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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8x8 inch baking pan. For that classic Fairway crumb, we're going big on the topping!

Prepare the crumb topping: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Pour in the melted butter and vanilla extract. Mix with a fork or your hands until large, moist crumbs form. You want generous, chunky crumbs, not a fine powder. Set aside.

Prepare the cake batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and the large egg until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract.

In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and milk.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined after each addition; do not overmix. The batter will be thick.

Spread the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. This is your foundation for a truly magnificent crumb cake.

Generously sprinkle the entire crumb topping over the cake batter, ensuring an even and thick layer. Don't be shy – this is where the 'crumb' in crumb cake shines!

Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake (not the crumb topping) comes out clean. The crumb topping should be golden brown and fragrant. Keep an eye on it; ovens vary.

Let the crumb cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the crumbs to set and the cake to firm up. Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee, just like they do in the best NYC delis!


Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8x8 inch baking pan. For that classic Fairway crumb, we're going big on the topping!

Prepare the crumb topping: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Pour in the melted butter and vanilla extract. Mix with a fork or your hands until large, moist crumbs form. You want generous, chunky crumbs, not a fine powder. Set aside.

Prepare the cake batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and the large egg until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract.

In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and milk.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined after each addition; do not overmix. The batter will be thick.

Spread the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. This is your foundation for a truly magnificent crumb cake.

Generously sprinkle the entire crumb topping over the cake batter, ensuring an even and thick layer. Don't be shy – this is where the 'crumb' in crumb cake shines!

Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake (not the crumb topping) comes out clean. The crumb topping should be golden brown and fragrant. Keep an eye on it; ovens vary.

Let the crumb cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the crumbs to set and the cake to firm up. Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee, just like they do in the best NYC delis!
