The Ultimate Homemade Crumb Cake Recipe: A Sweet Taste of Childhood Nostalgia and Comfort for a Crowd
Do you remember those little Hostess crumb cakes? For me, they evoke a powerful sense of childhood nostalgia. My dad, knowing my absolute adoration for them, would often bring them home as a special treat, and the memory of that simple act of kindness, coupled with the sweet, crumbly goodness, has stayed with me ever since. While many recipes I’ve tried over the years failed to capture that authentic taste, I’m thrilled today to share a truly delicious homemade crumb cake recipe that perfectly rekindles those cherished memories. This isn’t just any cake; it’s a comforting journey back to simpler times, wrapped in a blanket of buttery, cinnamon-spiced crumbs.
The Perfect Crumb Cake for Any Occasion (Especially a Crowd!)
Prepare yourself, because this recipe yields a truly generous amount of crumb cake. This isn’t a small, dainty dessert; it’s a full-fledged comfort food designed to share and savor. Its substantial size makes it an ideal breakfast treat or a delightful dessert for a holiday gathering when your house is filled with loved ones. Imagine serving warm squares of this aromatic streusel cake with a fresh cup of coffee or tea – it’s pure bliss! Beyond special occasions, this versatile cake is also perfect for everyday enjoyment. Cut into convenient squares and tucked into zipper sandwich bags, these delicious treats are fantastic for packing into lunchboxes, offering a sweet surprise to brighten anyone’s day. Its ability to feed a crowd, without compromising on flavor or texture, truly sets this crumb cake apart.
A Culinary Adventure with The Secret Recipe Club
It was through the delightful world of The Secret Recipe Club that I stumbled upon this gem. Each month, participants are assigned a fellow blogger’s site, tasked with choosing, making, and reviewing one of their recipes. This wonderful culinary community is a fantastic way to discover new blogs and expand your cooking repertoire. For this particular month, I had the pleasure of exploring Chris and Rachel’s blog, The Keenan Cookbook. It quickly became clear why they make such a formidable team: Chris masterfully handles the cooking and baking, while Rachel brings her artistic eye to the photography and editing. Their collaboration truly results in a blog that is a match made in food blogger heaven, offering both inspiring recipes and beautiful visuals!
Exploring The Keenan Cookbook’s Other Irresistible Creations
Diving into The Keenan Cookbook was an absolute treat, as their blog is brimming with an array of mouth-watering dishes. I actually bookmarked several recipes that immediately caught my eye, making the choice for the Secret Recipe Club assignment quite challenging! The White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, for instance, sounds absolutely divine and has already been added to my list of potential Christmas baking projects. Then there was the intriguing Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese—a savory delight that I still have saved, eagerly waiting for the perfect moment to try it. And let’s not forget the utterly decadent Cookies and Cream Oreo Fudge Brownies – O. M. G., indeed! Despite these tempting options, my heart ultimately led me to a recipe affectionately titled Mom’s Crumb Cake, a decision I certainly don’t regret.
Mom’s Crumb Cake: First Impressions, Insights, and Adaptations
Initially, the sheer quantity of butter called for in the crumb topping of this particular crumb cake recipe gave me pause – and I’m certainly not one to shy away from butter! However, my “cholesterol meter” quickly recalibrated once I realized that this indulgent topping would be spread across a large 12×17 jelly roll pan. This recipe truly is designed to produce a substantial, satisfying cake. It’s not only incredibly delicious but also remarkably easy to prepare, making it a fantastic choice for bakers of all skill levels. My only personal note, and this is by no means a critique of the recipe or Chris and Rachel’s wonderful work, is that it utilizes a yellow cake mix. While convenient and certainly effective in a pinch, I’ve developed a preference for baking cakes from scratch, as I find boxed mixes, especially yellow cake, can sometimes be overly sweet for my palate. The texture and flavor of this homemade crumb cake are still exceptional, but I’m eager to experiment! I envision trying this recipe again with a homemade cake base, perhaps even adapting it into delightful individual muffin forms. The possibilities for customization are endless once you master this fantastic foundation.
Crafting the Perfect Crumb: Tips and Tricks for Success
The secret to an exceptional crumb cake lies not just in the moist cake base, but in achieving that perfect, irresistible crumb topping. Here are a few tips to ensure your homemade crumb cake turns out beautifully every time:
- Butter Temperature is Key: For the crumb topping, ensure your butter is softened but not melted. It should be pliable enough to mix easily with the dry ingredients, but still hold its shape. This allows for the formation of distinct, large crumbs rather than a pasty mixture. If it’s too warm, chill it slightly.
- Achieving the Right Crumb Consistency: When combining the topping ingredients, mix until the flour, sugar, and spices are evenly distributed and the butter is incorporated, creating a mixture that resembles wet sand or coarse crumbs. You can use your hands, a pastry blender, or even a fork. Don’t overmix; some larger clumps are desirable for that signature crumbly texture.
- Even Spreading: When spreading the cake batter into the jelly roll pan, aim for an even layer. This ensures uniform baking and prevents one part of the cake from being under or overdone.
- Gentle Crumbling: Distribute the crumb topping evenly over the partially baked cake. Avoid pressing the crumbs down too firmly, as this can lead to a dense, less crumbly texture. You want them to retain their light, airy quality.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on the cake during the second baking phase. The toothpick test is your best friend here. A clean toothpick inserted into the cake (avoiding the crumb topping) indicates it’s done. Overbaking can lead to a dry cake.
- Cooling Patience: While tempting to dive in immediately, allowing the crumb cake to cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing helps the crumbs set and makes for cleaner cuts.
Serving Suggestions and Storage for Your Delicious Crumb Cake
Once your homemade crumb cake is baked to golden perfection, the possibilities for enjoying it are endless. Here are some ideas:
- Classic Breakfast or Brunch: Serve warm or at room temperature alongside coffee, tea, or a glass of milk. It’s a perfect accompaniment to a lazy weekend morning.
- Dessert Delight: A slice of crumb cake makes for a comforting dessert, especially when paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Snack Time Treat: Its substantial nature makes it a satisfying afternoon snack.
- Garnish: While optional, a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar once the cake has cooled completely adds a beautiful presentation and a touch more sweetness.
- Storage: Store leftover crumb cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer freshness, you can refrigerate it for up to a week.
- Freezing: This crumb cake freezes beautifully! Once completely cooled, cut it into individual squares, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave or oven.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Crumb Cake
Here are answers to some common questions you might have when making this delicious crumb cake:
- Can I make this crumb cake entirely from scratch?
- Absolutely! While this recipe uses a cake mix for convenience, you can certainly substitute a homemade yellow cake recipe. Just ensure the batter consistency is similar – a thick, satiny batter works best. Adjust baking times as necessary.
- What if I don’t have a 12×17 jelly roll pan?
- You can use a smaller pan, such as a 9×13 inch baking pan, but you will need to adjust the recipe quantity significantly, potentially halving both the cake and crumb topping ingredients, or bake it in two separate batches. Be aware that using the full recipe in a smaller pan will result in a much thicker cake and an overwhelming amount of crumb topping.
- Can I add other spices to the crumb topping?
- Yes, feel free to get creative! A pinch of nutmeg, a dash of allspice, or even a touch of cardamom could add wonderful depth to the cinnamon. You could also mix in some finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added texture and flavor.
- How do I prevent the crumb topping from sinking?
- The key here is adding the crumb topping to a partially baked cake. By baking the cake base for 10 minutes first, it develops enough structure to support the weight of the crumbs, preventing them from sinking into the batter.
- Is there a gluten-free option for this recipe?
- To make this gluten-free, you would need to use a gluten-free yellow cake mix and a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the crumb topping. Ensure your chosen gluten-free flour blend includes xanthan gum, or add it separately, for best results.
- Can I make the crumb topping ahead of time?
- Yes, you can prepare the crumb topping a day or two in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to use, simply break it up with your fingers if it has clumped together.
Big thanks to Chris and Rachel for sharing this fantastic recipe! It truly is a delightful creation that brings joy to every bite.
Crumb Cake for a Crowd
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
For the cake
- 1 box of yellow cake mix NOT pudding type
- 3 eggs
- 11/3 cup water
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
For the crumb topping
- 1 pound of softened butter 4 sticks
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 11/3 cup sugar
- 3 tsp vanilla
- 3 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
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Combine cake ingredients and beat in mixer for 4 minutes. This creates a very satiny, thick batter. Spread into a 12×17 jelly roll pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes.
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Combine crumb topping ingredients until it has the consistency of wet sand.
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Crumble over partially cooked cake. Return cake to oven for 10-15 minutes more (toothpick should come out clean if not return to oven).
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Optional: Cool and sprinkle with confectioner sugar.
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Cut into squares.
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.