New York Style Crumb Cake is a beloved classic that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. It’s characterized by a moist, buttery cake base topped with a generous layer of sweet, crunchy crumbs. This cake is simple to make, yet incredibly delicious with its balance of soft cake and crumbly topping.
Here’s a recipe for a traditional New York Style Crumb Cake:
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk (or buttermilk for a tangier flavor)
For the Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 teaspoons milk (or more to reach desired consistency)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×9-inch square baking pan (or a similar sized round or rectangular pan) and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal. Alternatively, you can use a non-stick baking spray.
2. Make the Cake Batter:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer (or stand mixer) until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients (the flour mixture), alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
3. Prepare the Crumb Topping:
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter, fork, or your hands to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles large crumbs. The topping should be coarse and clumpy.
- If you want extra flavor, stir in vanilla extract to the crumbs. Set aside.
4. Assemble the Cake:
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter, making sure to cover the entire surface. The topping will form large crumbs, which is characteristic of a New York-style crumb cake.
5. Bake the Cake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean (the crumb topping should be golden brown and firm to the touch).
- If the crumbs start to brown too quickly, cover the cake loosely with foil and continue baking until fully cooked.
6. Optional Glaze (for extra sweetness):
- While the cake is cooling, make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Add more milk if necessary to achieve a pourable consistency.
- Once the cake has cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake. This step is optional, but it adds an extra layer of sweetness and a lovely finish.
7. Cool and Serve:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes before cutting into squares. This will help the crumbs set a bit and make slicing easier.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. The cake will stay fresh for several days, and it often tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.
Tips for the Perfect New York Style Crumb Cake:
- Use cold butter for the crumb topping: The cold butter helps to create the right crumbly texture. Don’t worry if some of the crumbs are larger, as this is characteristic of New York-style crumb cakes.
- Don’t overmix the batter: When making the cake batter, be sure to mix until just combined to keep the cake light and tender.
- Adjust the sweetness: If you don’t want the glaze, the cake is already sweet enough thanks to the crumb topping. But for an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle the glaze after it cools slightly.
- Customize the topping: If you prefer, you can add a bit of nuts (like chopped pecans or walnuts) into the crumb topping for extra crunch.
- Storing: Keep the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to a week.
Enjoy your New York Style Crumb Cake!
This cake is all about the perfect balance of buttery, moist cake and a thick, crumbly topping. It’s simple to make but offers such rich, comforting flavors that everyone will enjoy! Whether served at a brunch, with coffee, or as a sweet treat, it’s a crowd-pleaser every time.
