Cozy Preparation Warm your oven and get your baking dish ready. Line it with parchment paper or give it a light spray of non-stick goodness.
Flour Magic Blend your dry ingredients smoothly, creating a silky foundation for your cake. Whisper the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a dance of deliciousness.
Liquid Harmony Mix your wet ingredients with gentle care. Let the egg, milk, oil, and vanilla swirl into a creamy symphony.
Batter Fusion Slowly introduce your dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Fold them together with tender love, keeping the batter light and airy.
Pan Canvas Spread your batter across the pan like an artist, ensuring every corner gets some attention. This layer will be delightfully thin.
Crumb Wonderland Create your topping by mixing flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Drizzle melted butter and let the ingredients mingle and become friends.
Crumb Shower Sprinkle those magical crumbs over your cake. Break them into chunks, creating a landscape of sweet texture.
Baking Adventure Slide your cake into the oven. Rotate halfway through to ensure even golden perfection. Watch for that magical moment when a toothpick comes out clean.
Cooling Rest Let your cake relax on a wire rack, allowing it to cool down and settle into its delicious form.
Final Touch Dust with a snow of confectioners' sugar and slice into beautiful pieces that invite smiles and joy.
Baking Tips for a Crumb Cake That Impresses
Sift dry ingredients twice for an ultra-light, silky-smooth cake texture that melts in your mouth.
Use room temperature butter when making crumb topping to ensure perfect, clumpy crumb formation that doesn't stick together.
Experiment with spice variations like adding nutmeg or cardamom to the crumb topping for a surprising flavor depth that wows taste buds.
Keep cake covered at room temperature in an airtight container, which preserves its tender crumb and prevents drying out for maximum freshness.
When combining wet and dry ingredients, use gentle folding motions to prevent tough cake texture – stop mixing the moment ingredients are just incorporated.
Presentation Tips for Crumb Cake
Brunch Crowd-Pleaser: Serve this delightful crumb cake alongside fresh fruit salad and steaming coffee for a weekend morning gathering that will impress your friends and family.
Sweet Afternoon Treat: Pair a slice with a cold glass of milk or hot tea, creating a perfect mid-day indulgence that satisfies sweet cravings instantly.
Dessert Option: Transform this cake into an elegant after-dinner dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top for extra decadence.
Gift-Worthy Delight: Wrap individual slices in cute parchment paper with a ribbon, making it a charming homemade gift for neighbors, teachers, or loved ones who appreciate freshly baked goodies.
Storing Crumb Cake Without Losing Texture
Smart Storage Solutions: Keep your New York crumb cake in an airtight container at room temperature, protecting those delicate crumbs from moisture and maintaining the cake's delightful texture.
Refrigeration Strategy: When storing for longer periods, seal the cake in a sealed container and refrigerate, which can extend its freshness up to 6-7 days while preventing potential spoilage.
Freezing Technique: Slice the cake into individual portions before wrapping each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag. Frozen crumb cake stays delicious for up to 3 months when properly sealed.
Quick Serving Tip: Remove refrigerated or frozen cake slices 30 minutes before enjoying, allowing them to reach room temperature and restore their original soft, tender crumb quality.
Classic New York crumb cake combines rich, buttery base with a thick, crumbly topping for an authentic East Coast bakery experience. Dense streusel layers create delightful texture that beckons home bakers to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup light-brown sugar
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (cake base)
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (crumb topping)
½ cup milk
1 large egg
2 tbsps canola/vegetable oil
2 tsps vanilla extract
½ cup granulated sugar
2 ½ tsps baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 ½ tsps ground cinnamon
Confectioners’ sugar (for dusting)
Butter and flour (for greasing the pan)
Instructions
Preparation: Calibrate oven to 325°F. Meticulously prepare a 9×13-inch baking vessel with butter or parchment, ensuring complete surface coverage to prevent potential sticking.
Dry Mixture Composition: Amalgamate flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt through a precise sifting process, creating a homogeneous dry foundation for the cake’s structure.
Liquid Integration: Whisk egg, whole milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract into a silky, harmonious liquid blend, guaranteeing smooth ingredient incorporation.
Batter Formation: Delicately merge dry and wet components using gentle folding techniques, avoiding aggressive mixing to preserve the cake’s tender crumb quality.
Crumb Topping Crafting: Combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then introduce melted butter, transforming the mixture into rustic, textured clusters that will crown the cake’s surface.
Assembly and Topping Distribution: Spread batter evenly across the prepared pan, then artfully scatter crumb mixture, breaking larger pieces to ensure uniform coverage and maximum textural intrigue.
Baking Precision: Position pan in preheated oven, rotating midway through the 20-22 minute baking cycle. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges cleanly from the cake’s center.
Cooling and Finishing: Allow cake to rest completely within the pan, then elegantly dust with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh sieve for a professional, appetizing presentation.
Serving and Storage: Slice into geometric portions using a sharp serrated knife, then preserve in an airtight container, maintaining optimal freshness for up to four days.
Notes
Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture to maintain a tender, soft cake texture without developing tough gluten strands.
Crumb Topping Technique: Break larger crumb clusters with fingers to achieve an even, consistent topping distribution across the entire cake surface.
Pan Rotation Matters: Rotate the baking pan halfway through cooking to ensure uniform heat distribution and prevent uneven browning or baking.
Storage Strategy: Keep cake fresh by storing in an airtight container at room temperature, which helps maintain its moisture and crumb quality for up to 4 days.
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.
Michael Reynolds
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.