If you’re on the lookout for a cozy, delightfully tangy dessert to brighten your morning or sweeten your coffee break, this Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe is an absolute must-try. Bursting with juicy blueberries nestled in a tender, moist cake enriched by sour cream, each bite strikes the perfect balance of creamy, fruity, and cinnamon-spiced goodness. Topped with a crunchy, buttery streusel and a zesty lemon glaze, this cake is a symphony of textures and flavors that’ll have you coming back for more. It’s comfort baking at its finest, ideal for sharing with friends or savoring solo with your favorite cup of joe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe lies in its simple but thoughtfully chosen ingredients, each playing a vital role. From the tangy punch of sour cream that ensures melt-in-your-mouth moistness to the sweet, fragrant cinnamon in the streusel topping, every component enhances flavor, texture, or appearance in spot-on harmony.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy yet tender base for both cake and streusel, ensuring a balanced crumb and crumbly topping.
- Dark brown sugar: Adds rich molasses notes to the streusel that complement the blueberries perfectly.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the cake and topping without overpowering the natural fruit tartness.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses warm spice into the streusel, elevating its flavor complexity.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors, preventing the cake from tasting flat.
- Butter: Both melted for the streusel and softened for the cake, providing richness and tenderness.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Leavening agents that give the cake its light rise and fluffy texture.
- Egg: Binds and adds structure while contributing to the cake’s richness.
- Sour cream: The secret hero that adds moisture, tenderness, and subtle tang.
- Vanilla extract: Brings aromatic warmth and depth to the batter.
- Blueberries: Fresh or frozen, juicy bursts of fruit throughout the cake.
- Cornstarch: Keeps the blueberries from sinking and prevents excess moisture.
- Lemon zest: Adds bright citrus notes that cut through the cake’s sweetness.
- Powdered sugar and lemon juice: Combined into a simple glaze that adds a final sweet-tart finish.
How to Make Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Topping
Begin by mixing together the flour, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Once combined, stir in melted butter until the mixture forms clumps. Set this streusel mixture into the fridge to chill while you prepare the cake batter. This step ensures your topping stays crumbly and luscious once baked.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients for the Cake
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Setting these dry ingredients aside is essential so you can gradually combine them with the wet ingredients later, preserving the delicate texture of the cake.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a stand or handheld mixer, cream softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture turns pale and fluffy — about three minutes. This aeration is critical to achieving a light, tender crumb in your cake.
Step 4: Add Egg, Sour Cream, and Vanilla
Reduce mixing speed and incorporate the egg first, followed by the sour cream and vanilla extract. These ingredients infuse moisture, flavor, and richness, creating that distinctively tender crumb the Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe is known for.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients and Pour Batter
Lower the mixer to its slowest speed and add the flour mixture in two additions to avoid overmixing. Once just combined, spread the batter evenly into your prepared springform pan, setting the stage for the juicy blueberry layer.
Step 6: Prepare Blueberries and Layer Them
In a bowl, toss the blueberries with cornstarch and lemon zest. The cornstarch prevents the blueberries from sinking and keeps the cake from becoming soggy, while the lemon zest adds a fresh zing. Sprinkle this vibrant berry mixture over the batter.
Step 7: Add Streusel and Bake
Crumble the chilled streusel topping evenly over the blueberries, then bake your cake at 350°F (180°C) for 45 to 50 minutes. The top should be golden and fragrant, and a toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean when it’s done.
Step 8: Cool and Glaze
Allow the cake to cool at room temperature for about an hour before releasing the pan’s sides. For the finishing touch, whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice into a glaze and drizzle it over the cake. Let it set for 10 minutes, then get ready to enjoy.
How to Serve Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe
Garnishes
While the glaze adds a lovely shine and citrusy sweetness, you can elevate presentation by sprinkling fresh blueberries or a dusting of powdered sugar just before serving. A few mint leaves also add a refreshing contrast and hints of color.
Side Dishes
This coffee cake pairs beautifully with a steaming cup of morning coffee or tea, but you can also serve it alongside creamy yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert spread. Fresh fruit or a bright citrus salad offer a fresh balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For brunch gatherings, slice the cake into squares and arrange them on a wooden board alongside small bowls of honey butter or lemon curd. For a festive touch, top individual slices with whipped cream and a few berries, turning this classic treat into a show-stopping centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe fresh by covering it loosely with foil or plastic wrap at room temperature for up to three days. This prevents the cake from drying out while preserving its tender crumb and moist fruit.
Freezing
To enjoy this cake later, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to two months. When you’re ready to indulge, thaw it overnight in the fridge to maintain its texture and flavor.
Reheating
Warm individual slices in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds or place in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes. This will revive the cake’s softness and enhance the aroma, making it taste freshly baked all over again.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen blueberries work perfectly in this Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe. Just toss them with cornstarch to prevent excess moisture from making the cake soggy. No need to thaw them—sprinkle directly over the batter before baking.
What does sour cream do in this coffee cake?
Sour cream adds moistness, tenderness, and a subtle tang to the cake, creating a rich texture that feels light and fluffy. It also balances the sweetness nicely, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Can I make this coffee cake without a springform pan?
You can use a regular 9-inch round cake pan, but be aware it might be trickier to remove the cake without the springform’s removable sides. Line the pan with parchment paper for easier release.
Is the streusel topping necessary?
The streusel topping adds a delightful crunch and cinnamon-sweet contrast to the soft cake beneath. While you could skip it, doing so would lose an essential texture layer that makes this recipe so beloved.
How long does this cake stay fresh?
This cake stays fresh and delicious at room temperature for up to three days when properly covered. Beyond that, storing it in the fridge or freezing is recommended to maintain quality.
Final Thoughts
This Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe is a heartwarming blend of tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors wrapped up in a tender, crumbly package. Easy to make yet incredibly satisfying, it’s the kind of cake that brightens any day and brings people together effortlessly. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing this lovely treat as much as I do!
PrintBlueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe
This Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake is a luscious and moist dessert featuring a tender cake base enriched with sour cream, bursting with fresh blueberries, and topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel. Finished with a tangy lemon glaze, it’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a delightful treat with coffee or tea.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
- 1 cup (5 oz/142 g) all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup (4 oz/115 g) dark brown sugar
- ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) butter, melted
Sour Cream Cake
- 1 ½ cups (7 ½ oz/213 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 6 tablespoons (3 oz/85 g) butter, at room temperature
- ¾ cup (6 oz/170 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- ¾ cup (6 oz/170 g) sour cream, at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (7 ½ oz/213 g) blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Zest of 1 lemon
Lemon Glaze
- ½ cup (2 oz/57 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare pan and preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter and line the bottom of a 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Make the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture forms clumps. Refrigerate the streusel until ready to use.
- Combine dry ingredients for cake: In another medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a handheld mixer, cream the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes or until pale and fluffy.
- Add egg, sour cream, and vanilla: Lower the mixer speed to medium, then add the egg, followed by the sour cream and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture in two additions, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Prepare blueberry topping: In a medium bowl, toss the blueberries with cornstarch and lemon zest to evenly coat.
- Assemble the cake: Spread the cake batter evenly into the prepared springform pan. Sprinkle the blueberry mixture over the batter, then evenly crumble the chilled streusel topping over the blueberries.
- Bake: Place the springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool at room temperature for about 1 hour. Then, carefully release the sides of the springform pan and transfer the cake to a serving plate.
- Prepare the lemon glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
- Glaze and serve: Drizzle the lemon glaze over the cooled cake and let it set for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Store leftovers: Keep any leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen blueberries; if frozen, do not thaw before using to prevent excess moisture.
- Ensure ingredients like butter, egg, and sour cream are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- Line the springform pan with parchment to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Place the springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet while baking to catch any potential drips.
- This cake can be made a day ahead and stored at room temperature to allow flavors to meld.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream with a plant-based alternative and butter with a vegan buttery spread.
