27 Irresistible Cakes Made with Sour Cream

Grandma's Sour Cream Pound Cake
Photo: Gilda George

What do all these delicious cakes have in common? They're incredibly moist, thanks to one powerhouse secret ingredient: sour cream. The dairy aisle staple adds a subtle tang while creating a uniquely rich texture. Whether you're looking for a classic pound cake or Bundt (try this Sour Cream Lemon Pound Cake with Cherry Compote or Grandma's Sour Cream Pound Cake), a moist coffee cake (Chef John's Pecan Sour Cream Coffee Cake has a fantastic streusel topping), or a decadent chocolate dessert (the award-winning Too Much Chocolate Cake has more than 6,500 five-star reviews), you'll find a new favorite in this collection of sour cream cake recipes.

01 of 27

Sour Cream Lemon Pound Cake with Cherry Compote

Sour Cream Lemon Pound Cake with Cherry Compote
abapplez

"I love this cake," raves reviewer nick. "I've made it several times and it has always turned out great — quite moist and dense."

02 of 27

Sour Cream Bundt Cake

Sour Cream Bundt Cake
Briana Moreland

You only need four ingredients to make this incredibly moist Bundt: yellow or chocolate cake mix, sour cream, vanilla extract, and confectioners' sugar.

03 of 27

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

sour cream coffee cake baked in a bundt pan
Crin

This crowd-pleasing coffee cake recipe has a surprise inside: A layer of sugary cinnamon walnuts adds a pleasant crunch to an otherwise pillowy soft cake.

04 of 27

Make-Ahead Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Make-Ahead Sour Cream Coffee Cake
SHORECOOK

Mix up this classic coffee cake, which has a sweet pecan topping, the night before you plan to eat it. When you wake up, just pop it in the oven and serve warm.

05 of 27

Grandma's Sour Cream Pound Cake

Grandma's Sour Cream Pound Cake
Gilda George

"Wow ... what a moist and flavorful cake," according to reviewer CLANCYSMOM. "I've been searching for a sour cream bundt cake recipe like my mom used to make and this is it."

06 of 27

Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake
kimkim79

Use fresh or frozen berries to make this delightful Bundt. If you're using frozen fruit, recipe creator d newman recommends lengthening the bake time a bit.

07 of 27

Cranberry Upside Down Sour Cream Cake

Cranberry Upside Down Sour Cream Cake
Cranberry Upside Down Sour Cream Cake | Photo by abapplez.

"I received this recipe a couple of years ago from a friend and get rave reviews from everyone each time I prepare it," says recipe creator LINDA MAUGERI. "It is not only delicious, but very pretty for a holiday table."

08 of 27

Pecan Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Pecan Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Chef John

"For me, the best part about coffee cake is the crispy, crunchy, buttery crumbs," says Chef John. "So here I significantly upped the amounts used. Bake times will vary according to pan size and composition."

09 of 27

Instant Pot Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping

Instant Pot Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping
lutzflcat

Use your pressure cooker to make this decadent cheesecake. The three-ingredient topping, made with sour cream, sugar, and vanilla extract, is a creamy addition.

10 of 27

Too Much Chocolate Cake

Too Much Chocolate Cake
Amber Dehn-Koenig

This award-winning cake has more than 6,500 five-star reviews. "This chocolate cake is phenomenal," raves user Ellen E. "I have been making this for about 2 years now for many, many different occasions, and it always gets rave reviews."

11 of 27

White Almond Wedding Cake

White Almond Wedding Cake
jnalcantar

"A secret ingredient of sour cream makes this cake so moist, dense, and delicious," says recipe creator CUPYCAKESMURF. "I use this recipe for my kids' birthdays, but it's a favorite for wedding cakes, too! This recipe can easily be doubled."

12 of 27

Chantal's New York Cheesecake

a closeup of a slice of sour cream-topped cheesecake with a fresh strawberry and glaze
chibi chef

"This cake is easy to make, and it's so delicious," according to recipe creator Taliesen. Everyone that's tried it has said it tasted just like the ones in a deli!"

13 of 27

Chocolate Cavity Maker Cake

Chocolate Cavity Maker Cake
NashvilleSky

"This cake is so moist and rich there's absolutely no need for frosting," says recipe creator Caitlin Koch. "This cake made me an instant star with my clients. I quickly became known as 'that incredible chocolate cake lady!'"

14 of 27

Oma's Rhubarb Cake

slice of rhubarb cake on a white plate
ReneePaj

"Oma always makes this for her grandkids after she picks through her garden," says recipe creator Alea. "Probably not good for the thighs, but Oma's cooking is always good for the taste buds."

15 of 27

Easy Apple Coffee Cake

Easy Apple Coffee Cake
Easy Apple Coffee Cake | Photo by KIMMIE5474.

This easy coffee cake is super moist thanks to two secret ingredients: sour cream and instant pudding mix. It's best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, according to recipe creator Carol Semenuk.

16 of 27

Texas Sheet Cake V

Texas Sheet Cake piece being served
AllrecipesPhoto

"I have made this recipe for years," says recipe creator Carolyn Herbert. "My children always chose it for their birthday cake over any other, and it makes enough for a crowd. Moist and delicious."

17 of 27

Amazing Pecan Coffee Cake

slice of Amazing Pecan Coffee Cake on a white plate
leah noel

"Melt in your mouth," recipe creator DWBH says of this nutty coffee cake. "My mother-in-law actually asked for this recipe ... now THAT'S saying something."

18 of 27

Double Chocolate Brownie Cake

Double Chocolate Brownie Cake
Cookies

This decadent brownie cake is made with a package of devil's food cake mix, but nobody will know it's not made from scratch.

19 of 27

Banana Bread Bars with Brown Butter Frosting

Banana Bread Bars with Brown Butter Frosting
Traci Noche

If you like banana bread, you'll love these light and moist banana bread cake bars. Brown butter frosting is topped with chopped pecans for a pleasant crunch.

20 of 27

Apple Butter Spice Cake

Apple Butter Spice Cake on a white plate topped with sauce
abapplez

"This is a very good and moist cake recipe I received from my grandmother years ago," says recipe creator Shirley. "It makes a nice addition to any dinner table."

21 of 27

Easy Dump Cake

easy dump cake baked in a Bundt pan
Laura

Looking for an easy dump cake recipe for first time bakers? Your search ends with this one-bowl cake, which starts with vanilla cake mix and instant pudding mix.

22 of 27

Cranberry Swirl Coffee Cake

cranberry coffee cake on a white plate
momoffivepoikas

"This old family recipe is delicious for breakfast on Thanksgiving day, or to eat while watching the parade," according to recipe creator Laura Owen. "Plain yogurt can be substituted for sour cream."

23 of 27

Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Coffee Cake

a slice of cake with a white icing drizzle and a ribbon of cinnamon streusel on a white plate
LaurenM

"A friend of mine gave me this recipe years ago," says recipe creator Ruth. "Sometimes I lower the fat content by using fat-free sour cream or yogurt instead of the sour cream."

24 of 27

Sock it to Me Cake III

Sock it to Me Cake III with a slice cut
LibertyBelle78

This decadent cake, which starts with a package of butter cake mix, gets its fantastic moist texture from sour cream and vegetable oil.

25 of 27

Cranberry Sour Cream Kuchen

cranberry sour cream kuchen
Baking Nana

"This is a holiday breakfast favorite in our home," according to recipe creator AUNT MAMIE. "It is equally delicious served warm or cold, and it also freezes well, so you can make it ahead."

26 of 27

Russian Honey Cake

Russian Honey Cake on a wooden cake stand
Chef John

"The tiny amount of bitterness we get from the burnt honey really is the secret here, and the slightly tangy whipped cream frosting provides a bit of acidity and lovely light texture," says Chef John.

27 of 27

Oreo Loaf Cake

Oreo Loaf Cake
The Sweet and Sour Baker

You can mix up this sour cream loaf cake using just one bowl, so cleanup is a breeze. Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and white chocolate chips make this recipe simply irresistible.

Was this page helpful?