This delicious sourdough discard coffee cake features a tender crumb, warm cinnamon flavors, and a buttery streusel topping. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, it’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing treat that makes the most of your starter.
Kitchen scale with a paddle attachment (please weigh your ingredients for best results)
Stand Mixer (or large bowl with a hand mixer)
Loaf Pan
Parchment Paper
medium bowl for mixing dry ingredients
Small bowl for mixing the streusel
Ingredients
For the cake:
169gunsalted butterroom temperature (¾ cup)
250ggranulated sugar1¼ cups
3eggsroom temperature
150gsourdough discard½ cup
85gsour cream⅓ cup
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1teaspoonbaking powder
¼teaspoonsaltomit if using salted butter
150gall-purpose flour1¼ cups
For the cinnamon streusel:
120gall-purpose flour1 cup
220gbrown sugar1 cup
1tablespooncinnamon
½teaspooncardamom
½teaspoonnutmeg
113gunsalted buttermelted and cooled (8 Tbsp)
Pinchof salt
For the vanilla glaze:
120gpowdered sugar1 cup
½teaspoonvanilla extract
2tablespoonmilk
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment or grease it well.
Make the streusel: Stir the melted, cooled butter into the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and salt until clumpy. Set aside.
120 g all-purpose flour, 220 g brown sugar, 1 Tbsp cinnamon, ½ tsp cardamom, 113 g unsalted butter, ½ tsp nutmeg
In a stand mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl.
169 g unsalted butter, 250 g granulated sugar
Add the eggs one at a time on medium-low until combined.
3 eggs
Scrape the bowl and beat in the sourdough discard, sour cream, and vanilla.
150 g sourdough discard, 85 g sour cream, 1 tsp vanilla extract
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt.
1 tsp baking powder, 150 g all-purpose flour, ¼ tsp salt
On low speed, add the dry ingredients to the wet a little at a time, mixing just until combined.
Spread half the batter evenly in the loaf pan and cover completely with half the streusel. Layer the remaining batter on top, then finish with the remaining streusel (two batter layers, two streusel layers).
Bake on the middle rack for 55–60 minutes, until the top is lightly firm and the cake no longer jiggles.
While the cake cools, whisk the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk into a glaze.
Pinch of salt, 120 g powdered sugar, ½ tsp vanilla extract, 2 Tbsp milk
Cool completely, then drizzle with the glaze and let it set before serving.
Notes
Weigh your ingredients for the most accurate, reliable results.
Don't overmix the batter — overmixing makes the cake dense.
Store in an airtight container, refrigerated or at room temperature, for 3–5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months; the streusel softens after thawing but is still delicious.