New York-Style Crumb Cake Recipe


I've been in a cocoon for the past month taking care of our newly expanded family, and only recently have started to emerge. Guests have trickled in recently to meet the new baby. Among my favorite homemade items to welcome visitors is a New York-Style crumb cake. The crumb cake is deliciously moist, stacked high with sweet cinnamony crumbs and oh so delightful for almost any occasion.


What you didn't see in the prior picture is how I had already dug into the cake and continued to do so after the picture. It couldn't help it! It was really that good.

New York-Style Crumb Cake
Cook’s Illustrated, May 2007 via Brown Eyed Baker

Notes from Brown Eyed Baker: Don’t be tempted to substitute all-purpose flour for the cake flour, as doing so will make a dry, tough cake. If you can’t find buttermilk, you can substitute an equal amount of plain yogurt. When topping the cake, take care to not push the crumbs into the batter. This recipe can be easily doubled and baked in a 13 by 9-inch baking dish. If doubling, increase the baking time to about 45 minutes. Cooled leftovers can be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Crumb Topping
1/3 cup granulated sugar (2 2/3 ounces)
1/3 cup dark brown sugar (2 2/3 ounces)
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon table salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), melted and still warm
1 3/4 cups cake flour (7 ounces)

Cake
1 1/4 cups cake flour (5 ounces)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (3 1/2 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon table salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter (3/4 stick), cut into 6 pieces, softened but still cool
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup buttermilk
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

1. FOR THE TOPPING: Whisk sugars, cinnamon, salt, and butter in medium bowl to combine. Add flour and stir with rubber spatula or wooden spoon until mixture resembles thick, cohesive dough; set aside to cool to room temperature, 10 to 15 minutes.

2. FOR THE CAKE: Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Cut 16-inch length parchment paper or aluminum foil and fold lengthwise to 7-inch width. Spray 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and fit parchment into dish, pushing it into corners and up sides; allow excess to overhang edges of dish.

3. In bowl of standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt on low speed to combine. With mixer running at low speed, add butter one piece at a time; continue beating until mixture resembles moist crumbs, with no visible butter chunks remaining, 1 to 2 minutes. Add egg, yolk, vanilla, and buttermilk; beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute, scraping once if necessary.

4. Transfer batter to baking pan; using rubber spatula, spread batter into even layer. Following photos below, break apart crumb topping into large pea-sized pieces and spread in even layer over batter, beginning with edges and then working toward center. Bake until crumbs are golden and wooden skewer inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on wire rack at least 30 minutes. Remove cake from pan by lifting parchment overhang. Dust with confectioners’ sugar just before serving.

An Update on Baby Alexander
Alexander just had his one month check up this week, and now weighs a whopping 11lbs 4oz! He somehow managed to gain 3.5lbs over the past month. He loves to eat! It is true what they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

50 comments:

Victoria said...

This is a great cake to have on hand to serve guests (or nibble away at while attempting to take pictures of it *cough cough*) OR serve with a cup of tea, because you know how I feel about that :) Miss you, I hope to be back in NY soon for an extended period of time so I can visit you and baby Alexander!

Liren said...

Your little guy is growing! Must be all your good cooking :) There's nothing like a good NY style coffee cake, and this is definitely perfect to serve to baby visitors!

Diana Bauman said...

Oh goodness, this looks fabulous Christine!

Beth said...

I'm so happy to see you blogging again! What a great way to get started again. This looks terrific.

Stephanie said...

Oh my goodness this looks beautiful! (and it looks like I missed some big news so off to read that too!!)

Belinda @zomppa said...

I am sure life has been crazy busy!! I'm sure everyone is enjoying the new little one...and this cake definitely is an added plus.

Gloria Baker said...

Look amazing and delicious Christine, xxgloria

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Oooh, delicious crumb cake!

Deana Sidney said...

That is a lot of baby in a month... congrats... I'm sure the great food that you eat has something to do with it!!! As for that crumb cake... I loved them but hated what was in them.. making it myself would bring it back to my table. Thanks so much for the recipe!~

pam said...

I can't believe you managed to make such a yummy cake while still taking care of sweet new baby!

Cathy said...

Hi Christine - It's so nice to have you back blogging again. It takes a little while for life to get into a routine after a baby's arrival. Crumb cake is one of my favorites. Looking forward to trying this version.

Nisrine said...

It looks extremely delicious. I hope you're doing well, Christine. xx

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Happy to see you in the kitchen again : This sounds like a delicious way to welcome guests. I hope your handsome, little Alexander is doing well and mother and father are adjusting well too :)

chow and chatter said...

lovely cake and such a fun time for you and now you can take the little guy for long walks around his city

tasteofbeirut said...

How fun to have a son! Brings me back to mine 21
years ago! Glad you have one with a good appetite too!
Your cake looks delicious and so soft; I will make it soon I can tell!

Emily said...

This looks amazing, Christine!

Glad your new little one is doing well. :)

thechurchcook said...

Oh, this looks so scrumptious, Christine!! So glad to hear that you have the routine down with the baby and now cooking and having guests!! :)

nancy at good food matters said...

Your crumb cake looks exactly like the one that I recall from my youth: my grandmother (who lived in Jackson Heights) would pick up it from a bakery called Ebinger's
for our visits. Wonderful.

glad that Alexander is thriving so well--hurray for the apples and the tree!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

If I haven't said it before congratulations on the new addition to your family. This crumb cake is duly noted as as a future standby.

Delicious Dishings said...

I love NY-style crumb cake. I always aim for more crumb than cake with mine. :)

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Looks fabulous Christine. Your guest must love it.

How fabulous baby Alexander loves to eat. Wonder where he got that gene?
Sam

Mari Nuñez said...

Christine, I love this cake....I will try the recipe, I am sure I love it.
Wish you the best with your new family member, I know there is lots of hugging and kissing going on. Who can resist not snuggling a newborn?

Fun and Fearless in Beantown said...

Congratulations on your little one!

sweetlife said...

Hello Mommy!! glad you are taking time to enjoy your new family friend!! these are the best moments!! a crumb cake is the perfect welcome for family and friends, love the pics..thanks for sharing, have a great week

sweetlife

Claudia said...

Oh - wow. Double wow. This is exactly the NYC crumb cake of my NYC childhood. On my agenda, And oh my - even with an infant you know how to make people feel welcome.

sally said...

Yum! Love a good crumb cake! This one looks pretty irresistible.

El said...

This looks incredibly delicious, light and fluffy. I hope you and the baby are doing well. Stay cool!

Sutapa said...

That's soooo delicious!!

Barbara said...

We can hide a lot with those close-ups, can't we? :)
Looks like a super cake and I hope things are going well for you with your new darling. Quite a change, isn't it?

kat said...

Oh yum, that does look like some cinnamony goodness

The Rose Garden Restaurant said...

What a great treat for the upcoming Father's Day. Especially my Dad loves dessert so much particularly cookies and cakes. I'm sure he will loved this one! Excited to try to make and bake it here in our Resto. Thank you again for sharing! More desserts recipe. Godbless!

Deb in Hawaii said...

My favorite kind of coffee cake-it looks fabulous. Glad to hear you are doing well and settling into motherhood. ;-)

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I love the buttery taste of homemade crumb cake! And, I'll bet baby Alexander will be enjoying it in no time!

Erica said...

Delicious cake!Glad to hear you are good and happy with your new member :)!Enjoy every day, because it goes fast.

Lori said...

That strawberry on the top is stunning! I love crumb cake and am always looking for a good recipe. This looks delicious!

Chiara said...

This is a great cake to have on hand Christine! thanks for sharing, kisses...

Lori Lynn said...

I'm sure your guests come to see you and the baby, but don't mind this fabulous cake as a serendipity of their visit.
LL
So happy to hear you are both doing well.

lisaiscooking said...

I love a crumb topping, and this one looks incredible! What a great cake for greeting visitors.

Jamie said...

Welcome back! I love crumb cake but the one I made wasn't perfect and was a bit dry. I am so going to try yours! I think this is the perfect breakfast cake and a great snack with a cup of coffee or glass of milk.

The Blonde Duck said...

Yum!

Danielle said...

ooh I love crumb cake! Totally understand your addiction to it, I'd do the same too :) Congratulations on your baby boy! Just read your post about his birth and it made me cry. So, so, sweet, and am glad that both you and baby are ok!

That's Ron said...

Sweet sweet recipe!

From the Kitchen said...

I'm writing down cake flour and buttermilk on my post-vacation grocery list! I need to make something to take to a small-gathering on Saturday morning and your recipe has saved me from scouring cookbooks!

It seems as if Alexander is quite content with his lifestyle!! So glad to hear that he's doing well.

Best,
Bonnie

Mother Rimmy said...

Beautiful baby and what a wonderful cake. Your pictures are amazing!

Magic of Spice said...

I can defiantly see how you could nibble away at this beauty...lovely!
Hope you and the new family addition are doing well :)

OysterCulture said...

What a yummy sounding cake, and the perfect offering for guests in my mind. I am happy to hear all is well and life is getting back to normal.

Pattythemoon said...

bellissimo blog, e ...complimenti per tutto!
Ti verrĂ² a trovare ancora.

Penny said...

Glad to hear you are doing so well. The crumb cake looks luscious.

Unknown said...

Yum! Once we get our oven to work, I'll definitely try this recipe! Hope to see you again soon - can't believe how big baby A is getting!

Liz said...

What a classic, it is irresistible!