Mini Crumb Cakes Recipe

If you grew up in the U.S., chances are crumb cakes were part of your childhood mornings. I remember my grandmother always having a warm coffee cake cooling on the counter, the buttery crumb topping filling the whole kitchen with that irresistible cinnamon-sugar aroma. These mini crumb cakes are my nostalgic twist on her recipe—bite-sized, portable, and perfect for brunch trays, bake sales, or even gifting in pretty pastel liners.

These little cakes give you the best of both worlds: the soft, tender base of a coffee cake and the crunchy, sweet crumb topping that makes it unforgettable. Plus, by baking them in a brownie pan with cupcake liners, you get perfectly portioned, individual servings—no messy slicing needed!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Portion-Controlled – Each mini crumb cake is individually sized, so no one has to fight over corner pieces.
Great for Brunch or Coffee Breaks – These pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Make-Ahead Friendly – You can store or freeze them and have a quick pastry ready anytime.
Crowd-Pleasing Presentation – Using colorful cupcake liners in a brownie pan makes these look bakery-perfect.
Customizable – Add fruit, nuts, or glaze to switch things up!

Ingredients

For the Crumb Topping:

3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
1 1/2 cups flour

For the Cake:

2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs (separate egg whites)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the crumb topping: In a medium bowl, combine both sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Drizzle in melted butter and mix with a fork. Add flour and stir until small to medium crumbs form. Do not overmix or it will turn into a paste.
Preheat oven: Set oven to 350°F. Line a Pampered Chef Brownie Pan (or similar square muffin pan) with pastel cupcake liners.

Make the cake batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth.
Whip egg whites: In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the batter.
Fill liners: Spoon batter into each liner, filling about 3/4 full. Generously sprinkle crumb topping over each one.

Bake: Place pan in preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
Cool & finish: Remove cakes from pan and cool on a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Expert Tips & Troubleshooting

Don’t skip whipping the egg whites! It makes the cakes light and airy.
Crumb size matters. Mix until you see clumps—too fine and the topping won’t have texture.
Use liners for easy cleanup. Square pans with liners give that professional look.
Add a drizzle of glaze if you like a sweeter finish.

Variations & Serving Ideas

Fruit-Filled: Add a layer of blueberries or diced apples under the crumb topping.
Nutty Crunch: Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb mixture.
Glazed Finish: Whisk together powdered sugar and milk for a drizzle.
Holiday Twist: Swap cinnamon for pumpkin spice or add cranberries for festive flavors.

Storage & Make-Ahead Notes

Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer-Friendly: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight or microwave for 20 seconds.
Make Ahead: Bake the night before and keep covered. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

FAQs

Q: Can I make these without a brownie pan?
A: Absolutely! Use a standard muffin tin. They’ll be round instead of square, but just as tasty.

Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter?
A: Butter is best for flavor, but margarine works in a pinch.

Q: How do I know when they’re done?
A: The crumb topping should be golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes, just use two pans and rotate them halfway through baking.

Conclusion

Did your grandma make crumb cakes too? 🍰 Let me know in the comments below if you try this recipe, and don’t forget to share it with a friend or save it 📌 to Pinterest for later!