Sourdough Coffee Cake

coffee cake on a cutting board
Brian Macdonald / Getty Images
  • 55 mins
  • Prep: 20 mins,
  • Cook: 35 mins
  • Yield: Makes 1 cake (serves 12)
Ratings (19)

By Jennifer McGavin

Updated 09/01/17

If you do not have time to bake sourdough every week but have to feed your starter with flour, you might enjoy a recipe which takes only a short rise and is popped right into the oven. Recipes using sourdough starter can be augmented with baking powder, baking soda or yeast for a little extra rise and to save time. This streusel covered, sourdough coffee cake is delicious with coffee or tea.

What You'll Need

  • Streusel Topping:
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • Cake:
  • 1 cup sourdough starter (fed, see note)
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Optional: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cardamom (ground)

How to Make It

Note: The sourdough starter should be as thick as thick pancake batter, or about 50% flour, 50% water. I usually remove half the starter and feed both halves with equal amounts of flour and water, by weight, then wait for it to bubble up (about 4 hours) then put one jar back in the refrigerator for another week. The extra sourdough starter can be given to a friend or used in a recipe like this one.

  1. Mix the streusel topping first by combining flour, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl, then rubbing the cold butter in with your fingers until the mixture is crumbly and sticks together if you press it between your fingers. You may use a mixer if you wish.
  2. Set crumbs aside.
  3. To make the cake, place the sourdough starter in a bowl, add the rest of the ingredients and stir until combined.
  4. Pour the batter into a buttered and floured, 8- or 9-inch square pan or an 8-inch, round, layer cake pan. Smooth top and sprinkle reserved crumbs evenly over the batter.
  5. Let the cake rise for about 30 minutes in a warm place.
  6. Bake at 375 F for about 35 minutes, or until cake is set and the sides begin to pull away from the pan.
  7. Remove, cool and enjoy.
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
Calories 240
Total Fat 9 g
Saturated Fat 4 g
Unsaturated Fat 4 g
Cholesterol 28 mg
Sodium 582 mg
Carbohydrates 38 g
Dietary Fiber 2 g
Protein 3 g
(The nutrition information on our recipes is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. Individual results may vary.)