Streuselkuchen
German Crumb Cake
A classic German crumb cake, perfect for 'Kaffee und Kuchen' (coffee and cake) on a Sunday afternoon. This recipe features a rich, buttery, and generous crumble topping over a soft yeast dough base.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Yeast dough(This can be a pre-made or homemade enriched yeast dough. If making from scratch, ensure it includes ingredients like flour, yeast, milk, sugar, eggs, and butter.)
- 200 g Unsalted Butter, cold(For the crumble topping. Ensure it's cold and cubed for best results.)
- 200 g All-purpose Flour(For the crumble topping.)
- 150 g Granulated Sugar(For the crumble topping. You can adjust slightly to your sweetness preference.)
- 1 packet Vanilla Sugar(Or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract mixed into the crumble ingredients for flavor.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Yeast Dough: If using homemade dough, prepare it according to your recipe and allow it to rise until doubled in size in a warm place. This typically takes about 1 hour. If using store-bought dough, let it come to room temperature as per package instructions.
⏱️ 1 hour (for rising) - 2
Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 24-26 cm (9-10 inch) round springform pan or a rectangular baking pan (approx. 20x30 cm / 8x12 inches).
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Make the Crumble Topping (Streusel): In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and vanilla sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using your fingertips, a pastry blender, or a food processor on pulse mode, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Do not overmix; you want distinct crumbles.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Assemble the Cake: Gently press or spread the risen yeast dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, covering the bottom. If the dough is sticky, lightly flour your hands or use a spatula.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Add the Crumble: Generously sprinkle the prepared streusel topping evenly over the yeast dough, ensuring full coverage.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the cake is cooked through. A skewer inserted into the center of the dough (avoiding the crumble) should come out clean.
⏱️ 35-40 minutes - 7
Cool and Serve: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before removing the springform ring (if used). Serve warm or at room temperature.
⏱️ 20 minutes (cooling)
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For extra large, buttery crumbs, ensure your butter is very cold and don't overwork the crumble mixture.
- ✓This cake is a beloved Sunday tradition in many German households, often enjoyed with a pot of coffee.
- ✓Best served slightly warm or at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a layer of sliced apples, plums, cherries, or berries over the yeast dough before topping with streusel.
- Incorporate a layer of Quark (a German fresh cheese) or cream cheese filling between the dough and the streusel.