Sour Cream Coffee Cake Muffins

George Hirsch May 4, 2025

Would you like a bite of old-fashioned-style cake equally suitable for a morning coffee break, mid-day snack, and even dessert. If so, then this is it.

What I like about this coffee cake recipe is that it isn't overly sweet. I created this recipe using all-purpose flour, not cake flour, which makes a denser crumb with a nice texture. The dairy mix of sour cream, yogurt, and milk is a harmonious trifecta that achieves a light and flavorful addition to every slice. Use fresh eggs and butter, and you'll have a hit.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake Muffins

chefgeorgehirsch.com | George Hirsch Lifestyle

Makes about 18 muffins

For the Crumb Topping:

1/2 cup light brown sugar

6 Tablespoons sweet butter, softened

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Place the butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla in a bowl and crumble together with your fingers until it forms a crumb mixture. Add in the nuts—reserve and mix the muffin batter.

For the Cake:

1/2 cup sweet butter, one stick softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2 cups All-Purpose Flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt

1/4 cup 2% milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon fresh grated orange rind

Lightly grease 18 muffin cups or use paper liners.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (175 degrees C). Note: If using a dark-colored muffin pan, reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Dark-colored pans absorb more heat while baking in the oven, become hotter, and carry heat faster than light-colored pans.

Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Mix in eggs, vanilla, and orange zest, one at a time. Scrape the sides of the bowl again.

In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, yogurt, and milk. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately in three stages with the sour cream, yogurt, and milk mixture, stirring and scraping the bowl with a spatula after each addition. Mix until just blended. Do not over-mix.

Add half the batter into prepared muffin cups and sprinkle with half the topping mixture. With the back of the butter knife, swirl the batter slightly to mix the crumb mixture into the bottom of the muffin cups. 3/4 filled. Add the remaining batter, then the crumb topping, and bake.

Bake the muffins in a preheated 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until they test done. Cool for 15-20 minutes, and then remove them from the pan.

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AS SEEN ON PUBLIC TELEVISION & CREATE TV- SEASON ONE
FEATURING CHEF GEORGE HIRSCH DEMONSTRATING HIS SAVORY COOKING, BAKING AND GRILLING RECIPES; WITH HIS EXPERT CULINARY TIPS & TECHNIQUES, ALONG WITH VISITS TO HIS INSPIRING HAMPTON LOCATIONS.

Gather 'Round the Grill Cookbook, Vintage (new)

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LIMITED OFFER, LIMITED EDITION, signed by Chef George.

From the original Grilling TV Series host, 200 Fabulous Recipe—Celebrating the joyous rituals of sharing food at year-round festivities, the star of PBS's Grilling with Chef George Hirsch provides a wealth of recipes and ideas for great party foods, plus advance preparation tips to ease the strain of last minute chores.

Hardcover: 310 pages
Publisher: Hearst Books-HarperCollins; 1St edition (June 12, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0688142257
ISBN-13: 978-0688142254
Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8.1 x 1.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds

George Hirsch Living it UP! cooking & lifestyle book

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This easy to live with lifestyle plan; with more than 165 of George's easy-to-prepare gourmet recipes, you can lose weight, maintain energy, look better, and enjoy a longer active life, by eating great food!
M.Evans and Company, Inc.

George Starts your year off right!

George Hirsch Living it UP
Recipes for a Healthy Active Life
Product Details
Hardcover: 240 pages; $24.95
Publisher: M. Evans and Company, Inc.; 2000
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0871319241
ISBN-13: 978-0871319241
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches

Creative Cooking tips
Fast Easy recipes that allow for an active lifestyle
A 30-Day Menu Plan you can adapt throughout the year
Support and motivation for staying on a healthy eating & exercise routine
Tips for easy food shopping & eating healthy on the run

Each book is personally autographed by George Hirsch.

Best Chocolate Cake Ever

George Hirsch November 8, 2024

Simple solutions can give you the best results. Machines and gadgets are very important to many people, but I enjoy cooking when a simple whisk, spoon, or spatula does the job. This is the case with the Chocolate Torta recipe from my TV series George Hirsch Lifestyle episode, Old World Traditions. Enjoy.

***I invite you to Subscribe to my You Tube Channel, enjoy + Like as you view***

Mix by hand and bake. Forty-five minutes later you’ll be savoring this Italian Pastry delight!

George_Hirsch_Chocolate_Torta titled.png

George's Chocolate Torta

Makes 12 servings

chefgeorgehirsch.com | George Hirsch Lifestyle

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

1-1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder

1-1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 cup water

1/3 cup sweet butter, melted

1 egg, beaten

1 egg white, beaten into whole egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 325°. Lightly grease a 9-inch cake pan and line with baking parchment paper; set aside.

In a small bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine cocoa and granulated sugar until blended. With a wire whisk, beat in water, then melt butter, egg, egg white, and vanilla until smooth. Add flour mixture and beat until smooth. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. On a wire rack, cool for ten minutes in a pan. With a small spatula, loosen the cake from the sides of the pan. Remove to a wire rack and cool completely. Place on a plate and sprinkle with confectioner sugar and a dollop of fresh whipped cream. To serve, cut into small wedges.

Baking Tip:

This cake actually tastes better when baked and aged one day in advance. When making ahead, allow it to cool completely on a wire screen, then cover it tightly in an airproof container or place the baked chocolate torta back into the cake pan and wrap the top with film.

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Gather 'Round the Grill Cookbook, Vintage (new)

$50.00

LIMITED OFFER, LIMITED EDITION, signed by Chef George.

Hardcover: 310 pages
Publisher: Hearst Books-HarperCollins; 1St edition (June 12, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0688142257
ISBN-13: 978-0688142254
Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8.1 x 1.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds

George Hirsch Living it UP! cooking & lifestyle book

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pepitas

George Hirsch October 22, 2024

What to do with all those pumpkin seeds?

The edible seeds of a pumpkin, aka pepitas, are a delightful fall snack. Children especially love them. Served lightly salted and roasted, the pumpkin seed is a tasty fall treat - and a great source of fiber. Top on salads and soups or add to granola for a crunchy breakfast treat.

To roast your pumpkin seeds, do not wash them first! Washing removes all the natural flavor. Instead, remove the seeds from the strings and place a single layer on a cookie sheet. Add salt to taste and bake at 300° until dry, stirring occasionally.

Options to taste:

roasted garlic & lemon zest

cayenne pepper & sea salt

curry & cumin

cinnamon & brown sugar

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13 EPISODES on 4 HD-DVD Disk Set, season one

$19.95

Gather 'Round the Grill Cookbook, Vintage (new)

$50.00

LIMITED OFFER, LIMITED EDITION, signed by Chef George.

Hardcover: 310 pages
Publisher: Hearst Books-HarperCollins; 1St edition (June 12, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0688142257
ISBN-13: 978-0688142254
Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8.1 x 1.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds

George Hirsch Living it UP! cooking & lifestyle book

$24.95

Chocolate Pound Cake →

George Hirsch June 19, 2024

This recipe is one of those cakes that gets better with age; meaning, it tastes even better the day after it is baked. You may not have access to Sag Harbor Rum for the simple syrup, so if you find yourself in a strange port, use a good quality rum.

George Hirsch Chocolate Pound Cake, Sag Harbor Rum Syrup

Chocolate Pound Cake

Makes one loaf

chefgeorgehirsch.com | George Hirsch Lifestyle

1 1/2 cups cake flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup sweet butter, room temperature

1 cup pure cane granulated sugar

3 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder such as Droste

1/4 cup boiling hot water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a loaf pan with butter. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, mix cocoa powder into boiling water until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

In a separate bowl, mix cake flour with baking powder and salt.

Mix butter until softened at medium-high speed, about 1 - 2 minutes. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. With the mixer on low, add the eggs, one at a time, and mix well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after adding each egg. Add vanilla, orange zest, and cocoa mixture. Add the flour mixture and mix only until combined.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake on a center rack in the oven for about 50 - 55 minutes or until done. To test doneness, the cake will spring back when touched lightly with the index finger.

Remove the cake from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for about 15 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

Slice pound cake, and serve soaked with rum simple syrup and with fresh whipped cream.

To make simple syrup:

1 cup water, 2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup of Rum, and 1 orange, cut into quarters

Place all ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for five minutes. Remove and cool.

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13 EPISODES on 4 HD-DVD Disk Set, season one

$19.95

Gather 'Round the Grill Cookbook, Vintage (new)

$50.00

LIMITED OFFER, LIMITED EDITION, signed by Chef George.

Hardcover: 310 pages
Publisher: Hearst Books-HarperCollins; 1St edition (June 12, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0688142257
ISBN-13: 978-0688142254
Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8.1 x 1.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds

George Hirsch Living it UP! cooking & lifestyle book

$24.95

Banana Blueberry

George Hirsch June 3, 2024

Bananas are rich in vitamin B6 and are a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and manganese.

Blueberries are an antioxidant superfood packed with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids (compounds that protect our bodies from stress). They are also high in potassium and vitamin C, making them a top choice.

My banana blueberry muffin recipe adds some tartness to a sweet banana muffin. It's also a great take-along snack that's better for you than reaching for a candy bar.

Banana Blueberry Nut Muffins

chefgeorgehirsch.com | George Hirsch Lifestyle

makes 10-12 muffins

For the Crumb Topping:

1/3 cup light brown sugar

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 Tablespoons nuts, chopped

1 Tablespoon sweet butter

In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nuts. Blend butter in with a fork until the mixture is crumb-like.

For the Muffin Mix:

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups, about 3-4 large very ripe bananas, mashed

1/2 cup pure cane granulated sugar

3 Tablespoons honey

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped into 1/4 inch pieces

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/2 cup sweet butter, melted, or replace with part/ all applesauce

Lightly grease 10 muffin cups or line them with muffin papers.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Recipe Directions are below.

In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, honey, egg, cinnamon, vanilla, zest, nuts, and melted butter. Fold in the banana mixture by hand with a spatula into the flour mixture until just moistened.

Place batter into muffin cups filling each cup to three-quarters full. Place a few blueberries, about 1 Tablespoon, on top of each muffin. Divide the crumb topping evenly over the top of the muffin batter.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin; when a toothpick comes out clean or touched lightly, the muffin should have a slight resistance to finger pressure.

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