Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cake Recipe Made Easy

There’s something truly comforting about an old fashioned sour cream cake — a classic dessert that boasts a tender crumb, moist texture, and a subtle tang that brightens every bite. This cake has been a beloved staple in many family kitchens for generations, thanks to its simplicity and rich flavor.

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply want to treat yourself to a nostalgic homemade dessert, this recipe is incredibly easy to follow and delivers consistently delicious results.

With just a handful of pantry staples and sour cream as the secret ingredient, this cake is wonderfully moist without being heavy. It’s perfect served plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with your favorite frosting.

Let’s dive into this timeless recipe and bring a slice of tradition to your table!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Old fashioned sour cream cake is a classic for good reason. It strikes the perfect balance between a rich, buttery flavor and a light, fluffy texture.

The sour cream not only adds moisture but also lends a gentle tang that cuts through the sweetness, making the cake irresistibly delicious.

This recipe is incredibly versatile — easily customizable with add-ins like nuts, fruit, or spices. Plus, it requires no fancy equipment or complicated techniques, ideal for both beginner and experienced bakers.

Once you try it, this cake will quickly become your go-to dessert for everything from weekday treats to holiday celebrations.

And if you love this dessert, be sure to check out other delightful recipes like Afghan Vegetarian Pulao Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide, Vegan Recipes No Tofu: Delicious Plant-Based Meals, and Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas for more inspiration in your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sour cream (full-fat preferred)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) or ½ cup fresh berries

Equipment

• 9×9 inch square cake pan or 8-inch round cake pan
• Mixing bowls (at least two)
• Electric mixer or hand whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
• Sifter or fine mesh sieve (for dry ingredients)
• Cooling rack

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your cake pan with butter or non-stick spray and dust with flour to prevent sticking.
2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer or hand whisk until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Mix in the sour cream until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
6. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients with a spatula or wooden spoon, mixing gently until just blended. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
7. If using, fold in nuts or berries now for extra texture and flavor.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
9. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Remove from oven and let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips & Variations

For an extra moist cake, use full-fat sour cream and room temperature ingredients.

Try adding a teaspoon of lemon zest or almond extract for a unique flavor twist.

Swap half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat pastry flour for a nuttier, healthier cake.

Top with a simple powdered sugar glaze, cream cheese frosting, or fresh fruit for a stunning presentation.

To make cupcakes instead, fill lined muffin tins 2/3 full and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This old fashioned sour cream cake pairs beautifully with a cup of hot coffee or tea. For an indulgent dessert, serve slices with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Fresh berries or a drizzle of fruit compote add a refreshing contrast to the rich cake. You can also dust the top lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

For festive occasions, consider frosting the cake with cream cheese frosting or a simple buttercream. It also works wonderfully as a base for layered cakes with fresh fruit or chocolate ganache.

Conclusion

Old fashioned sour cream cake is a timeless dessert that delivers on flavor, texture, and simplicity. Its moist, tender crumb and subtle tang from the sour cream make it an ideal treat for any occasion.

Best of all, this recipe requires minimal ingredients and equipment, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.

Whether you enjoy it plain, frosted, or with your favorite toppings, this cake is sure to become a cherished favorite in your baking repertoire. For more delicious recipes to complement your baking adventures, explore our collection of vegan and vegetarian delights like Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food or 400 Calorie Vegetarian Dinner Recipe Ideas for Healthy Meals.

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cake”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A moist and tender cake with a rich sour cream base and classic vanilla flavor. Perfect for any occasion, this cake offers a delightful balance of sweet and tangy.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT45M”, “totalTime”: “PT1H”, “recipeYield”: “8 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder”, “1/2 teaspoon baking soda”, “1/4 teaspoon salt”, “1 cup unsalted butter, softened”, “1 1/2 cups granulated sugar”, “3 large eggs”, “1 teaspoon vanilla extract”, “1 cup sour cream”, “1/2 cup buttermilk”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix in vanilla extract.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Alternately add flour mixture and sour cream with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “350 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “5 g”, “fatContent”: “18 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “42 g”}}