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New York-Style Crumb Cake

Dense and flavorful crumb cake perfect for a breakfast or brunch crowd.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: baking, brunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Author: Recipe adapted from Cook's Illustrated - Baking Book

Ingredients

Crumb Topping

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1/3 cup 2 1/3 ounces granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup packed 2 1/3 ounces dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 3/4 cups 7 ounces cake flour

Cake

  • 1 1/4 cups 5 ounces cake flour
  • 1/2 cup 3 1/2 ounces granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 6 pieces and softened
  • 1/3 cup buttermilk OR low fat yogurt, OR 1 tsp vinegar + milk to equal 1/3c
  • 1 large egg plus 1 large yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Confectioners' sugar
  • Foil or Parchment paper
  • 8 x8 Baking Pan
  • Non-stick spray

  • NOTE: 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, low-fat 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, covered leftovers can be stored at room temperature for a few days.

Instructions

  • Adjust oven to rack to upper-middle position and pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Make a sling of foil or parchment in 8x8 pan. Lay the sheets perpendicular to each other, allowing the extra to hang over the edges of the pan. Smooth the corners up the side of the pan, and spray with nonstick spray.
  • Make Topping<br>-Whisk melted butter, sugars, cinnamon and salt. Break up any large pieces.<br>-Slowly add flour while gently mixing together.<br>-The mixture will look like a stiff dough, set aside to cool.
  • Make Cake<br>-In a stand mixer with paddle attachment combine: flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.<br>-With mixer running, slowly add 1 tablespoon of butter at a time. Continue beating until mixture resembles moist crumbs, with no chunks of butter, about 1-2 minutes.<br>-Slowly add buttermilk, egg, egg yolk and vanilla. Beat on medium-high until the batter is light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
  • Pour batter into prepared baking pan, and spread evenly with a rubber spatula.
  • Break crumb topping in pea-sized pieces, and spread in an even layer over batter beginning around the edges and working towards the center.
  • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, rotating pan once halfway through. Crumbs should be golden, and a toothpick should come out clean when inserted in the middle.
  • Let cool on wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
  • Remove cake from pan by lifting sling, and dust lightly with confectioners' sugar before serving.