Certainly! Here’s a unique and original twist on a classic New York-style crumb cake recipe:
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Baking Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Yields: Serves 12
Ingredients
For the Luscious Crumble
- 1 cup (200g) firmly packed golden or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks; 230g) melted unsalted butter
- 2 and 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour (lightly spooned & leveled)
For the Moist, Buttery Cake
- 2 and 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour (lightly spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup (240g) full-fat sour cream, at room temperature*
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Optional: a dusting of confectioners’ sugar for that final touch
Directions
- Begin your culinary journey by preheating your oven to a cozy 350°F (177°C). Grease up a trusty 9×13 inch baking pan or lay it with parchment paper, whether it’s glass, ceramic, or metal – all work fine. Just remember, metal pans tend to be a bit speedier in the oven, so watch closely and use a toothpick for doneness. Set the pan aside, and let’s get crumblin’.
- Crafting the Irresistible Crumble: In a medium-sized bowl, blend together the golden brown sugar, granulated sugar, aromatic cinnamon, and a pinch of sea salt. Now, pour in that heavenly melted butter, followed by gently stirring in the flour using a fork. The goal here is keeping the mixture in chunky crumbles, so don’t get carried away with the mixing. Overmixing turns this masterpiece into an impenetrable paste. Set this crumbly treasure aside; we’ll reunite it with the cake later.
- Creating the Cake Base: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and a touch of sea salt. This will serve as the foundation for your cake, so give it the attention it deserves.
- It’s time to coax some magic into the batter. In your trusty mixer, whether it’s handheld or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, whip up the softened butter and granulated sugar at a high speed. Give it about 2 minutes until it transforms into a creamy and dreamy mixture. Scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl as needed.
- Now, it’s time to invite the stars of the show. Add in the eggs, followed by the room-temperature sour cream and the pure vanilla extract. Don’t fret if the mixture looks a bit curdled; it’ll all come together in the end. Keep scraping the sides and bottom to make sure everything’s well-mingled.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually introduce the dry ingredients you’ve whisked together earlier. Go slow, and don’t overdo it. The batter should be thick, creamy, and slightly sticky, promising a heavenly crumb cake.
- Gently spread this tantalizing batter into the prepared baking pan. Now, it’s time for the grand reunion – sprinkle that crumble topping all over the cake. With a spatula or the back of a spoon, press the crumbles down lovingly into the cake to ensure they stick like old friends.
- Pop your creation into the preheated oven and let it bake for 45-55 minutes. Keep a watchful eye as baking times can vary. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean and crumb-free. If you spot any excessive browning on top or at the edges, give your cake a gentle foil blanket.
- Once it’s achieved that perfect golden glow, bring it out and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30-45 minutes. If you’re going for the ultimate presentation, lightly dust the top with a snowfall of confectioners’ sugar. Now, it’s time to slice and savor your very own “Big Apple Crumble Delight.” Enjoy!
picture source: sallysbakingaddiction.com
