Crumb cake is a delicious dessert with a moist cake base and a crunchy, buttery crumb topping. It’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Here’s a classic and easy recipe for making a crumb cake at home!
Classic Crumb Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
For the cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk (or substitute with regular milk)
For the crumb topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar or brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch square pan (or a similar-sized round pan).
- Make the cake batter:
- In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk in 3 parts, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Prepare the crumb topping:
- In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour in the melted butter and stir with a fork until the mixture forms small clumps (like coarse crumbs).
- Assemble the cake:
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle the crumb topping generously over the cake batter.
- Bake:
- Bake for about 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- The top should be golden and slightly crisp.
- Cool and serve:
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve as-is or dust with a little powdered sugar for extra sweetness!
Variations & Tips:
- Add-ins: Add chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) or fresh berries to the batter for an extra layer of flavor.
- Spice it up: Try a dash of nutmeg or ginger in the crumb topping for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
This crumb cake is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea. It’s simple, comforting, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser! Enjoy! 😊
