Raspberry Jam Crumb Cake Recipe: A Delightful Sweet Treat for Any Occasion
If you’re looking for a delicious and comforting dessert, look no further than this Raspberry Jam Crumb Cake. This cake combines the rich, buttery texture of a classic crumb cake with the sweet, tangy flavor of raspberry jam. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with a crumbly topping that adds texture and crunch. Not only is this cake irresistibly tasty, but it’s also a great way to use up any leftover jam you may have in your pantry. The combination of raspberry jam and buttery cake makes this dessert a crowd-pleaser for gatherings, brunches, or as an afternoon treat with your favorite cup of tea or coffee.
Total Time: 1 Hour
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes
Serves: 8-10 servings
Ingredients for Raspberry Jam Crumb Cake:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup milk (or non-dairy milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam (store-bought or homemade)
For the Crumb Topping:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ cup rolled oats (optional, for added texture)
How to Make Raspberry Jam Crumb Cake
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Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour an 8-inch square baking pan (or use parchment paper for easy removal). This will help prevent the cake from sticking.
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Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate smaller bowl, combine the egg, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix—some lumps are okay!
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Add the Raspberry Jam: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan. Using a spoon, drop small spoonfuls of raspberry jam evenly over the batter. Then, use a butter knife or skewer to swirl the jam into the cake batter, creating a marbled effect.
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Make the Crumb Topping: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend the ingredients together until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. If using oats, stir them in for extra texture. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the cake batter.
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Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs). The crumb topping should be golden brown and slightly crispy.
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Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before cutting into squares. For a special touch, you can dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature with a cup of coffee or tea.
Tips for the Best Raspberry Jam Crumb Cake
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Use Quality Jam: The key to a great raspberry jam crumb cake is the quality of the jam. Try to use a high-quality, natural raspberry jam with no added artificial flavors or preservatives. If you prefer a less sweet version, you can also use a homemade or no-sugar-added jam.
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Butter Makes It Better: Make sure to use unsalted butter for both the cake and crumb topping. The richness of the butter is essential for achieving that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that everyone loves in a crumb cake.
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Don’t Overmix the Batter: When mixing the cake batter, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough cake. Just stir until the dry ingredients are incorporated into the wet ingredients.
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Customize Your Topping: Feel free to adjust the crumb topping to your liking. If you enjoy a larger crumb topping, you can double the amount of topping ingredients. You can also experiment with adding chopped nuts (like almonds or pecans) for extra crunch or swapping the oats for other grains like quinoa flakes for a unique texture.
Customization and Variations
This Raspberry Jam Crumb Cake is highly customizable, so feel free to get creative! You can swap out the raspberry jam for other fruit jams, like strawberry, blueberry, or even apricot, depending on your preference or the fruit you have available. You could also mix in some fresh berries (like raspberries or blackberries) to make the cake even more fruity and vibrant.
If you prefer a dairy-free version, you can easily substitute the milk with a plant-based milk such as almond, oat, or coconut milk. Additionally, swap the butter with dairy-free margarine or coconut oil. You can even make the cake vegan by replacing the egg with a flax egg or an egg replacer.
Feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste or dietary preferences!
Serving Suggestions
This raspberry jam crumb cake makes a wonderful dessert for any occasion. Serve it as a sweet breakfast treat with a cup of coffee, or as a light dessert after dinner. It’s also a fantastic option for potlucks, parties, or family gatherings, as it’s easy to slice into squares for serving.
For an extra indulgence, top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of raspberry sauce. The tangy jam and crumbly topping pair beautifully with these additions, making every bite a little more special.
Enjoy this Raspberry Jam Crumb Cake as part of your dessert repertoire, and don’t hesitate to make adjustments to the recipe based on your preferences. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and buttery goodness that will delight anyone who tries it!
