Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake Recipe

This Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake Recipe is a buttery and decadent recipe, which features rich almond paste and plenty of mini chocolate chips. It’s the ultimate brunch treat, ready in about 2 hours.

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Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake Recipe Ingredients

For the Crumbs:

• 1 3/4 cups cake flour
• 2/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the Cake:

• 2 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 tablespoons almond paste, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or 4 tsp vanilla extract)
• 2/3 cup full-fat buttermilk
• 12 ounces mini chocolate chips

How To Make Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake Recipe

1. Make the crumb topping: In a mixing bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt by hand. Pour in the melted butter and use your hands to squeeze the mixture together, forming large, chunky crumbs. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour. This helps the crumbs hold their shape during baking.
2. Prep the oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
3. Combine cake ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, sift together the cake flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer running on low speed, add the softened butter one tablespoon at a time. Mix in the room temperature almond paste until the mixture looks sandy.
4. Finish the batter: Add the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla bean paste. Pour in the buttermilk, then increase the speed to medium-high and cream the batter for 2 to 3 minutes. The batter should look very light and fluffy. Use a spatula to gently fold in the mini chocolate chips by hand.
5. Assemble the cake: Scrape the batter into the prepared buttered baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Tap the dish once on the countertop to settle the batter and remove air bubbles. Top the batter evenly with the chilled crumbs.
6. Bake the cake: Bake for 20 minutes. Then, rotate the cake pan 180 degrees to ensure even browning and continue to bake for another 25 to 30 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
7. Cool and serve: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before serving. This cake is delicious served warm.

Recipe Tips

• Why use almond paste: Almond paste adds a subtle, sophisticated nutty flavor and contributes to a incredibly moist, dense crumb that mimics high-end bakery cakes. Do not confuse this with marzipan, which is sweeter and stiffer.
• Why chill the crumbs: If you put warm or room temperature crumbs on the cake, they might melt into the batter as it bakes. Chilling them ensures they stay distinct and crunchy on top.
• Cake flour vs. All-purpose: Cake flour has less protein, which results in a tender, fine crumb. If you don’t have it, make a substitute: measure 1 cup of all-purpose flour, remove 2 tablespoons, and replace with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Sift well.
• Mini chips are best: Mini chocolate chips distribute much more evenly in the batter than regular sized chips, ensuring you get chocolate in every bite without them sinking to the bottom.

What To Serve With Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake

This rich coffee cake is best enjoyed with beverages that balance its sweetness.

• Hot black coffee or espresso
• A cold glass of milk
• Herbal tea
• Fresh berries on the side

How To Store Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake Recipe

• Room Temperature: Store the cake in an airtight container or covered tightly with foil at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: You can freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the microwave.

Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 450
• Total Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Cholesterol: 85mg
• Sodium: 320mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 60g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 35g
• Protein: 5g

Nutrition information is estimated per slice and may vary based on ingredients and serving size.

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