Description
Classic New York crumb cake delivers pure bakery magic from Manhattan’s nostalgic kitchens. Buttery streusel topping crowns a tender cake base, promising sweet comfort with each crumbly, cinnamon-kissed bite you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (cake base)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (crumb topping)
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup light-brown sugar
Liquid and Binding Ingredients:
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons canola/vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Confectioners’ sugar (for dusting)
- Butter and flour (for greasing the pan)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan with butter, dust with flour, or line with parchment paper and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Sift together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring a uniform dry mixture.
- In a large bowl, whisk together egg, whole milk, vegetable oil, and pure vanilla extract until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, using a spatula to combine without overmixing, which could result in a tough cake texture.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly to create a thin, consistent base layer that covers all corners.
- Create the crumb topping by combining flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a separate bowl, then drizzle melted butter over the mixture and stir until it forms coarse, crumbly clusters.
- Generously scatter the crumb topping across the batter, using your fingers to break larger pieces and ensure an even distribution.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. Rotate the pan 180 degrees and continue baking for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack within the pan to maintain its structural integrity.
- Once cooled, dust the top generously with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh sieve for an elegant finish.
- Slice into squares or rectangles using a sharp serrated knife, and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Crumb cake secrets lie in the delicate balance between moist cake and crispy, buttery topping.
- Mixing techniques matter: combine dry ingredients separately from wet to ensure smooth, lump-free batter.
- Brown sugar and cinnamon transform ordinary crumbs into a rich, aromatic crown for this classic dessert.
- Breaking crumb topping into varied sizes creates a rustic, textured surface that looks homemade and appetizing.
- Cooling completely allows the cake to set, preventing crumbling and ensuring clean, picture-perfect slices.
- Store carefully to maintain the cake’s signature tender crumb and irresistible streusel crunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 359 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: <1 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg