food odors. Bring to room temperature before enjoying for optimal flavor and softness.
• Moisture Protection Trick: Place paper towel inside storage container to absorb excess moisture. This clever technique prevents streusel topping from becoming soggy and maintains cake's delightful crumbly texture.

Moist Cinnamon-Walnut Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Delightful cinnamon-walnut sour cream coffee cake blends rich flavors with comforting textures. Moist crumb and nutty swirls create a classic breakfast treat perfect for leisurely mornings when you crave something special.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups and 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup butter, room temperature
• ½ cup butter (1 stick), cold and cut into pieces
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ¼ cups sour cream
• ¾ cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tbsps cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Streusel Preparation: Combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Cut cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then fold in chopped walnuts and set aside.
2. Dry Ingredient Blend: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together, creating a uniform dry mixture that will provide structure to the cake.
3. Butter Mixture: Cream butter and granulated sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Incorporate eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly after each addition, and mix in vanilla extract for depth of flavor.
4. Batter Formation: Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture and sour cream into the butter base, alternating to maintain the batter’s delicate consistency and prevent overmixing.
5. Pan Preparation: Thoroughly coat a 9×9 inch baking dish with nonstick spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
6. Layering Process: Spread half the cake batter evenly in the prepared pan, create a generous streusel layer across the first batter layer, then carefully cover with remaining batter and top with the final streusel layer, distributing walnuts and spices evenly.
7. Baking: Position the cake in a preheated 350°F oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.

Notes

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for consistent cake texture and flavor, especially with baking powder and sour cream.
• Room Temperature Matters: Ensure butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature to create a smoother, more uniform batter.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients gently to prevent overmixing, which can lead to a dense, tough cake texture.
• Streusel Distribution: Spread streusel evenly between layers and on top for a balanced crunch and cinnamon flavor in every bite.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg