Old Fashioned Crumb Cake
A moist and flavorful crumb cake featuring a tender dough topped with a crunchy streusel, perfect for breakfast or dessert, appealing to lovers of sweet, comforting baked goods.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat milk, sugar, shortening, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat until the shortening is melted.
- Let the mixture cool until lukewarm.
- Pour warm water into a large bowl.
- Sprinkle yeast over the water and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- Stir to dissolve the yeast.
- Add the cooled milk mixture, eggs, and 1/2 cup of flour to the yeast mixture.
- Beat with a wooden spoon until smooth.
- Stir in the remaining flour until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes or until smooth and silky.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, turn to coat, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Coat a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Punch down the risen dough, press it into the prepared pan, and cover.
- Let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until almost doubled.
- Crumble the streusel topping evenly over the dough.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and crumbs are slightly brown and crisp.
- Cool in the pan on a rack for 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle with confectioners sugar, cut into 16 squares, and serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the milk mixture. If you don't have solid vegetable shortening, unsalted butter can be substituted in equal amounts. Ensure that the milk is only lukewarm to avoid killing the yeast, which is crucial for proper rising. For a fun twist, you can mix in some cinnamon or nutmeg to the streusel topping.
Serving Suggestions
This Old Fashioned Crumb Cake is delightful served warm with a dusting of confectioners sugar. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea for brunch or dessert. For a special touch, consider serving it alongside fresh fruit or whipped cream. It also makes a lovely addition to breakfast spreads or holiday gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover crumb cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply warm individual squares in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Old Fashioned Crumb Cake contains roughly 231 calories, with 4g protein, 43g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is a good source of iron (14% of the Daily Value) and calcium (12% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 558mg per serving (24% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast. There's no need to dissolve it in water first; simply add it directly to the dry ingredients. However, you may want to reduce the rising time slightly, as instant yeast tends to work faster.
What can I do if my dough doesn't rise?
If your dough doesn't rise, it might be due to expired yeast or the environment being too cold. Make sure your yeast is fresh and try placing the dough in a warmer area, like an oven with the light on or near a warm stove. You can also add a bit of sugar to the warm water to feed the yeast.
Can I add fruit to the crumb cake?
Absolutely! You can fold in fresh blueberries, raspberries, or chopped apples into the dough before pressing it into the pan. This adds flavor and moisture, making it an excellent variation of this traditional recipe.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).