New Jersey Crumb Coffee Cake

This Crumb Coffee Cake recipe makes an incredibly moist cake with a buttery cinnamon crumb topping – just like you find in NJ bakeries.

You’ll love the generous amount of buttery cinnamon crumbs atop this moist and delicious cake – a true favorite of mine. With a hint of vanilla and a subtle tang from the buttermilk, it’s sure to become one of your favorites too!

Growing up in New Jersey, I loved cakes like Entenmann’s Crumb Coffee Cake and Crumb Buns from the local bakery.  I have a weakness for anything with a crumb topping!

On Sunday mornings, my parents always had fresh rolls and crumb cake from the bakery.  The best was when it was still warm!

Food can really remind you of home. When I lived in England, crumb cake wasn’t sold there, which forced me to try to recreate this beloved favorite. The good news  – this Jersey Girl can bake!  This is my version of the Entenmann’s cake of my childhood.   I warn you – it’s addictive!  

Step By Step Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. This step ensures that the cake doesn’t stick to the pan and comes out easily.

Making The Topping

To make the topping for the Crumb Coffee Cake, add 3 cups of cake flour, 2 cups of packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon and of salt to a large bowl.

Then whisk together to combine the ingredients together.

Add 1 cup (2 sticks) of melted butter to the dry ingredients.

Then mixing gently to incorporate. You just want to moisten the flour enough to form clumps when pressed together. Mix gently until there is no visible dryness.

Squeeze a handful of the topping into your hand. If it doesn’t clump together, add a little more melted butter until it does. This step ensures that the crumb topping will stay together while baking. Set the crumb topping aside.

Making The Cake

For the cake batter, mix together 2½ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of salt.

In a large bowl, beat ¾ cups of softened butter (1½ sticks) until light. This step adds air to the butter, making the cake more tender.

While the butter and sugar are being worked together, mix 2 large eggs, 1¼ cups of buttermilk, and 1½ teaspoons of vanilla extract in a mid-sized measuring cup. The mixture may curdle a little. This is perfectly fine.

Add the flour mixture and wet ingredients to the butter mixture separately in three alternating additions. Begin by adding one-third of the wet mixture, then one-third of the dry ingredients, and continue alternating until both the flour mixture and wet ingredients have been fully incorporated into the butter mixture.

It’s important not to overmix the batter, so only mix until the ingredients are just combined. The mixture will be thick. The thick batter ensures that the crumb topping stays on top of the cake.

Assembling The Cake

Transfer the cake batter to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly over the pan.

Hand-squeeze small handfuls of topping together and crumble clumps evenly over the cake batter, covering with a thick layer of topping.

This is the most satisfying step! The generous topping of buttery, tender cinnamon crumbs makes Crumb Coffee Cake irresistible.

Bake for 45 minutes to an hour or until the tester comes out clean and the topping is deep golden brown and a little crisp. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it after 45 minutes.

Cool the cake in the dish on a rack for at least 30 minutes. This step is important to allow the crumbs to set. Once cool, dust with powdered sugar.

Cut the Crumb Coffee Cake into squares to serve.

Enjoy every last bite of this delicious cake with a cup of coffee or tea.

Update Notes: This post was originally published in July 2014, but was republished in 2023 with a new recipe that was altered to address reported issues with sinking crumbs.