Easy Homemade Crumb Cake: A Classic Recipe for the Whole Family
Do you remember those nostalgic little Hostess crumb cakes? For me, they evoke a flood of cherished childhood memories. My dad, knowing how much I adored them, would often bring them home just for me. That distinct sweet, crumbly topping and tender cake base became a comfort food, a taste I’ve been trying to replicate perfectly for years. After several attempts with recipes that just didn’t quite hit the mark, I’m thrilled to share an absolutely delicious homemade crumb cake recipe today that not only brings back those sweet childhood moments but also delivers on flavor and ease. Get ready to bake a true classic!
A quick heads-up: this recipe yields a substantial amount of delicious crumb cake! This isn’t just a small treat; it’s designed to share. Its generous size makes it an ideal breakfast or dessert option for gatherings, especially during holidays when your home is filled with family and friends. Imagine serving warm, comforting slices with coffee on a brisk morning! Beyond special occasions, this cake is also perfect for everyday enjoyment. Simply cut it into convenient squares and pop them into zipper sandwich bags for a delightful addition to your child’s lunchbox, or for a quick grab-and-go snack for yourself. Its robust flavor and satisfying texture make it a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.
This delightful recipe journey began with my participation in The Secret Recipe Club, an exciting online community where food bloggers are secretly assigned to each other’s blogs and tasked with making a recipe. This month, I had the pleasure of exploring the culinary treasures on Chris and Rachel’s fantastic blog, The Keenan Cookbook. Chris and Rachel are a phenomenal team: Chris masters the art of cooking and baking, while Rachel perfectly captures their creations through stunning photography and meticulous editing. It’s truly a match made in food blogger heaven, and their passion shines through every post.
Diving into their blog was an absolute treat, as I discovered numerous recipes I immediately wanted to try. Their White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake sounded utterly divine and has already been bookmarked for a special occasion, perhaps even Christmas! Then there was the intriguing Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese—a creative twist on a comfort classic that still holds a prominent spot on my “to-make” list. And who could forget those decadent Cookies and Cream Oreo Fudge Brownies? O.M.G. – just reading the title made my sweet tooth tingle!
Ultimately, after much delicious deliberation, I settled on a recipe lovingly titled Mom’s Crumb Cake. The promise of a classic, comforting treat resonated deeply with my childhood memories, and I knew this was the one I had to try. The sheer volume of recipes on their site, all so well-presented, made the choice incredibly difficult, but the crumb cake simply called to me.
When I first glanced at the ingredients list for the crumb topping, particularly the amount of butter, I must admit, I was slightly daunted. And believe me, I am *not* shy about using butter in my baking! However, my initial concern about my cholesterol meter quickly subsided once I realized this magnificent creation would be spread across a large 12×17 jelly roll pan. This crumb cake truly makes a LOT of cake, making that generous amount of butter perfectly reasonable for such a substantial and flavorful topping. The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its delicious outcome but also in its remarkable ease. It’s incredibly straightforward to prepare, allowing you to achieve impressive results without complicated steps.
The only slight point of personal preference, and certainly no fault of the brilliant recipe or Chris and Rachel, is its use of a yellow cake mix. While convenient and quick, I find that many store-bought cake mixes, especially yellow varieties, can taste a little overly sweet for my palate. Having transitioned to baking most of my cakes from scratch, I’ve developed a particular fondness for the balanced flavors and textures that come from homemade batters. Cake mixes are undeniably fantastic for speed and simplicity, especially when you’re pressed for time or need a reliable base. However, for those who, like me, prefer a less intensely sweet profile and the satisfaction of baking from the ground up, I’d highly recommend experimenting with a “from scratch” yellow cake recipe as the base next time. I’m already dreaming of trying this recipe again with a homemade cake layer, and perhaps even adapting it into individual muffin-sized crumb cakes for an adorable and easy-to-serve treat!
This adaptation allows for incredible versatility. For instance, if you decide to go the scratch route for the cake base, you can control the sugar levels and even infuse it with additional flavors like a hint of lemon zest or almond extract to complement the rich crumb topping. If sticking with the cake mix, consider adding a touch of sour cream or extra vanilla extract to the batter for a richer, moister texture that often elevates the boxed mix. The crumb topping itself is a star; it’s thick, buttery, and perfectly spiced with cinnamon. You could even add a handful of finely chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, to the crumb mixture for an extra layer of texture and flavor, turning this classic crumb cake into an even more complex and irresistible dessert.
A huge thank you to Chris and Rachel for sharing this wonderful recipe! It truly is a keeper and has earned a permanent spot in my collection of family favorites. It’s perfect for everything from a leisurely weekend breakfast to a delightful afternoon pick-me-up. The combination of the tender cake and the rich, buttery, spiced crumb topping is simply irresistible.
Classic Crumb Cake for a Crowd
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It
Pin It
Rate It
Save ItSaved!
Ingredients
For the Cake Base
- 1 box of yellow cake mix ensure it’s NOT the pudding-in-the-mix type for best texture
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/3 cup water
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For the Rich Crumb Topping
- 1 pound softened butter (4 sticks), at room temperature for easy mixing
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
-
Prepare the Cake Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 12×17 inch jelly roll pan (or line with parchment paper for easy removal). In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, water, and vanilla extract. Beat the ingredients with an electric mixer on medium speed for 4 minutes. This extended mixing time helps to develop a wonderfully smooth, satiny, and thick batter. Carefully spread the prepared batter evenly into your jelly roll pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
-
Make the Crumb Topping: While the cake base is baking, prepare your irresistible crumb topping. In a separate large bowl, combine the softened butter, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Using your hands or a pastry blender, mix these ingredients together until the mixture resembles wet sand and large, distinct crumbs have formed. You want a good variety of sizes, from fine crumbs to larger clumps.
-
Combine and Finish Baking: Carefully remove the partially baked cake from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the entire crumb topping mixture over the warm, soft cake base. Return the cake to the oven and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the cake portion (avoiding a crumb clump) comes out clean. If the toothpick is still wet, return it to the oven for a few more minutes. The crumb topping should be beautifully golden brown.
-
Optional Dusting: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. For an extra touch of sweetness and classic appeal, generously sprinkle confectioner’s sugar over the cooled crumb cake just before serving.
-
Serve and Enjoy: Cut the cooled crumb cake into squares of your desired size. Serve immediately for a wonderful breakfast, brunch, or dessert treat. Enjoy the delightful blend of tender cake and buttery, spiced crumb topping!
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.