The best strawberry crumb cake! This easy vanilla cake recipe has a sweet strawberry filling and topping. Made with dried strawberries, this quick cake is perfect even when it isn't strawberry season. Enjoy it for dessert, a snack or with a cup of coffee for breakfast!
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This strawberry cake is all about flavor and texture! It's buttery and soft; with a strawberry filling and topping. Oh, and did I mention it is super simple and takes about 10 minutes to prepare? Perfect whether you've been a lifetime baker {like me!} or are a beginner baker.
Whether you serve this crumb coffee cake as a dessert, with an afternoon tea or for breakfast, it's sure to become a favorite.
For other quick cake recipes be sure to try my easy blueberry coffee cake, cinnamon walnut coffee cake, vanilla snack cake or chocolate malt cake.
why you will love this crumb cake recipe
- Quick to make.
- The BEST moist and tender texture!
- No mixer needed ~ just a whisk, spatula and a few bowls.
- Freeze dried strawberries ~ can be made with full strawberry flavor any time of year!
ingredients and substitutions
Please scroll to the printable recipe card at the end of this post for the full list of ingredients and baking directions.
- Vegetable oil ~ canola oil or coconut oil could be used instead. I have not tested it, but suspect you could use applesauce for a slightly healthier cake. Let me know if you try it!
- Kefir ~ I have been baking with kefir a lot recently. I love the moisture and slight tang that it brings to cakes and muffins. It also adds richness and protein to the recipe. You can substitute with buttermilk or milk {I tested it with 1%}.
- Vanilla ~ for flavor.
- Egg ~ one large egg is needed.
- All-purpose flour ~ be sure to measure your flour correctly. A kitchen scale is best or fluff the flour in it's container before spooning it into your measuring cup and using the back of a knife to level it off.
- Sugar ~ granulated sugar is used in the cake and strawberry crumb. Confectioners' sugar {not shown} can be dusted over the cake prior to serving, if desired.
- Baking powder ~ adds some lift to the cake.
- Kosher salt ~ helps to balance the flavors.
- Unsalted butter ~ melted butter is drizzled over the crumb cake before baking.
- Freeze dried strawberries ~ used for the strawberry crumb filling. I usually buy mine at Trader Joe's or Target.
how to make instructions plus video tutorial
Start by preparing an 8x8 baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
Then in a large mixing bowl whisk the egg, oil, kefir and vanilla until fully combined.
Next in a medium bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and kosher salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until fully combined.
Grind the freeze dried strawberries into a fine powder. You can use a food processor {this is the updated version of my Cuisinart mini prep} or mash them with the back of a spoon. Once strawberries are in ground form, mix with the granulated sugar and set aside.
Now pour half of the thick cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth with an offset spatula. Sprinkle half of the strawberry crumb mixture over the batter. Top with the remaining half of cake batter and carefully smooth over the strawberry layer. Sprinkle the remaining half of the strawberry mixture over the top of the cake batter.
Then bake in a preheated oven until a cake tester comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
what is the difference between coffee cake and crumb cake?
These cakes are very similar and the names are often used interchangeably. A crumb cake and coffee cake both have a thick batter. A coffee cake tends to have a thinner streusel, while a crumb cake tends to have a more crumbly topping.
Remember to pin this recipe to Pinterest! Use the button on the recipe card or the share buttons on the side or bottom of this page.
serving ideas
- Dust the strawberry cake with confectioners' sugar before serving. Make sure the cake is cool or the sugar will melt right into it.
- Drizzle with a vanilla or lemon glaze.
- For a sophisticated twist, a reduced balsamic glaze would be incredible! Simmer ¼ cup of good balsamic vinegar with 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar until the mixture reduces by half. Allow to cool before drizzling over the strawberry crumb cake.
frequently asked questions
can I use a different berry?
Yes, freeze dried raspberries or blueberries would also be delicious in this crumb cake.
can I use fresh or frozen strawberries?
No, this strawberry crumb cake was designed to bake with freeze dried strawberries. Fresh or frozen strawberries would add too much moisture to the final cake.
can this crumb cake be made gluten free?
I did not test this recipe with gluten free flour. If you try it, I'd love to know how it turns out for you.
can this strawberry cake be baked in different sizes ?
Yes! This coffee cake recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9x13 baking pan. You could also bake it in a 9x9 pan. The bake times will vary slightly and if baking in a 9x9 pan it will bake faster than the time listed in the recipe card.
how to store
Store any leftover strawberry crumb cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
You can freeze the cake for up to 2 months. You can either wrap the whole thing tightly in a double layer in plastic wrap. Or cut the cake into individual slices; then wrap each slice tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap.
Allow to defrost at room temperature before serving. You can also wrap it in aluminum foil and rewarm in a 300°F oven for 8-10 minutes.
Remember to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram if you make this Strawberry Crumb Cake. It warms my heart to see you bring these recipes to life! Thank you for being here and happy baking!
more berry desserts
- Berry Crumble Bars
- Homemade Raspberry Cake
- No Bake Mascarpone Cheesecake {with Strawberries and Mint}
- White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies
- Frozen Blueberry Pie
If you make this recipe {or any recipe!} from two sugar bugs please come back and leave a review and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating. I read every comment, and I LOVE hearing from you!
Strawberry Crumb Cake
recipe created and tested by:
I highly recommend using weight (metric) measurements when available for more accuracy and the best results.
Please note
When using 2x or 3x ingredients, the grams DO NOT adjust, you will have to manually do that.
Ingredients
vanilla cake
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup vegetable oil 120mL
- ½ cup kefir* 120mL
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 188g
- ½ cup granulated sugar 100g
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted 28g
strawberry crumb
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar 67g
- 1.2 ounces freeze dried strawberries ground 34g
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter an 8x8 pan or line it with parchment paper with a little overhang. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk 1 large egg with the oil (½ cup/120mL), kefir (½ cup/120mL) and vanilla (2 teaspoons) until fully combined.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour (1 ½ cups/188g), sugar (½ cup/100g), baking powder (1 ½ teaspoons) and kosher salt (¼ teaspoon). Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until fully combined.
- Grind the freeze dried strawberries (1.2 ounces/134g) into a fine powder. This can be done with a food processor or mash them with the back of a spoon. Once strawberries are in ground form, mix with the granulated sugar (⅓ cup/67g) and set aside.
- Pour half of the thick batter into the prepared pan and smooth with an offset spatula. Sprinkle half of the strawberry crumb mixture over the batter. Top with the remaining half of cake batter and carefully smooth over the strawberry layer. Sprinkle the remaining half of the strawberry mixture over the top of the cake batter. Then take the melted unsalted butter (2 tablespoons/28g) and drizzle it over the top of the cake.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition information is based on third-party calculations, is an estimate only and may not be entirely accurate. Actual nutritional values will vary based on brands used and portion sizes.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen says
Oh this simple cake looks and sounds so delightful, and this strawberry crumble is a genius idea! I've never baked with kefir, but I've also heard if makes dough super moist and fluffy - and I can see that!
Tasia says
Thank you Ben! I hope you give kefir a try!
Michelle says
This is such a pretty pink cake! Perfect for Valentine's Day, or anytime -- I'd love a slice with a cup of tea!
Tasia says
Thank you Michelle! It's just perfect with a cup of tea!