Crumb Coffee Cake

Crumb coffee cake with brown sugar crumb topping

Crumb Coffee Cake is a simple old-fashioned favorite with a generous brown sugar and cinnamon crumb topping. It bakes in a 13x9 pan and has that perfect tender crumb and crunchy streusel top.

Great for breakfast, brunch, or with afternoon coffee — the kind of cake that disappears quickly.

🥮 Old-Fashioned Crumb Coffee Cake

A brilliant vintage breakfast tradition. A single base of brown sugar, flour, and shortening divides into both a rich cinnamon-sour milk batter and a beautifully sweet crumb topping.

⏱️ Bake Time: 30–40 mins 🍽️ Yield: 12–15 Servings 🍳 Pan Size: 13×9-inch Pan

Ingredients

  • 1 cup shortening
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 2 ½ cups flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup sour milk (or buttermilk)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Baking Instructions

🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F

  1. Create Crumb Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, blend the shortening, brown sugar, and flour together cleanly until the mixture becomes crumbly, looking like coarse pie crust crumbs.
  2. Reserve the Topping: Measure out exactly 1 cup of this crumbly mixture, set it aside, and save it for your top layer.
  3. Mix the Batter: To the remaining crumb mixture left in the bowl, add the egg, sour milk, baking soda, and cinnamon. Beat thoroughly until well combined into a thick cake batter.
  4. Layer & Bake: Spread the dense batter evenly into your prepared 13×9 pan. Evenly sprinkle the reserved 1 cup of crumb topping over the entire surface.
  5. Finish & Serve: Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the center is set and the crumb topping turns a warm, light golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Crumb Coffee Cake FAQ

What is “sour milk”?

Sour milk is regular milk with a little vinegar or lemon juice stirred in. It reacts with the baking soda to create a tender texture.

Can I use buttermilk instead?

Yes — buttermilk works perfectly as a 1:1 substitute for sour milk in this recipe.

How do I know when the crumb coffee cake is done?

The cake is done when the center is set and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

How should I store this coffee cake?

Store covered at room temperature for up to 4 days, or wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

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