Here’s a guide to making Crumb Cake and Babka — two classic, indulgent baked treats perfect for breakfast or dessert.
🍰 Crumb Cake (Crispy, Buttery Topping)
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream or yogurt
Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
- Mix cake ingredients: cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla, then fold in flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sour cream.
- Pour cake batter into prepared pan.
- Make crumb topping: mix dry ingredients, cut in cold butter until crumbly.
- Sprinkle crumbs evenly over cake.
- Bake 35–40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
🍞 Babka (Sweet Braided Bread)
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
Filling (Chocolate Example):
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or cocoa powder + sugar
- 1/4 cup softened butter
Egg Wash:
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Mix warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar; let sit 5–10 min until frothy.
- Combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add eggs, butter, and yeast mixture; knead into smooth dough.
- Let rise 1–2 hours until doubled.
- Roll dough into a rectangle. Spread filling evenly.
- Roll dough tightly into a log, then slice lengthwise. Twist strands together to form a braid.
- Place in a greased loaf pan. Let rise 30–45 min.
- Brush with egg wash. Bake 30–35 min at 350°F (175°C) until golden.
🍽️ Tips
- Crumb Cake: For extra flavor, add a tsp of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter.
- Babka: Swap chocolate for cinnamon-sugar, Nutella, or even a fruit jam filling.
- Both: Serve slightly warm for the best aroma and texture.
If you want, I can make a combined “crumb cake babka” recipe — a braided bread with a sweet crumb topping for an indulgent twist.
Do you want me to do that?
