First off — thank you for being here! Whether you’re sipping a quiet cup of coffee or scrolling for something sweet to bake for the weekend, I’m so glad you’ve landed here. This Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is one of those tried-and-true treasures I just have to share with you. It’s rich, soft, layered with a silky cream cheese filling, and topped with a crumbly, buttery streusel that will make your kitchen smell like a bakery.
This isn’t your average coffee cake. It’s cozy, creamy, and indulgent — but with just the right balance of textures and flavors. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert (and yes, sometimes all three in the same day — I won’t tell if you don’t!).
👉 Want this recipe sent to your inbox? Drop your email below to subscribe and get it delivered, plus more comforting classics and sweet surprises every week.
What Makes This Cream Cheese Coffee Cake So Special?
This coffee cake hits all the right notes:
- Soft, fluffy cake base with a slight tang from sour cream (hello, perfect crumb!)
- Luscious cream cheese filling that bakes into a custardy swirl — like cheesecake hiding in your breakfast
- Crumbly cardamom streusel topping that brings warm spice and buttery crunch
I promised you versatile, and here’s proof! This beauty works for brunch, holidays, baby showers, book clubs, or simply a Tuesday afternoon when you need a pick-me-up.
❤️ Reasons to Love This Recipe
- No dry bites here! The sour cream in the batter keeps the cake ultra moist.
- Layers of love — cream cheese filling tucked between soft cake and a crispy streusel.
- Easy to make ahead — it tastes even better the next day!
- Feeds a crowd — this generously serves 12–14.
What Does It Taste Like?
Imagine a mash-up between the best vanilla pound cake and a slice of classic cheesecake, all topped with that iconic crumb topping we all dig for. The cream cheese layer bakes into the batter, adding richness and a silky tang that keeps you going back for “just one more bite.” The streusel topping adds a little texture and warmth — especially if you include the cardamom.
The final bite? Sweet, tangy, creamy, soft, crunchy… anything but boring!!
Benefits of Making This Coffee Cake
✔️ Simple pantry ingredients
✔️ No fancy equipment needed
✔️ Crowd-pleasing (and freezer-friendly!)
✔️ Perfect for brunches, holidays, and sharing
📝 Ingredients List
For the Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 8 oz sour cream
For the Cream Cheese Filling
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 egg
For the Streusel Topping
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon cardamom (optional, but amazing)
- Pinch of salt
- 4 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
🍰 Tools You’ll Need
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Electric mixer (hand or stand)
- Mixing bowls (3)
- Rubber spatula
- Whisk
- Fork or pastry cutter (for streusel)
✨ Ingredient Swaps & Additions
- No cardamom? Use cinnamon or leave it out — it’s still delicious.
- Want it fruitier? Add a layer of sliced strawberries or raspberries with the cream cheese.
- Try a nutty twist: Sprinkle sliced almonds or chopped pecans into the streusel.
- Make it gluten-free: Substitute your favorite 1:1 GF baking blend.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. Make the Cake Batter
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients gradually, mixing until just combined.
- Gently stir in sour cream. Set aside.
3. Make the Cream Cheese Filling
- Beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Mix in sugar, vanilla, and egg. Beat until silky and lump-free.
4. Make the Streusel Topping
- In a small bowl, mix flour, sugars, cardamom, and salt.
- Cut in cold butter with a fork or your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Assemble the Cake
- Spread half the cake batter into the prepared pan.
- Spoon the cream cheese filling evenly over it.
- Add the remaining cake batter and gently swirl the top layer with a knife for a marble effect.
- Sprinkle all the streusel evenly over the top.
6. Bake
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the center is set and no longer jiggles.
- Cool completely before slicing to get those clean, defined layers.
🥄 What to Serve with Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
- Fresh berries or fruit salad
- A strong cup of coffee or a chai latte
- Whipped cream or Greek yogurt on the side
- Warmed up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert
🔥 Tips for Coffee Cake Success
- Don’t overmix the batter — especially once the flour goes in.
- Let ingredients like cream cheese, eggs, and butter come to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- For ultra-clean layers, chill the cream cheese filling for 10 minutes before layering.
- Want it extra golden? Sprinkle turbinado sugar on top before baking!
🧊 Storage Instructions
- Room Temp: Cover tightly and store for up to 2 days.
- Fridge: Keeps well for up to 5 days (bring to room temp before serving).
- Freezer: Freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic and foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat in the microwave.
ℹ️ General Information
- Allergens: Contains eggs, dairy (butter, cream cheese, sour cream), wheat (gluten)
- Dietary notes: Not vegan or gluten-free as written, but modifiable.
- Rated 4.3 by 16 reviewers – and one bite will show you why!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! It’s a perfect make-ahead treat. Bake the day before, cool completely, and refrigerate overnight. The flavors actually get better.
Can I make it in a bundt pan?
You can try it, but be careful with the filling — bundt pans don’t handle layers as evenly. You’ll want to swirl more than layer.
Can I halve the recipe?
Yes! Just use an 8×8 or 9×9 pan and reduce baking time to about 30–35 minutes.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely — it works well as a substitute, especially full-fat versions.
🧁 Craving More Like This?
Try these other comforting cake recipes that never disappoint:
- Blueberry Muffin Cake with Crumb Topping
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Loaf
- Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding
- Lemon Cream Cheese Crumb Bars
📸 Let’s Bake Together!
Tried this recipe? I’d love to see your results!
📍 Pin it on Pinterest
📸 Tag me on Instagram with your photos
📝 Leave a review below — it helps so much and makes my day!
🥣 Nutritional Information (Approx. per slice – 1/14 of recipe)
- Calories: ~330
- Total Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Sugar: 19g
- Protein: 5g
- Fiber: <1g
Note: Nutritional values vary depending on exact ingredients used.
