The Ultimate New York Style Crumb Cake Recipe: Bakery-Perfect in Your Kitchen!

Craving that classic New York crumb cake, the kind with the impossibly thick, buttery, and perfectly sweet crumb topping that practically melts in your mouth? Look no further! This recipe delivers an authentic New York style crumb cake experience, right from your own oven. Forget the bakery lines – you’ll be baking up a masterpiece that rivals even the most seasoned professionals. This recipe provides detailed steps and instructions to ensure success, even for novice bakers. Get ready for a crumb cake that’s tender, moist, and utterly irresistible.

Why This Recipe Works

This isn’t just another crumb cake recipe. We’ve meticulously crafted this version to capture the essence of a true New York bakery crumb cake. Here’s what sets it apart:

• The Crumb-to-Cake Ratio: The key to a great crumb cake is, of course, the crumb! We’ve perfected the proportions to ensure a generous layer of that signature buttery, crumbly topping.
• Butter is King: This recipe uses unsalted butter, and plenty of it. Butter is the foundation of both the cake and the crumb, lending richness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Cake Texture: The cake itself is tender and moist, providing the perfect contrast to the crunchy crumb. We achieve this through the use of sour cream and a careful balance of dry and wet ingredients.
• The Right Sweetness: We’ve struck the perfect balance of sweetness, ensuring the cake is sweet enough to satisfy without being cloying.
• Detailed Instructions: Clear, step-by-step instructions make this recipe accessible to bakers of all skill levels.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather the following ingredients. It’s always best to have everything measured out and ready to go. Using high-quality ingredients will also significantly impact the final result.

For the Cake:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks, 170g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) sour cream

For the Crumb Topping:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks, 170g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes

Equipment You’ll Need

• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Pastry blender or fork (for the crumb topping)
• Rubber spatula
• Wire rack

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get baking! Follow these detailed instructions carefully for the best results.

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. Alternatively, you can line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. This is highly recommended.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake.

Step 3: Make the Crumb Topping

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and cinnamon.
2. Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The mixture should be crumbly and slightly clumpy. It’s important that the butter is cold, as this will create the best crumbly texture. If the butter gets too warm, the crumbs will become greasy and flat. You can even chill the dry ingredients and butter for 15-20 minutes before beginning to ensure the butter stays cold.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Crumb Cake

1. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
2. Sprinkle Crumb Topping: Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the cake batter. Make sure to distribute the crumbs generously, covering the entire surface.
3. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and the crumbs should be nicely browned.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

1. Cool in Pan: Let the crumb cake cool in the pan for at least 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving. This allows the cake to set and makes it easier to slice.
2. Serve: Serve warm or at room temperature. The cake is delicious on its own, or you can serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips for Success

Here are a few extra tips to ensure your New York style crumb cake is a resounding success:

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients, especially butter and eggs, helps them emulsify properly, resulting in a smoother and more even batter. This leads to a more tender cake.
• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
• Cold Butter is Key for Crumb Topping: As mentioned earlier, cold butter is crucial for achieving that perfect crumbly texture. If the butter gets too warm, the crumbs will become greasy and flat.
• Check for Doneness: Use a wooden skewer to check for doneness. If the skewer comes out clean, the cake is ready. If it comes out with wet batter, continue baking for a few more minutes and check again.
• Let it Cool: Allowing the cake to cool completely before cutting helps it to set and prevents it from crumbling.

Variations and Add-Ins

Want to customize your crumb cake? Here are a few delicious variations and add-ins:

• Fruit: Add fresh or frozen berries to the cake batter for a fruity twist. Blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries work particularly well.
• Nuts: Add chopped nuts to the crumb topping for extra crunch and flavor. Pecans, walnuts, and almonds are all great choices.
• Spices: Experiment with different spices in the crumb topping. Nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger can add warmth and depth of flavor.
• Chocolate Chips: Add chocolate chips to the cake batter for a chocolatey treat.
• Lemon Zest: Add lemon zest to the cake batter for a bright and citrusy flavor.
• Almond Extract: A touch of almond extract can enhance the vanilla flavor and add a subtle nutty note.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover crumb cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the crumb cake for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about making New York style crumb cake:

Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

A: While you can use salted butter, it’s generally recommended to use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt in the recipe. If you do use salted butter, reduce the amount of salt in the cake batter by half.

Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter?

A: While margarine can be used in a pinch, it won’t provide the same rich flavor and texture as butter. Butter is highly recommended for the best results.

Q: Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?

A: Yes, you can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream in the cake batter. It will provide a similar tangy flavor and moistness.

Q: My crumb topping is too dry. What should I do?

A: If your crumb topping is too dry, add a tablespoon or two of melted butter until it reaches the desired consistency. The mixture should be crumbly and slightly clumpy.

Q: My crumb topping is too greasy. What should I do?

A: If your crumb topping is too greasy, add a tablespoon or two of flour until it reaches the desired consistency. Make sure the butter is cold to prevent it from becoming too greasy.

Q: My cake is sinking in the middle. What happened?

A: A cake that sinks in the middle can be caused by several factors, including overmixing the batter, using too much leavening agent (baking powder or baking soda), or opening the oven door too frequently during baking. Make sure to follow the recipe carefully and avoid these common mistakes.

Q: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

A: Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure to use a blend that contains xanthan gum or add it separately to help bind the ingredients together.

Conclusion

With this recipe and these helpful tips, you’re well on your way to baking the perfect New York style crumb cake. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this classic treat! The combination of the moist, tender cake and the buttery, crumbly topping is simply irresistible. Happy baking!

Enjoy your homemade New York style crumb cake! This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and will quickly become a family favorite. Don’t forget to share your creations and tag us on social media! We love seeing your baking masterpieces.

This recipe yields approximately 12-16 servings.

Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate): (Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.)

• Calories: 350-450
• Fat: 20-25g
• Saturated Fat: 12-15g
• Cholesterol: 75-100mg
• Sodium: 200-250mg
• Carbohydrates: 40-50g
• Sugar: 25-30g
• Protein: 3-5g

Keywords: New York crumb cake, crumb cake recipe, bakery-style crumb cake, easy crumb cake, homemade crumb cake, baking, dessert, cake, crumb topping, coffee cake, breakfast cake.

Call to Action: Try this recipe today and leave a comment below to let us know how it turned out! Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more delicious recipes and baking tips.