Description
Sweet layers of buttery cake and fresh strawberries come together in this Strawberry Crumb Cake, creating a delightful dessert that sings with summer’s bounty. Crumbly streusel topping and juicy berries make you crave each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 pound strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
Cake Base Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Crumb Topping Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into cubes
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and preparing a pan with grease and optional parchment paper lining for easy cake removal.
- Create a creamy base by vigorously beating butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and significantly increased in volume, which typically takes 2-3 minutes of continuous mixing.
- Introduce liquid components by incorporating egg, milk, and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture achieves a uniform, smooth consistency with no visible curdling.
- Gently fold dry ingredients including flour, baking powder, and salt into the wet mixture, using minimal strokes to prevent developing excessive gluten that could result in a tough texture.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, distributing it evenly and strategically positioning fresh strawberry slices across the surface in an overlapping pattern for maximum flavor coverage.
- Craft the streusel topping by combining sugar, flour, and salt, then integrate cold butter using fingertips or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse, irregular crumbs.
- Bake the cake initially at 350°F for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 325°F and continue baking for 50-60 minutes until the surface turns golden brown and a testing probe emerges clean when inserted into the center.
- Allow the cake to rest and stabilize within the pan for approximately 15 minutes before carefully releasing and transferring to a serving platform.
Notes
- Choose ripe, sweet strawberries for the most intense flavor and best texture in your cake.
- Bring butter and egg to room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth, even incorporation and prevent curdling.
- Gentle folding prevents gluten development, keeping the cake tender and light instead of tough and dense.
- Customize the recipe by substituting strawberries with blueberries, raspberries, or peaches for seasonal variations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg