Kahlua Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Heavenly Kahlua Sour CreamCoffee Cake Recipe with crumble topping. A breakfast treat you won’t be able to resist!
Sharing Our Best Coffee Cake Recipe
Coffee cake always reminds me of grandmothers and childhood.
Simple and moist, these cakes are generally layered with cinnamon and nuts, then topped with a crumbly crust. Casual, yet decadent.
Coffee cake is the perfect cake to nibble while sipping tea or coffee at grandma’s kitchen table, pouring out your adventures (or whoas) from the day.
This rustic utilitarian style treat provides unassuming comfort that feels like a warm hug.
Grandma’s Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Growing up, it seemed every church or neighborhood event would inspire someone to bring a coffee cake. Usually a sweet elderly lady.
I don’t think anyone would have ever refused, and they were always gone by the end of the event.
Nowadays I crave coffee cake when I’m feeling down, or need to get something off my chest. Just a taste makes me feel at ease, as if grandma were still around to listen to my problems.
Today’s variation is a simple cinnamon and sour cream coffee cake recipe with a surprise element… Kahlua coffee liquor glaze.
I layered the cake batter in a pan, sprinkling a cinnamon-pecan mixture between each layer of batter. Then I mixed the last of the pecan mixture with a little butter and flour to make a crumb topping.
Kahlua Coffee Cake with Sour Cream
After the crumble is sprinkled over the top, the Kahlua Coffee Cake bakes into fluffy tender layers of goodness with a crusty surface.
As if that weren’t enough, a sweet Kahlua glaze is drizzled over the top to seep down into the cake, creating pockets of boozy coffee essence!
Kahlua Sour Cream Coffee Cake is a marvelous treat to serve as a naughty breakfast or brunch, as an after-school snack, or as a casual dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Or… serve this Easy Coffee Cake like grandma would have, with a cup of coffee (or cold milk) and a big hug.
Easy Coffee Cake Recipe
Ready to get started? Here’s what you’ll need…
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Sea salt, or kosher salt
- Sour cream (could use low fat)
- Unsalted butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Chopped pecan pieces
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Kahlua coffee liquor
- Powdered sugar
How To Make Coffee Cake
Making a layered coffee cake in much easier than you might think! Let’s do this…
- Mix – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, mix 2 1/2 cups flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Then melt 1 stick of butter and mix into the batter.
- Layer – In a medium bowl, mix the chopped pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon together. Spread 1/3 of the batter in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Then sprinkle 1/3 of the pecan mixture over the batter. Repeat with another 1/3 of the batter followed by the nut mixture. Then spread the last of the batter over the top.
- Crumble – To the remaining 1/3 of the pecan mixture, add 1/4 cup flour. Cut the last 3 tablespoons of butter into cubes and mix into the nut mixture by hand, creating small chunky pebbles of dough. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the surface of the cake.
- Bake – Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Drizzle – Using a toothpick or wooden skewer, poke holes over the surface of the cake for the glaze. Whisk the Kahlua and powdered sugar together in a small bowl, then drizzle over the surface while the cake is still warm.
Get the Full Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe with Kahlua Below
Kahlua Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe FAQ
Can You Make This A Gluten Free Coffee Cake?
Absolutely! Simply swap Gluten Free Baking Mix for the all-purpose flour!
How Long Does This Recipe Last? Is This Easy Coffee Cake A Good Make-Ahead?
Yes. It lasts about 5 days sitting out at room temperature. However, I would only make it 2-3 days before an event.
I Don’t Like Pecans… Can I Use Another Nut?
Sure! Walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts are all good options.
Easy Coffee Cake Recipe Q&A (Continued)
Does This Kahlua Coffee Cake Freeze Well?
Yes it does. Just be sure to wrap to well, so it doensn’t get freezer burn, and freeze up to 6 months. Then thaw at room temperature.
What Else Should You Serve With Coffee Cake For Breakfast?
So glad you asked…
- Coffee (of course!)
- Oven Baked Bacon
- Simple Strawberry Smoothies
- Spinach Artichoke Egg Casserole
- Tropical Kiwi Fruit Cups
More Snack Cake Recipes
Kahlua Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 1/2 cups sour cream (could use low fat)
- 11 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecan pieces
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup Kahlua coffee liquor
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, mix 2 1/2 cups flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Then melt 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of butter and mix into the batter. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix the chopped pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon together. Spread 1/3 of the batter in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Then sprinkle 1/3 of the pecan mixture over the batter. Repeat with another 1/3 of the batter followed by the nut mixture. Then spread the last of the batter over the top.
- To the remaining 1/3 of the pecan mixture, add 1/4 cup flour. Cut the last 3 tablespoons of butter into cubes and mix into the nut mixture by hand, creating small chunky pebbles of dough. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the surface of the cake.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Using a toothpick or wooden skewer, poke holes over the surface of the cake for the glaze. Whisk the Kahlua and powdered sugar together in a small bowl, then drizzle over the surface while the cake is still warm. Allow the cake to cool and the glaze to harden. Cut and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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So good!!!! I had only 2 cups of sour cream so I substituted mayonnaise for the other half cup. Moist and delicious!!!
I just made this and it was amazing!! Although I did change just one thing, as I only had one cup of sour cream- whoops!! I added a cup of kahlua to it and let me tell you..awesome!!! I had to let it bake a little longer too. But it was a hit!! I’ll definitely be making this again!!
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This is my go-to coffee cake recipe! I love making this coffee cake for breakfast time!
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OMG!! Absolutely to die for and so easy to make!!
I followed precisely and my VERY particular mother informed me that I better not lose this recipe (presumably under penalty of death).
This is the second time I’ve made this cake . . . . after a few personal “tweaks” it is even (unbelievably) better than the first time!
It is SO moist and flavorful, I’m hard pressed to not just eat piece after piece. Seriously. Just read the calories though, and you’ll be able to resist.
Life is too short to not enjoy the best of *something* on occasion, and this cake is it, for me!
So many recipes, so little time . . . .
Can you please let me know what tweaks you added I would be interested in trying them. Thanks
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I love coffee cake and have lost my go-to recipe but this sounds just like it. Will be making it for bridge club on Wednesday. I’m sure none of the ladies will mind the Kahlua.
I’ve never seen anyone address this in the comments so maybe I’m the only one who’s having the problem but every highlighted area in the recipes will not print. I just go back and fill them in so do you have any thoughts? My computer printer settings? It doesn’t stop me from printing them just an annoying little happening.
Hi There,
Sorry about that! However, I am not able to replicate the issue. Can you tell me what web browser you are using?
You can do what I do: Copy and paste. Just drag your mouse over all the print you would like to print to highlight it, then right click to copy. Then, using a word processor (Word Pad, MSWord, etc.), PASTE it into that processor
As an added bonus, you can edit and add your own comments! Just be sure to double check that you copied all of the recipe.
So tasty and moist and really easy to make! Before I put in the oven, I pushed some of the topping down into the cake with a knife and pulled the knife just a little bit (an inch maybe) – just in a few spots. (My first layer was a bit too deep, so I didn’t have as much when I go to the top layer.) I doubled the Kahlua glaze mix and poked about every 1 to 2 inches. A perfect recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Super easy to make……our go-to coffee cake recipe!
This is my go-to coffee cake recipe! I love making this coffee cake for breakfast time!
Can always go for a good coffee cake recipe! Can’t wait to try your recipe!
I haven’t made a coffee cake in forever so I’m so glad I found your recipe. This was so delicious and exactly what I needed today. Thank you!
This was incredible! Keeping this one on file!
This is so moist and delicious! Loved the flavor and how quickly it comes together!
Move over muffins, my coffee and I just found a new best friend. This coffee cake is the best!
Can I just used expresso or black coffee instead of Kailua?
Hi Jenny!
Kahlua is sweet, boozy, and thicker than coffee. If you want a non-alcoholic option, try using some sort of quick cappuccino product that you make from powder. Make it a bit thicker than normal, to replicate the taste and texture of Kahlua.
I am a coffee cake LOVER. This is super yummy!
Definitely will try this recipe minus the nuts I hates nuts in my cake.
Love, made this cake about ten times so far and still continue to do so!
Loved it! Now I might try this with Amaretto and chopped almonds
Came out even Better than I expected
Was moist and delicious with a nice “KICK”
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I don’t care for pecans so I swapped them for hazelnut. This came out FANTASTIC!! It’s light, fluffy, flavorful and the crunchy sweet glaze is heavenly. I wonder if adding a wee bit of Kahlua to the cake batter would give it more coffee flavor or ruin the puffiness? This recipe is a keeper, I’m already making a list of ingredients for the next batch!
I made this today and hubby and I really liked the moistness. However, next time we’ll have the Kahlua on the side because we couldn’t really taste it, cc TV which made the coffee cake taste like other streusel cakes I’ve made. Aside from that, it is a very good recipe and I doubt it will last very long.😋
This coffee cake was very good but the Kahlua taste was better when it was warm.
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My coworkers and I love this recipe! I bring in a little treat every week and this is the one that gets the most raves. It’s delicious!!
YAY! So glad you like it Ashley. Thanks for reporting back. :)
Looks delicious! I wonder if chopped hazelnuts could be subbed in for the pecans. Then it would be a hazelnut coffee cake!
I used hazelnuts and it comes out wonderful!
I made this, and my guests loved it! Hubby prefers my other coffee cake (I think the pecans were throwing him off) but loved the idea of making it “adult” so needless to say we are inspired. Thanks Sommer!
Oh this looks so good. I had coffee cake every Sunday at college. It reminded me of home.
Wonder if it’s okay to just eat the top off. LOL Looks divine, Sommer. Perfect for a weekend brunch!
Oh my gosh- this is the best “adult” coffee cake- what a great idea for a brunch with friends :)
That crumb!!
My mom always had a coffee cake on hand for company, it would be so fabulous to have a good recipe on hand for just such an occassion!! This crumbly crust looks off the hook!
If you need me, I’ll be making this for brunch this weekend! Such a great idea!
A warm hug is such a good way to describe coffee cake. LOVE the layers too!
YES! Can not wait to try this!
The layers in this are calling to me!
This is soooo calling my name! Gorgeous!!
This looks so moist and delish!! I’d love a slice right now.
Wow! Kahlua in coffee cake….so blissful!
How fabulous is this?! Mmm!
Looks so moist and delicious!
This is next level coffee cake! I’ll take mine with a huge scoop of ice cream please!
I am obsessed with coffee cake, and this Kahlua just takes it over the top!
I wish I had this with my coffee this morning ;)
Sounds so delicious. Thank you.
I am a sucker for a great coffeecake. This looks so cozy!!