Crumb Cake

Crumb Cake is a quick and easy coffee cake or dessert that starts with a yellow cake mix and is topped with a delicious Crumb Topping that is a bit over-the-top! If you love crumb topping then this quick and easy coffee cake recipe is perfect for you!

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This Crumb Cake is all about the topping! So much, in fact, I’m thinking I should have named it “Crumb Topping with Some Cake”, but it doesn’t roll off the tongue as nicely as Crumb Cake, so there you go. I have to admit my favorite part of a coffee cake is the buttery and decadent brown sugar crumb topping so when I saw this coffee cake I knew I’d be sure to love it. Plus, it’s so easy to make!

It starts with a boxed cake mix. So simple and fast. I know, I know some people swear against them but, hey, I can’t do it all in life so boxed cake mix is my friend. If I want to bake AND get all the things done in a weekend a boxed cake mix is a life-saver. It’s fast, easy and I don’t end up with flour all the place and a big o’ mess in the kitchen. I use cake mix to make Cake Batter Ice Cream, Strawberry Vanilla Poke Cake, Christmas Cake Mix Cookies, and Pumpkin Angel Food Cake – and that’s just a few of my favorite recipes! I mean, a cake mix is one of those great short-cuts that helps me win at life.

I bet if you check your pantry you already have most of the ingredients on hand to make this easy coffee cake!

What do I need it?

If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this delicious recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.

• Yellow cake mix
• butter
• flour
• cinnamon
• brown sugar
• vanilla

How do I make Crumb Cake?

1. Make the cake batter – follow the instructions for making the cake, pour the batter into a 9×13″ cake pan greased with cooking spray.
2. Bake the cake – bake the cake at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes until the center of the cake is just barely set. You want it baked enough to support the topping, but not completely baked!
3. Make the crumb topping – while the cake is baking, combine the flour, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla and mix it until it’s crumbly.
4. Finish the cake – pull the cake out of the oven, sprinkle the crumb topping over the top and then bake the cake for 10 to 15 minutes. Cool the cake before slicing and serving.

Tips and Tricks to make the BEST Crumb Cake!

• Don’t overmix the cake batter otherwise the texture of the cake might not be as soft. Just mix the ingredients until combined.
• Use an electric mixer to make the topping. It will make it very easy to get the butter fully into the other ingredients so you get that crumbly texture. The texture you are going for is almost a coarse sand, if that makes sense!
• Be careful to not overbake the cake. When you first put it in the oven you are only baking it long enough to partially cook it and you should pull it out when the center is just barely set. Give the pan a gently wiggle – the cake shouldn’t be super jiggly otherwise the crumb topping might sink into it. You want it firm enough to support the topping.

Are crumb cake and coffee cake the same thing?

So, I’m sure there are differing views but usually a crumb cake is a cake that has a lot of topping. A coffee cake has a streusel or crumb topping, too, but it may not be as much as a crumb cake. That said, “coffee cake” is a pretty generic term and usually refers to a cake that goes well with coffee. So, this cake could be considered a coffee cake because it goes well with coffee, too! Clear as mud? Let me know what you think in the comments! Do you think there’s a difference?

What is the crumb of a cake?

When someone describes the crumb of a cake they are usually referring to the texture of the cake. So, cakes can have a tight crumb, soft crumb, tender crumb, tough crumb… you get the idea! This coffee cake that I’m sharing has a moist and tender crumb!

How do you store it?

The best way to store this cake is in the refrigerator where it will keep for a week as long as it’s wrapped. You can keep it at room temperature, but it will start to dry out after a day or so.

Why did my Crumb Topping Sink?

You may not have baked the cake long enough before adding the topping. The cake needs to bake long enough to firm up so it can support the topping when you sprinkle it over the top.

You’ll love these Coffee Cake recipes!

There’s nothing better than a hot mug of coffee and warm slice of coffee cake. Make sure you check out these other favorites of mine! Whip one up and then invite a friend or two over to share it with.

• Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake
• Blueberry Coffee Cake
• Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
• Banana Coffee Cake

WATCH THE STEP BY STEP VIDEO FOR THIS RECIPE BELOW:

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Try it and love it? Rate it, please!!! ? Seriously though a five-star rating below will make my day! If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your amazing Coffee Cakes!!

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

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3.24 from 26 votes

Crumb Cake

This Delicious Coffee Cake Recipe Starts with a Yellow Cake Mix and is Topped with a Thick Crumb Layer! Crumb Lovers Won't Be Able To Stop With One Piece!

Prep:15 minutes mins

Cook:35 minutes mins

Total:55 minutes mins

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20

servings

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 Box Yellow Cake Mix + Cake mix ingredients
• ▢ 1 c. butter
• ▢ 2 1/4 c. flour
• ▢ 1 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
• ▢ 1 3/4 c. brown sugar
• ▢ 1 1/2 Tbsp vanilla

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Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
• Prepare your cake mix according to the directions on the back of the box. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray. Pour cake mix batter into pan.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes until center is just barely set. Wiggle the pan and make sure it's not to jiggly!
• While the cake is baking prepare you crumb topping. Grab a big bowl and combine the butter, flour, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until it is crumbly.
• Top cake with crumb topping as soon as it is removed from the oven. Put back in oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the crumb topping looks done.

Tips

• Don't overmix the cake batter otherwise the texture of the cake might not be as soft. Just mix the ingredients until combined.
• Use an electric mixer to make the topping. It will make it very easy to get the butter fully into the other ingredients so you get that crumbly texture. The texture you are going for is almost a coarse sand, if that makes sense!
• Be careful to not overbake the cake. When you first put it in the oven you are only baking it long enough to partially cook it and you should pull it out when the center is just barely set. Give the pan a gently wiggle - the cake shouldn't be super jiggly otherwise the crumb topping might sink into it. You want it firm enough to support the topping.

Video

Nutrition Information

Calories: 360kcal (18%), Carbohydrates: 63g (21%), Protein: 4g (8%), Fat: 11g (17%), Saturated Fat: 7g (44%), Cholesterol: 25mg (8%), Sodium: 279mg (12%), Potassium: 74mg (2%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 31g (34%), Vitamin A: 296IU (6%), Calcium: 84mg (8%), Iron: 2mg (11%)

© Julie's Eats & Treats ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.