Name: Homemade Berry Crumb Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 1½ cups + 1½ tablespoons flour ((200 grams total)); 1½ teaspoon baking powder; ¾ cup + 1½ tablespoons sugar ((170 grams total)); ¾ cup butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1 pinch salt*; 3 large eggs (room temperature); 1 large egg yolk (room temperature); ¾ cup all purpose flour; ⅓ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon butter (cold) cubed ((70 grams total)); 1 pinch salt; 2 cups fresh or frozen berries

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This Berry Crumb Cake is an easy Homemade cake recipe to make. With only 20 minutes of prep time! Whip up this delicious cake, filled with a medley of berries for breakfast or as an after dinner dessert.

But I have to say, every time I make Muffins or a Crumb Cake, I always have the Italian asking me “why don’t you add some “frutti di bosco” (berries) to the mix, I’m sure it would work” so to make him happy, that is exactly what I did.

And to make me happy I made a buttery crumb topping! Can’t go wrong with that. Sometimes I find a crumb topping so much more delicious than a frosting.

Table of Contents

Recipe Ingredients

Flour – all purpose flour also known as plain flour
Sugar – granulated sugar
Vanilla – vanilla extract
Baking powder
Salt – I use salted butter if you use unsalted butter then add a bit more salt
Eggs – large eggs room temperature
Egg yolk – room temperature
Butter – softened
Berries – mixture of either fresh or frozen berries

Crumb Topping

Flour – all purpose flour
Sugar – brown sugar
Butter – cold
Salt

Why use room temperature ingredients?

With cakes and other baking, it’s always better to use room temperature ingredients. So, take any cold ingredients out of the refrigerator an hour ahead of time or sooner if it’s cool in your kitchen. Room temperature ingredients blend easier, creating a silky batter or dough, which will help to create a light tender baked good.

How to make the best Crumb Cake

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour and baking powder.

The dry ingredients whisked in a white bowl.

In a large bowl beat on medium speed the sugar and butter until light and fluffy, add the vanilla and salt and beat to combine, add the eggs one at a time and the yolk, beat 2-3 minutes.

Add the dry ingredients and with a spatula stir gently to combine.

Spoon the cake batter into the prepared cake pan. Top with frozen berries.

Placing the batter in the pan and topping with the berries.

Crumb Topping

In a medium bowl whisk together flour, brown sugar and salt, cut in butter and combine to form coarse crumbs.

Sprinkle over frozen berries.

Bake for approximately 50-60 minutes in the preheated oven or until toothpick comes out clean.

Tips to make the best Crumb Cake

An additional way to ensure that your cake doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan, you can add a round piece of parchment paper to the bottom of your pan, lightly greased and floured.

If you wish you can mix the berries with 1 tablespoon of flour, this will keep them from sinking in the batter.

If you are using frozen berries, it may take a little longer for the cake to bake. If you are using fresh berries, it may take less time to bake. Just keep an eye on your cake for the last 10-15 minutes, and test with a toothpick to see if it comes out clean.

What types of berries to use

Types of berries that you can use: strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, or raspberries would work perfectly in this recipe.

The crumb cake on a wooden board with berries.

Is crumb cake the same as coffee cake?

Crumb cake has a slightly thicker crumb topping than coffee cake. Also, coffee cake can be made without any crumb topping at all.

What is crumb topping made of?

The crumb topping for this recipe is made with just 4 ingredients: flour, brown sugar, butter, and salt.

How do you keep crumb topping from sinking into the batter?

Flour keeps the topping from sinking into the batter.

The cake on a wire rack with a slice cut.

Should butter be cold for crumb topping?

Yes, the butter should be cold. If it is too warm, it will make the topping spread and flatten out.

How to store the Berry Crumb Cake

Crumb cake with fruit can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 hours, and then covered in plastic wrap, aluminum foil or airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.

How to freeze it

Wrap the completely cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer container. It will keep for three months.

This Berry Crumb Cake is fast and easy to make, a simple vanilla cake topped with two cups of frozen berries and then the final crumb top layer makes this the ultimate breakfast or delicious snack cake. Enjoy!

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