Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake
Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake a delicious soft cake full of chocolate chips topped with buttery chocolate chip crumb topping. The perfect breakfast, snack or even dessert cake. So good it will be gone in seconds.
Have you ever eaten such a delicious cake that it is so good it doesn’t even need icing? If not then this crumb cake recipe will be your first.
This crumb cake not only has a streusel topping but is also loaded with mini chocolate chips – both white chocolate and milk chocolate chips!
I first started making this cake years ago. But to tell you the truth, lately, I have really started getting into baking with Greek yogurt and loving it. I also decided to add two kinds of chocolate chips to change it up a bit and now it is one of my favourites.
It is also wonderful served as a Breakfast Cake, Snack or Dessert when you have a get-together.
When I make it, I usually make it in a loaf form but I am sure cupcakes or even a small cake form work well also. I’m sure any form you decide to bake this crumb cake it will be delicious. How could it not be with all those chocolate chips!
For me there aren’t many things better than Chocolate, especially when it comes in a Cake or Cookie form, and these Nutella Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars were full of chocolate chips too!
Now, we have crumb cake loaded with chocolate and I’m not complaining! There’s never enough chocolate.
What is the origin of a crumb cake?
A crumb cake is a German cake known as a “Streuselkuchen”, it was a flat cake made on a baking sheet, then cut into oblong pieces. It was about one inch thick, and had a very thick layer of crumbs. The original recipe uses a yeast dough, although a pastry crust could also be used.
Ingredients
- Crumb topping: This is a combination of flour, brown sugar, and room temperature butter
- All-purpose flour
- Cake flour – for the cake bater
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Softened butter – I use salted although you can use unsalted butter just add a bit more salt
- Granulated sugar
- Large egg – room temperature
- Vanilla extract
- Greek yogurt – or you could use sour milk or buttermilk – room temperature
- Chocolate chips – milk, dark, or semisweet, regular or mini chocolate chips
- White chocolate chips
How to make Cake flour
For every cup of all purpose flour, remove two tablespoons and replace with two tablespoons of corn starch. Be sure to sift the flour and cornstarch together a couple of times, this way it is sure to be properly combined and lump free. Cake flour in cakes will give you a very tender texture and fine crumb, it will also help the cake to rise.
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, which will help to create a light tender baked good.
Recipe Steps
Make the crumb topping by mixing flour, sugar, and butter in a bowl until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
For the cake, whisk the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. In a medium bowl, cream the butter with a mixer until smooth and creamy. Beat in the sugar, and then add the egg and vanilla.
Alternate adding the flour and Greek yogurt to the wet ingredients and be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as you go.
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Transfer the batter to a prepared pan (I use a 9×5″ loaf pan). Sprinkle the crumb topping over the top of the cake batter.
Bake the crumb cake for 50 to 60 minutes at 350°F. As soon as you take it out of the oven, sprinkle more chocolate chips over the top.
What’s the difference between coffee cake and crumb cake?
The major difference is the amount of streusel placed on top of the cake. Crumb cake has a thicker topping which also makes it a little sweeter. Coffee cake can also be made without a streusel topping.
Tips for the Best Crumb Cake
- A combination of all-purpose flour and cake flour will give your cake the best light and tender crumb.
- Don’t overmix when you add the flour. Mix long enough to combine and that’s it.
- You can use all of one kind of chocolate chips instead of using two types.
- While the cake bakes make sure you start to watch it at about 50 minutes into baking because you don’t want an overdone Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake.
How to store it
I would also advise you to let it cool before cutting it. It’s even better the day after it’s made – just cover it with plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature. It will last up to 2 days.
It can also be stored wrapped well or in an airtight container in the fridge, for up to 5-6 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
How to freeze a Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake
The cake can be frozen well wrapped and placed in a freezer bag. It will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter.
Now I am off to brew another cup of coffee and, yeah, why not eat another slice of this delicious crumb cake? Enjoy!
More Crumb Cake Recipes
Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake
Ingredients
CRUMB TOPPING
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
- ¼ cup butter (room temperature)
FOR THE CAKE
- 1 ½ cups cake / pastry flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pinch salt*
- ½ cup butter (soft)*
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (5 grams)
- ½ cup + 1 tablespoon greek yogurt (I used 0% fat), or sour milk or buttermilk (room temperature) (135 total grams)
- ⅓ cup semisweet chocolate chips (mini or regular)
- ⅓ cup white chocolate chips (mini or regular)
*If you use unsalted butter then add ¼ teaspoon salt.
For room temperature ingredients remove from the fridge approximately 60 minutes before using, earlier if your house is cool.
EXTRAS
- ⅓-½ cup semisweet chocolate chips (mini or regular)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×5 inch (23 x 10 cm) loaf pan.
CRUMB TOPPING
- In a medium bowl mix together flour and sugar, add butter and mix until it becomes coarse crumbs. Set aside.
FOR THE CAKE
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In a small bowl toss together chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon of whisked flour mixture. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl cream the butter until creamy about 2-3 minutes, add the sugar and beat well, add the egg and beat for 30 seconds then beat in the vanilla.
- Add the flour and greek yogurt alternatively, starting and ending with flour to the creamed mixture (3x flour and 2x yogurt). Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smooth the top. Sprinkle crumb topping evenly on top of the loaf.
- Bake the loaf for 50-60 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with ⅓-½ cup semisweet chocolate chips. Let cool completely before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Recipe Tips
Line the pan with parchment paper for easier removal. You can substitute the cake/pastry flour for all purpose, or you can make homemade cake flour – for every 1 cup of all purpose flour remove 2 tablespoons and replace with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, be sure to sift them together to remove any lumps. If you prefer you can use milk chocolate chips or combination of white, semisweet and milk chips. I would also advise you to let it cool before cutting it. It’s even better the day after it’s made – just cover it with plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature. It will last up to 2 days.How to store the chocolate chip crumb cake
It can also be stored wrapped well or in an airtight container in the fridge, for up to 5-6 days. Bring to room temperature before serving. The cake can be frozen well wrapped and placed in a freezer bag. It will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter.Nutrition
Adapted from Brown Eyed Baker via Piggy’s Cooking Journal
Updated from January 10, 2019.
Hello Rosemary:
I just wanted to make a few comments and observations on the recipe above. I just made it and it’s in the oven baking but I have to offer my opinion on the crumb topping—-are you sure the recipe is made with one half cup (one stick) of butter? I think the proportions are off as it is really a lot of butter given the amount of flour and sugar. I have made many crumb topped recipes and pies in my life and even went to my trusty recipe folder to check out a few struesel recipes for crumb toppings. Most of them state the four TBLS. of butter to the ratio of one half cup flour and brown sugar. Luckily for me, my butter was too firm and I mixed in one TBLS. at a time —-I even had to add a bit more flour to make the crumbs hold together —if I had used the entire stick of butter , I think it would have been a gloppy mess. Maybe that was the reason why one of the posters above stated her cake overflowed?? I just thought I would ask you about this lest anyone else has an issue. I can smell it now and oh, boy! Can’t wait to eat this later on with a big pot of coffee. Best to you!
Hi Doris, Yes I double checked the recipe and it is 1/2 a cup of butter. I know it seems like a lot but it really isn’t and that’s what makes it so buttery, but if you think it is too much for you by all means decrease it. Let me know how it is. Regards.
Hello Rosemary!
I was perusing the internet and found your site (was looking for this specific recipe). My, oh,my ! I am making this today for our Sunday dessert. So glad that I found your site. Have a happy day —-I will be looking for more recipes on your blog very soon. Being Italian myself , you can’t have enough food for Sunday meals—-Ciao and blessings to you!
Hi Doris, So glad you found my site and I hope you enjoy the recipes. Have a wonderful Sunday.
such an awesome cake!! I love the chocolate chips in this cake and that crumb topping is wonderful! Thank you for sharing your recipe with us at #SaucySaturdays! :
My stomach just started grumbling when I saw this! I love a crumb topping and those little chocolate chips are so cute! Thanks for linking up to Saucy Saturdays!
An edit to the above comment… I almost forgot to yum it by drooling over the pix.. haha
Looks like it is waiting for me to make it and eat it.. love it
Hi Fareeha, thanks so much, hope you enjoy it.
Oh my! This looks heavenly. 🙂
Aloha Rose … this cake does look yummy! May I ask the brand and where you find Unsweetened Mini Chocolate Chips? Mahalo!
Hi Mynda, the mini chocolate chips I use are fondente which is dark chocolate in english, I suppose they would also be known as semi sweet. In Italy you can get only 2 types, dark and white chocolate mini chips. (I usually use Perugina). Hope that helps.
My six year old and I made it this afternoon and it’s delicious. I substituted kefir for a bit of the yogurt and it turned out really moist. Also I didn’t have enough butter to make the crumble and it’s fine without.
Hi Heather, so glad you liked it.
This looks delicious! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
I tried this & I had butter over flowing in my over – It was a MESS–
Hi Margaret, I am really sorry to hear that, I have no idea why that would happen. Did you use a 9″ loaf pan?
I will try it again – & make sure my pan is 9 in – or I’ll make 2 smaller ones – Thanks for your response – so soon – 🙂
This looks so yummy. I really like your photos too!
Hi Keisha, thank you very much. Have a great weekend.
Omg! This looks so good! I have to make this!!! The photos are beautiful too. It’s chilly today…coffee with this cake sounds perfect!
Hi Veronica, it is really chilly here too, lots of wind, perfect day for cake. Have a great weekend.
Rose,
What a delicious looking cake! I love crumb cake and the more streusel on top, the better. I can’t wait to try it! Pinned!
Hi Aida, thank you, I love crumb cakes too, I hope you enjoy it.
This looks absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to start baking once we get back home. This will be at the top of the list. Thank you for sharing a great recipe.
Hi Marisa, thank you hope you enjoy it, have a great day.