New York Style Crumb Cake

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking pan
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the finished cake out easily.
2. Make the crumb topping
   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the topping. Pour in the melted butter and stir with a fork until large crumbs form. The mixture should look like wet sand that can be pressed into clumps. Set aside while preparing the cake batter.
3. Mix the cake batter
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, whisk the melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Assemble the cake
   Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly to the edges. Take handfuls of the crumb topping and break it into large chunks, sprinkling it evenly over the batter. Use all of the crumb mixture, creating a thick layer on top.
5. Bake the cake
   Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The crumb topping should be golden brown and slightly firm to the touch.
6. Cool and serve
   Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before lifting it out using the parchment paper overhang. Cool completely on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired, then cut into squares to serve.