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Served slice of easy cinnamon cake on a plate

Easy Moist Cinnamon Cake – With Sour Cream

A buttery, moist cinnamon cake with a sweet crumb topping — perfect for coffee time, tea time, or as a snack any day.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake batter
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • 2 eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cups All purpose Flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • pinch of Salt
Streusel layer
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp All-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp cinnamon powder
  • 1 tbsp melted butter (optional, for a more distinct layer)
Crumbly Topping
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ tsp cinnamon powder
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup neutral oil or 3 tbsp melted butter for a richer flavor
OPTIONAL CREAM CHEESE GANACHE
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp milk (adjust for desired consistency)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Method
 

CAKE BATTER
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and Grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan or line with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, eggs, and granulated sugar until pale and well combined.
    whisking eggs, melted butter and sugar
  3. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
  4. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir using a spatula Important: Mix until just combined; do not over-mix, or the cake will be tough.
    mixing cinnamon cake batter
THE MIDDLE STREUSEL LAYER
  1. For the middle layer, In a small bowl, mix the sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add 1 tbsp of melted butter and stir until well combined.
    Streusel layer over one half of the cinnamon cake batter
  2. Pour half of the cake batter into the pan.
    Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the batter.
    Pro-Tip: To add the remaining batter, drop small spoonfuls (dollops) over the streusel and then gently smooth the top with a knife. This prevents the streusel from mixing into the batter so streusel sits in between the two layers of the batter.
CRUMBLY TOPPING
  1. To make the topping, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and oil until crumbly
    crumbly topping for the Cake
  2. Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the top layer of cake batter.
  3. Bake the cake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  4. Allow the cake to cool before slicing and serving.
    baked cake
OPTIONAL CREAM CHEESE GANACHE
  1. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
  2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until combined.
  3. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until it is thin enough to drizzle.
  4. Once the cinnamon cake has cooled slightly, drizzle the cream cheese ganache over the top before serving.
    served slice of easy cinnamon cake on a plate

Notes

  • This cake keeps well at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated for up to 4 days.
  • This cream cheese ganache turns the cinnamon cake into a cinnamon roll–style dessert. For a thicker glaze, reduce the milk.