Hansel and Gretel Crumb Cake Recipe
Makes 1 8×8″ cake
Prep: 30 min. * Topping: 20 min. * Baking: 35 min
Cake:
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1 1/4 cups cake flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter, cut into 6 pieces
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup buttermilk
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting (optional)
Crumb Topping:
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1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons butter, melted and still warm
1 3/4 cups cake flour
To make the topping, combine the sugars, cinnamon, and melted butter. Add the flour and stir until the
mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool for about 15 minutes.
For the cake, preheat oven to 325° F. Grease an 8” square baking dish and line with parchment, allowing
extra to hang over the sides. This extra will help lift the cake out of the pan once it is baked.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the softened chunks of butter
one piece at a time, incorporating thoroughly until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs, with no large
chunks remaining. Add the eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk, then beat together until light and fluffy.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Break apart the crumb topping and
sprinkle over the top of the batter in an even layer.
Bake until the crumbs are golden, and a toothpick comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool on a rack for
at least 30 minutes more, then remove the cake from the pan by lifting out the parchment.
Serve warm or at room temperature. Ice cream makes a wonderful accompaniment.