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The Best Sourdough Discard Coffee Cake


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  • Author: Evelyn Marcella Rivera
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 slices 1x

Description

The Perfect Blend of Ingredients. Fluffy, cinnamon-swirled coffee cake enriched with tangy sourdough discard for exceptional moisture and nuanced flavor—finished with a crunchy streusel topping.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Sourdough Coffee Cake Batter

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened, room temperature)
  • 1 1/4 cups white sugar
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup sourdough discard (or active starter) (unfed or active)
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (spoon & level)

Cinnamon Sugar Filling & Topping

  • 1 1/4 cups brown sugar (packed)
  • 5 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 4 tsp ground cinnamon (use fresh, high-quality cinnamon)
  • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Make cinnamon streusel: In a medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, 5 Tbsp flour, and cinnamon. Pour in melted butter and mix with a fork until crumbly; set aside.
  2. Preheat & cream: Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, cream softened butter and white sugar on medium-high 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  3. Add liquids: Scrape bowl; mix in vanilla, eggs, whole milk, and sourdough discard just until combined into a smooth, pourable mixture.
  4. Finish batter: Add baking powder and flour; mix on low only until the flour is just incorporated. Do not overmix.
  5. Assemble: Grease a 9×13-inch pan. Spread in half the batter; sprinkle with half the streusel. Gently spread remaining batter over, then top with remaining streusel.
  6. Bake: Bake 40–45 minutes until golden and a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 20–30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Efficiency tip: Total time is just over an hour, most of it hands-off. Brew coffee while it bakes and let the crumb set before slicing for clean pieces.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 510
  • Sugar: 55
  • Sodium: 350
  • Fat: 16
  • Carbohydrates: 85
  • Protein: 7