Easy Crumb Cake Recipe with Yellow Cake Mix

This easy crumb cake recipe with yellow cake mix gives you a soft, fluffy cake covered with a thick layer of buttery cinnamon crumbs.

Adding instant vanilla pudding to the boxed cake mix gives the cake a tender texture and richer flavor without requiring a long list of ingredients.

Serve this easy cake recipe for breakfast, brunch or dessert with a cup of coffee.

Since it is baked in a 9×13-inch pan, it is also an easy cake to bring to holidays, parties, potlucks and family gatherings.

If you enjoy taking shortcuts with boxed mixes, this simple baking idea is perfect.

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Why You’ll Love This Crumb Cake Recipe

• It begins with a box of yellow cake mix.
• Instant pudding makes the cake soft and flavorful.
• The cinnamon crumb topping is made with basic pantry ingredients.
• Everything is baked in one 9×13-inch pan.
• It is easy enough for beginning bakers.
• You can make it a day before serving.

What Makes a Crumb Cake a Crumb Cake?

A crumb cake is known for its generous layer of buttery crumbs. The topping is usually made with flour, sugar, butter and cinnamon, creating large, tender crumbs that contrast with the soft cake underneath.

Crumb cake and coffee cake are similar, but crumb cake generally has a much thicker crumb topping. Coffee cake may have only a thin layer of streusel or a cinnamon swirl baked into the center.

Can I Use Yellow Cake Mix to Make Crumb Cake?

Yes. Yellow cake mix is an easy starting point for crumb cake because it already contains the flour, sugar and leavening needed for the cake layer. It also has a buttery flavor that works well with cinnamon crumb topping.

This yellow cake mix recipe adds instant vanilla pudding, eggs, milk and oil to the cake mix. The extra ingredients give a basic box cake mix a softer texture and more homemade flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the cake:

• Yellow cake mix for the base
• Instant vanilla pudding mix for a soft, tender texture
• Vegetable oil for moisture
• Eggs to bind the batter
• Milk for a smooth, rich consistency

For the crumb topping:

• Melted butter for richness
• All-purpose flour to create the crumb texture
• Granulated sugar for sweetness
• Ground cinnamon for warm spice
• Powdered sugar for optional finishing

How to Make Crumb Cake with a Box Cake Mix

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
• Add the yellow cake mix, dry vanilla pudding mix, oil, eggs and milk to a large mixing bowl. Beat until the ingredients are combined and the batter is smooth.
• Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan and bake.
• While the cake is baking, combine the melted butter, flour, sugar and cinnamon. Stir until large crumbs begin to form.
• Remove the cake from the oven and carefully sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the top.
• Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the crumb topping is set and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool before dusting it with powdered sugar and cutting it into squares.

Tips for Making the Best Cake Mix Crumb Cake

• Use instant pudding. Cook-and-serve pudding will not give the batter the same consistency.
• Let the butter cool slightly. Extremely hot butter can make the crumb mixture greasy.
• Leave some larger crumbs. Avoid overmixing the topping into fine crumbs. A mixture of small and large pieces creates the best texture.
• Spread the topping evenly. This makes sure every serving has plenty of cinnamon crumbs.

Easy Crumb Cake Variations

• Fold blueberries into the cake batter for blueberry crumb cake.
• Add finely chopped walnuts or pecans to the topping.
• Use a pumpkin baking mix for a warm fall cake recipe like this Pumpkin Crumb Cake.
• Drizzle the cooled cake with a simple powdered sugar glaze instead of dusting it with sugar.

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