All About that Crumb!
This crumb cake has that old-fashioned, homemade feel I always come back to. The cake itself is soft with cinnamon baked right into the batter, and the crumb topping is buttery with just enough brown sugar to make it feel like a treat. I like making this spiced crumb cake on weekends when I want something simple but cozy. You can add chopped pecans to the topping if you’ve got them, or a drizzle of glaze if you want it a little extra. It also makes great muffins if you’re baking ahead for the week.
Recipe At A Glance
Perfect for: Breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon treat
Texture: Soft cake with a thick, buttery crumb topping
Flavor: Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg with hints of brown sugar
Time: About 1 hour (including baking time)
Ingredients to make Crumb Cake
For the Crumb Topping:
- Brown sugar – adds a deep sweetness and gives your crumb a bit more soft chew. You can swap it for granulated if you like a crunchier topping
- All-purpose flour, cinnamon + nutmeg
- Melted butter – if you’re dairy-free, swap with a plant-based butter
For the Cake:
- Dry Ingredients: all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg
- Butter – substitute with plant-based butter for dairy-free
- Granulated sugar & brown sugar – for sweetness and moisture; coconut sugar can replace both if you prefer a more natural alternative
- Eggs – can substitute with flax eggs or an egg replacer for a vegan option
- Vanilla extract – or use 1/2 tsp of vanilla bean paste
- Yogurt – full-fat is best for moistness, but you can use dairy-free yogurt as a substitute
- Cinnamon
For the Maple Cream Sauce (Optional):
- Heavy cream, maple syrup, butter and salt
Variations & Customizations
Add Nuts: For extra crunch, stir 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumb topping before sprinkling over the batter.
Switch Up the Glaze: Drizzle over a simple vanilla glaze (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla extract) or go for a maple glaze by adding a splash of maple syrup.
Make Muffins: Want individual portions? Divide the batter into muffin tins lined with paper cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Sprinkle the crumb topping over each and bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes.
Change the Spice: Experiment with different spices like cardamom, ginger, or allspice to make the cake your own. A little clove can add a lovely, warming note too!
How to Make Spiced Crumb Cake
Making this spiced cake with a cinnamon crumb is simple, but it’s all about the layers of flavor. You’ll start by creaming the butter and sugars until they’re light and fluffy, then add the yogurt to keep the cake soft and moist. The dry ingredients are folded in gently to form the perfect base, and the crumb topping gets added for that irresistible buttery crunch. Once the cake bakes, you can make the quick maple cream sauce to pour on top—it’s the sweetest way to bring everything together!
Step 1: Beat the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until combined.
Step 2: Mix in the vanilla extract and yogurt until smooth.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients and then add to the wet mixture.
Step 4: Slowly fold them into the wet mixture until just combined and no flour streaks remain.
Step 5: Spread the batter into a greased 9-inch pan. To make the crumb topping, mix together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter, then sprinkle it evenly over the batter.
Step 6: Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool before slicing.
Recipe Tips for Making Spice Crumb Cake
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For a smoother batter and better rise, make sure your butter, eggs, and yogurt are at room temperature before mixing. This helps them blend together more easily and evenly for the best texture.
- Measure Dry Ingredients Carefully: For a light and fluffy cake, be sure to measure your flour and other dry ingredients accurately. Too much flour can make the cake dense.
- Use Full-Fat Yogurt: For a moist, tender crumb, go with full-fat yogurt. This helps keep the cake soft and adds a subtle richness.
- Make the Maple Cream Sauce!: The maple cream sauce is the finishing touch that takes this cake to the next level. Don’t skip it! Drizzle it over a cake slice for a rich, sweet layer that complements the spiced crumb topping perfectly.
Recipe Help & FAQs
You’ve got to try this easy crumb cake! The warm blend of spices and the delicious maple cream sauce will really make your next brunch or dessert spread special. Enjoy!
More Dessert Recipes
Spiced Crumb Cake with Maple Cream Sauce
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ¾ cups light brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled
Spice Cake
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Maple Cream Sauce
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a square glass baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease with oil.
- Streusel Topping: Combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Add melted butter and stir with a fork until crumbly. Set aside.
- Cake Batter: Cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in Greek yogurt and vanilla until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Spread half of the batter into the prepared baking dish. Add half of the streusel topping over the apples and spread evenly using a fork. Add the remaining batter and gently spread it over the first layer. Top with the remaining streusel topping.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Maple Cream Sauce: Heat the maple syrup in a saucepan over medium heat, allowing it to warm up without boiling.
- Add the butter and stir until melted and combined.
- Slowly pour in the cream, whisking to incorporate.
- Let it simmer on low heat for a few minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly while stirring occasionally.
- Add vanilla and a pinch of salt, then remove from heat. Let it cool slightly to thicken more before serving.
