This incredible crumb cake recipe features a moist, buttery cake base topped with a thick, golden streusel that melts in your mouth with every bite. Made with simple ingredients like melted butter, oil, and a hint of cardamom, it’s the perfect balance of tender cake and crispy crumb topping.
I created this crumb cake to serve at a tea party I hosted. Everyone LOVED its soft, buttery texture with the perfect thick, nutty topping that crumbles with every bite.
The warm cardamom and pecans make it feel extra special, transforming a simple treat into something elegant. It’s one of those recipes I love making for friends and family, bringing charm and coziness to their day.
Whether for brunch, a holiday gathering, or an afternoon tea party, this recipe will surely become a favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Crumb Cake Recipe
- Easy to make and customize with different flavors
- Incredibly moist and fluffy texture
- Rich, buttery crumb topping with a hint of cardamom
- Simple ingredients – no sour cream or electric mixer needed!
- Perfect for any occasion, from brunch to dessert
Crumb Cake Ingredients
These high-quality ingredients come together to create a perfect crumb cake. Here’s what you’ll need:
Cardamom: A warm, fragrant spice that elevates the topping. I love this spice so much in the fall; I use it in my apple cider donuts, too.
All-Purpose Flour: Adds structure to the cake.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake.
Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise to a light, fluffy texture.
Salt & Vanilla Extract: Enhance the flavor of the cake.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness.
Whole Milk: Ensures the cake stays soft and moist.
Unsalted Butter: Adds rich, buttery flavor.
Vegetable Oil: Helps create a super moist texture.
Brown Sugar: Sweetens the crumb topping.
Pecans: Adds crunch to the crumb topping.
How to Make Crumb Cake
- Prepare the Crumb Topping: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cardamom, and chopped pecans. Add melted butter and stir until large crumbs form. Set aside.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large measuring cup, combine melted butter, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, and milk.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix.
- Assemble the Cake: Pour the batter into a buttered 9×13 sheet pan. Sprinkle the crumb topping generously over the batter.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the crumb cake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Crumb Cake Topping
The crumb topping is what makes this cake truly special. It’s a mixture of buttery, brown sugar crumbs with pecans and cardamom, making it flavorful and rich. You can also add cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm spice variation.
Simple Glaze for Crumb Cake
Top your crumb cake with a drizzle of glaze made from:
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp melted butter
Whisk together until smooth, then drizzle over the warm cake for an extra layer of sweetness.
Recipe Tips
Add Variations: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or lemon zest to customize the flavor of the cake or topping.
Use High-Quality Ingredients: Opt for organic eggs, whole milk, and pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
Don’t Over-Mix the Batter: Gently fold the ingredients to keep the cake light and fluffy.
Crumb the Topping with Your Hands: This ensures even distribution and the perfect chunky crumbs.
Storing & Freezing
Store your crumb cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. If you’d like to keep it longer, you can freeze it.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap the cake up in plastic wrap (or an alternative), then wrap it again using aluminum foil. The cake will stay in the freezer for around three months.
What’s the difference between coffee cake and crumb cake?
The main difference is all in the topping. When you bake a crumb cake, always think about the topping. Crumb cake topping is usually thicker and chunkier compared to coffee cake.
What flavor is crumb cake?
Crumb cake is rich and buttery with a sweet, spiced crumb topping. To enhance the flavor, you can add flavors like cardamom, cinnamon, or even a bit of lemon zest.
What makes a good cake crumb?
A good cake crumb is tender, moist, and evenly aerated, achieved by properly balancing ingredients, mixing, and baking. Using cake flour, creaming butter and sugar to incorporate air, and avoiding overmixing prevents a dense or rubbery texture.
Moisture from ingredients like buttermilk or sour cream, baking at the correct temperature, and proper storage ensure the cake remains soft and flavorful.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this crumb cake recipe, try some of my other delicious treats:
- Moist Coffee Cake Recipe
- Caramel Apple Crumble Bars
- Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Coconut Loaf Recipe
- Orange Ricotta Cake
- Pecan Pie Recipe with Brown Butter Rum
You can also serve this with one of my brunch cocktail recipes when entertaining!
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Crumb Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Crumb Cake Topping
- 2 cups pecans
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1 tsp salt
Crumb Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, 1 1/2 sticks, melted
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil, canola oil works too
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Glaze
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tsp whole milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add all of the crumb topping ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir until it comes together. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together.
- Combine the wet ingredients in a large liquid measuring glass.
- Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and gently whisk until combined. Do not over mix crumb cake, just until the ingredients are combined.
- Spread the mixture into a buttered 9×13 pan.
- Add the crumbs to the top of the cake. Cover the entire cake with layers of crumbs.
- Bake in in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes.
- To make the glaze, add the glaze ingredients into a small bowl and mix with a fork until it becomes a thick liquid. When the crumb cake is baked, drizzle the glaze over the top.
I just made this beautiful cake. I trust your recipes! Mine turned out a little dense and it was very crumbly. What could I have possibly done wrong? I let it stay in for the full 45 min to let the top brown. Maybe I should not have. Hope you can let me know as I would like to make it again. Yours looked beautiful!
Hi Norma! I am so sorry this didn’t go well for you. It may have been baked too long, but I will try to test this recipe again this week and see what I can come up with.
Enjoyed this for breakfast this morning and started my day off right! Easy, delicious and paired perfectly with my morning cup of coffee, indeed!
Crumb cakes are the best!! They just melt in your mouth & are so soft, but with a nice crunch on top! Everyone always loves them!
This crumb cake sounds amazing and so delicious! I love the addition of cardamom in the crumb topping! Definitely going to be a hit here and I can’t wait to make this with my daughter!