Description
This moist sourdough blueberry coffee cake is packed with flavor! Pops of juicy blueberries are scattered throughout the cake, while a ribbon of cinnamon sugar runs through the middle. It’s topped with a brown sugar crumble just before baking, and then drizzled with a quick vanilla icing for a beautiful finish. It is the perfect recipe for an extra special breakfast, or for when you simply want to use up fresh blueberries.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Coffee Cake
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup sourdough starter (discard or active)
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 heaping cup fresh blueberries (tossed with 2 tsp flour)
Cinnamon Swirl
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Brown Sugar Crumble
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Liberally coat an 8 x 8 pan with butter or non-stick spray and set aside.
- Make the crumble topping: In a small bowl, add the cold butter, brown sugar, and flour. Gently mix with your hands until combined and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside while you prepare the coffee cake.
- Make the cake: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a silicone spatula as needed. Add the egg, sourdough discard, and vanilla, beating on medium-high speed until combined.
- Turn the mixer down to low and begin gradually adding in the dry ingredients. Continuing beating at a low speed until everything is combined. Once combined, turn the mixer off and gently fold in the sour cream until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Gently toss the blueberries with two teaspoons of flour and then add them to the bowl, being sure to gently fold them into the batter.
- Make the cinnamon swirl mixture: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir gently and set aside.
- Add half of the coffee cake batter into the prepared pan, using an offset spatula to spread the mixture evenly. Sprinkle the streusel mixture over the top of the batter, and then add the remaining batter, spreading evenly.
- Add the crumble topping to the top of the cake before placing in the oven. Bake for 1 hour or until golden brown and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Make the vanilla icing: Once the cake has cooled completely, begin making the icing. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoon milk or cream, and a small splash of vanilla extract. Using a whisk, whisk together until smooth. The icing should be thick but pourable.
- Drizzle the icing over the cooled cake. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Blueberries: Be sure to toss the blueberries in flour before adding to the cake batter. This helps keep them from all sinking to the bottom of the cake. If using frozen blueberries, be sure to toss them in flour before adding to the batter. Frozen blueberries will also affect the bake time, with the cake requiring an additional 5-10 minutes to bake fully.
- Pan Size: I recommend an 8 x 8 baking dish for this recipe. If you are looking for another variation, try out my original sourdough coffee cake, which gets baked in a Bundt pan.
- Vanilla Glaze: Totally optional, but makes the cake extra pretty and delicious. For a different variation, try dusting the top of the cake with powdered sugar once cooled.
- Storage: This cake will store well at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 1 week (if it lasts that long!) I typically store any leftover cake on the counter wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.
- Freezing Instructions: A baked and cooled cake (with or without icing) can be sliced and stored in an airtight, freezer-safe container and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before slicing and serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hr
- Category: Sourdough
- Method: Baking
