Classic Crumb Cake

by Sofi | Broma Bakery

This classic crumb cake is made with a soft buttery cake base and thick cinnamon sugar crumb topping for the ultimate bakery-style New York crumb cake.

The Best New York Crumb Cake

Now that we’re New Yorkers, we have to share our favorite buttery, New York style crumb cake. We’re talking tender, buttery cake topped with a thick, brown sugar cinnamon crumb topping.

This New York crumb cake is everything a classic crumb cake should be: soft, buttery cake topped with an outrageously thick layer of brown sugar cinnamon crumbs. With a tender vanilla cake base and buttery streusel topping piled high, this bakery-style crumb cake is the ultimate coffee cake for breakfast, brunch, or anytime snacking.

And yes, the crumb layer is THICK. As it should be.

Crumb Cake vs Coffee Cake

Not all breakfast cake topped with buttery streusel is made equal. If you’ve ever wondered what separates New York crumb cake from other coffee cakes, the answer is simple: the crumb topping ratio.

Unlike traditional coffee cake recipes where the crumb topping is more of an accent, New York style crumb cake gives the streusel equal billing. Not a sad little dusting of streusel. Not a few crumbs scattered on top. This homemade New York crumb cake delivers on exactly that. Every bite is packed with buttery brown sugar streusel and soft vanilla cake, making it the perfect bakery-style treat to enjoy with your morning coffee or as an afternoon snack.

The crumb layer is thick, buttery, and full of cinnamon flavor, while the cake underneath stays soft and tender without being overly sweet.

Ingredients for the Best Classic Crumb Cake

This classic crumb cake recipe uses simple pantry ingredients, but each one works together to create that iconic bakery-style texture.

• Unsalted butter: Of course no crumb cake is complete without a buttery base. You’ll use butter in both the cake and the crumb topping.
• Vegetable oil: The combination of butter and oil gives the cake both flavor and moisture, while the sour cream keeps the crumb soft and tender.
• Sour cream: Sour cream keeps your cake moist and tender with the slightest tang. We like to use a combination of sour cream and milk so it doesn’t get too heavy.
• Milk: We usually bake with whole milk, but any kind will get the job done here.
• Light brown sugar: You’ll use light brown sugar in the buttery crumb topping. It gives it a warm, cozy flavor and perfectly complements the hint of cinnamon.
• Granulated sugar: Granulated sugar serves as the sweetener for the cake base. It keeps things perfectly soft and lightly sweet.
• Vanilla extract: You’ll need a generous pour of vanilla extract to make this crumb cake taste seriously gourmet. you could also also use vanilla bean paste here if you want to get even fancier.
• Eggs: One egg and one egg white give the perfect spring and bounce to your cake without getting too cakey. You can save that extra egg yolk and make chocolate chip cookies tomorrow. 🙂
• All-purpose flour: Regular all-purpose flour does the trick here. If you want your cake to be even softer you can swap it out for cake flour instead.
• Baking powder: Baking powder gives your cake the perfect lift and structure without too many air bubbles or doming.
• Baking soda: Baking soda packs a more powerful punch so you’ll just use a little of it in the cake. It helps give your cake the lift it needs to support all that crumb topping.
• Ground cinnamon: Cozy cinnamon rounds out the flavor profile here. You’ll only use it in the crumb topping, but if you want to mess around a little with the recipe you could add a teaspoon to the cake and make this a cinnamon crumb cake.
• Salt: Salt is so crucial to rounding out the flavor profile and cutting any sweetness.

How to Make New York Crumb Cake

One of the best things about making homemade New York crumb cake is how simple it is.

Step 1: Make the crumb topping

Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt until thick crumbs form. Set it aside while you make the batter.

This gives the mixture time to firm up so you can create those signature chunky crumbs.

Step 2: Make the cake batter

Cream together the butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the egg, egg white, and vanilla.

Add the dry ingredients in alternating additions with the sour cream and milk, mixing until just combined.

Step 3: Add the crumbs

Spread the batter into your prepared pan, then squeeze the crumb topping between your hands to form large and small clumps over the batter.

This step is what gives the cake that iconic bakery-style crumb texture.

Step 4: Bake

Bake until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool completely, dust with powdered sugar, and slice generously.

Tips for the Best Bakery-Style New York Crumb Cake

• Let the Crumb Mixture Rest: Allowing the crumb topping to sit while you make the batter helps the flour hydrate, making it easier to form large crumbs.
• Use Your Hands to Form the Crumbs: Pinching the crumb topping between your palms helps create those large, irregular crumb pieces that make New York crumb cake so iconic.
• Don’t Overmix the Cake Batter: Mix just until the flour disappears. Overmixing can make the cake dense instead of soft and tender.
• Cool Before Slicing: It’s tempting to cut into it immediately, but letting the cake cool helps the crumb topping set and gives you cleaner slices.

How to Store Classic Crumb Cake

This classic crumb cake stores beautifully, which makes it perfect for making ahead.

• At Room Temperature: Store tightly covered for up to 3 days.
• In the Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• In the Freezer: Wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

If you love a thick buttery streusel topping, this New York crumb cake recipe is about to become your go-to. It has everything you want in a classic crumb cake: a soft buttery base, a generous layer of cinnamon sugar crumbs, and that nostalgic bakery-style feel that pairs perfectly with coffee.

And if you find yourself picking off the crumb topping first, absolutely no judgment here.

Happy baking!

XXX

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