Description
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.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg