Sourdough coffee cake recipe
1. Prep:
• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper.
2. Streusel Topping:
• Mix together:
• ¾ cup flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• Rub in 6 Tbsp cold butter until crumbly. Chill in fridge.
3. Cake Batter:
• In one bowl, whisk:
• 1 ¾ cups flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• In another bowl (or stand mixer), beat:
• ½ cup softened butter
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• Add 2 eggs (one at a time).
• Mix in:
• ⅔ cup sour cream
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup sourdough discard
• 2 tsp vanilla
4. Combine:
• Gently mix wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
• Spread half the batter in pan.
• Sprinkle with half the streusel.
• Spread remaining batter on top, then the rest of the streusel.
5. Bake:
• 50–55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.
• Cool a little, slice, and serve warm
Sourdough coffee cake is an excellent way to use sourdough discard, adding unique depth and a subtle tang to the batter that complements the sweet cinnamon streusel topping. The baking process involves layering the cake batter with half of the streusel topping, then finishing with the remaining streusel to create a delightful texture contrast. To achieve the best results, ensure the butter for the streusel is cold before rubbing it into the flour and sugar mixture. Chilling the streusel before baking helps retain its crumbly texture. The use of both sour cream and milk in the cake batter keeps the crumb moist and tender, while the baking powder provides lift. This recipe balances sweet and savory notes thanks to the cinnamon and brown sugar in the streusel and the slight tang from the sourdough discard. The added vanilla extract enhances the aromatic profile. Baking the cake in an 8x8 inch pan at 350°F for 50-55 minutes ensures it cooks evenly without drying out. A toothpick test is recommended to check doneness, aiming for a few moist crumbs remaining. Serving the coffee cake warm allows the flavors to blossom and the streusel to maintain its crispiness. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea, making it an ideal treat for morning or afternoon indulgence. Incorporating sourdough discard into baked goods like this coffee cake is a sustainable practice that reduces waste and adds complexity to traditional recipes. Overall, this sourdough coffee cake recipe is perfect for bakers looking to experiment with sourdough beyond bread, creating a sweet, comforting dessert that feels homemade and special. #bakinginspiration #sourdoughdiscard #bakingaesthetic
