Chocolate Chip Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe for Moist, Tender Cake

This Chocolate Chip Sour Cream Coffee Cake is a tender, fluffy breakfast cake layered with chocolate chips and a dusting of cinnamon sugar. Two layers of moist cake are separated and topped with generous chocolate chips and cinnamon sugar for a comforting treat that’s best served slightly warm.

Sliced squares of chocolate chip sour cream coffee cake on brown parchment paper with the center slice on its side.

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients Needed
  • How to Make the Recipe
  • Storage and Freezing
  • Helpful Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Breakfast Treats to Enjoy!
  • Chocolate Chip Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe

Ingredients Needed

Below are the key ingredients for this sour cream chocolate chip coffee cake. Notes highlight suggested substitutes and tips for best results.

Ingredients in various size bowls labeled as baking soda, baking powder, milk chocolate chips, vanilla extract, cinnamon sugar, unsalted butter, eggs, sour cream, all purpose flour, and granulated sugar on a white marbled background.
  • Sour Cream. Full-fat sour cream yields the best texture. Plain or vanilla full-fat Greek yogurt can be used instead.
  • Milk Chocolate Chips. Milk or semi-sweet chips both work — choose according to your sweetness preference.
  • Cinnamon Sugar. You can buy it premixed or make your own (a good ratio is 1 part cinnamon to 3 parts sugar). Store any extra in an airtight container.
Slices of chocolate chip coffee cake on brown parchment paper with small bowl of chocolate chips placed next to it.

How to Make the Recipe

Here is a concise overview of the method for this easy chocolate chip sour cream coffee cake. The full recipe with exact measurements appears in the recipe card below.

All purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda whisked together in a large glass mixing bowl on a white marbled background.

Step 1. Whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda together in a bowl and set aside.

Whisked butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large glass mixing bowl on a white marbled background.

Step 2. Beat softened unsalted butter until creamy, then add the granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until combined.

Sour cream coffee cake batter in a large glass mixing bowl on a white marbled background.

Step 3. On low speed, alternate adding the dry mixture and sour cream to the butter mixture until just combined. The batter will be thick and slightly sticky.

Sour cream coffee cake batter spread into a nine inch square parchment paper lined ceramic baking dish on a white marbled background.

Step 4. Spread half of the batter into a prepared 9-inch square pan.

Chocolate chips and cinnamon sugar added to the top of the sour cream coffee cake batter in a nine inch square parchment paper lined ceramic baking dish on a white marbled background.

Step 5. Sprinkle half the chocolate chips and half the cinnamon sugar over the batter. Top with the remaining batter, then finish with the remaining chips and cinnamon sugar.

Baked chocolate chip sour cream coffee cake in a nine inch square parchment paper lined ceramic baking dish on a white marbled background.

Step 6. Bake at 350ºF for about 32–35 minutes, or until the cake begins to pull away from the sides and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool slightly before slicing.

Storage and Freezing

Store the coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

To freeze, wrap cooled slices tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Frozen slices keep well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator or reheat gently.

Sliced chocolate chip coffee cake placed on brown parchment paper.

Helpful Tips

  • Use a 9-inch square pan for best results.
  • Spray the pan with a flour-based baking spray or grease and flour it to ensure easy removal.
  • If you don’t have premixed cinnamon sugar, blend 1 part cinnamon to 3 parts sugar and store the remainder.
  • Serve slightly warm for the best texture. Reheat leftovers 15–30 seconds in the microwave for a fresh-from-the-oven feel.

Recipe FAQs

Can you freeze chocolate chip coffee cake?

Yes. Wrap cooled slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.

How do you prevent chocolate chips from sinking during baking?

Toss chips in a light dusting of flour before folding them into the batter, or use mini chocolate chips which are less likely to sink.

What can I use as a sour cream substitute in coffee cake?

Plain or vanilla full-fat Greek yogurt can replace sour cream in this recipe.

More Breakfast Treats to Enjoy!

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5 Ingredient Butterscotch Bundt Rolls

Sliced blueberry swirl coffee cake squares on a white parchment paper background.

Blueberry Swirl Coffee Cake

Mini chocolate banana muffins topped with mini chocolate chips placed close together on a white background.

Mini Chocolate Banana Blender Muffins

Sliced chocolate croissant loaf placed on brown parchment paper lined gold tray and white background.

Chocolate Croissant Loaf

If you try this Chocolate Chip Sour Cream Coffee Cake, please leave a star rating and share your feedback in the comments. Thank you for visiting!

Chocolate Chip Sour Cream Coffee Cake

4.43 from 14 votes
Author: Jennifer
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 16 servings
Sliced squares of chocolate chip sour cream coffee cake on brown parchment paper with the center slice on its side.
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Light, fluffy, and filled with chocolate chips and cinnamon sugar, this coffee cake is ideal for sharing with neighbors, coworkers, or enjoying on a relaxed weekend morning.

Ingredients

  • 2 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Large Eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 8 oz Sour Cream (or plain/vanilla Greek yogurt)
  • 8 oz Milk Chocolate Chips, divided
  • 4 tsp Cinnamon Sugar, divided

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF and position the rack just above center. Generously coat a 9-inch square pan with a flour-based baking spray or grease and flour it.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
  • Using a mixer, beat the unsalted butter on medium-high until creamy. Add the granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla and beat until incorporated.
  • Switch mixer to low and alternately add the dry ingredients and sour cream, mixing until just combined. Scrape the bowl as needed. The batter should be thick and slightly sticky.
  • Spread half the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half the chocolate chips and half the cinnamon sugar over the batter.
  • Spread the remaining batter over the layer, then top with the remaining cinnamon sugar and chocolate chips. Add extra chips if desired.
  • Bake for 32–35 minutes at 350ºF, or until the cake pulls away from the sides and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
  • Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days or refrigerated up to 5 days. For freezing, wrap cooled slices in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months.

Video

Notes

Use a 9″ x 9″ pan for best results.
Spray the pan with flour-based baking spray or grease and flour to help release the cake.
To make cinnamon sugar, mix 1 part cinnamon to 3 parts sugar and store leftovers in an airtight jar.
This recipe is adapted from the author’s family cookbook and is best enjoyed slightly warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 243 kcal | Carbohydrates: 29 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 13 g

Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients used.

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