Easy Chocolate Crumb Cake Recipe made with a Cake Mix

I have made dozens of crumb cake recipes but this Easy Chocolate Crumb Cake Recipe is something unique.  The chocolate crumb topping takes the entire cake to the next level.  Not only is it buttery and sweet like the crumb cakes I am used to but the chocolate flavor is spectacular!  The chocolate cake and chocolate crumb topping are a double chocolate explosion that you want to be there for.  Trust me!  

Why you want to make this Chocolate Crumb Cake Recipe

1. The amazing flavor!  I know I said it before but I am going to say it again.  Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!  The moist chocolate cake with the crumbly chocolate crumb topping is double chocolate heaven.
2. How easy it is to make.  Using a cake mix for the cake layer means you can have the cake ready in no time.
3. It is versatile.  My favorite thing about a crumb cake is that you can eat it for breakfast with a cup of coffee. Or for dessert with a scoop of ice cream.  

Ingredients Needed

Chocolate Cake-

• Chocolate Cake Mix-The perfect starting point for this moist and delicious chocolate cake.
• Eggs-Added to help bind the ingredients and give it a nice and light texture.
• Butter-Used instead of vegetable oil because it adds richness and flavor that only butter can bring.
• Sour Cream-My favorite ingredient to add to baked goods because the tang helps to balance the sweetness.

Chocolate Crumb Topping-

• Granulated Sugar-For extra sweetness in the crumb topping.
• Brown Sugar-The main ingredient adding sweetness with a nice and deep flavor.
• Cinnamon-Adding a bit of cinnamon to the crumb mixture only highlights the already fabulous chocolate flavor.
• Butter-Used to bind the crumb topping together and give the crumb topping that iconic texture.
• Cocoa-To get the wonderful chocolate flavor in the crumb topping.
• All Purpose Flour-Added for structure in the crumb topping.

How to make Chocolate Crumb Cake with a Cake Mix

1. Combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, water, melted butter and sour cream in a medium bowl and mix until everything is combined well. {I used a hand held mixer} Pour batter into a prepared 9×13 pan and spread it into an even layer.
2. In a small bowl combine all of the crumb mixture ingredients.
3. Work the mixture together into small crumbs using a pastry blender {or fork}.  Don’t overwork the mixture or you will get a paste and it will change the texture. 
4. Sprinkle the crumbs in an even and thick layer over the top of the chocolate cake batter.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and serve immediately or allow to cool and serve later.  I like to dust with powdered sugar but a scoop of ice cream works great too!

Tips for the BEST Crumb Cake

• Use butter and not vegetable oil or margarine.  The melted butter in both the cake and the crumb topping is part of what makes this cake so flavorful.  It is also what helps give the cake a moist texture.  In turn, it helps give the crumbly texture to the crumb topping.
• Pile it high with crumb topping.  This recipe makes a large amount of crumb mixture because I love the cake to be about half cake and half crumb.  Don’t be shy, pile that cake high!  You won’t be sorry.
• Don’t over bake.  It is important to bake the cake all of the way through and get the crumb topping nice and crumbly.  You don’t, however want a dry cake.  Pull the cake out of the oven when a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs but no raw cake batter.
• Serve it warm.  There is nothing better than pulling this Chocolate Crumb Cake straight from the oven, cutting a square and serving it up.  It is magical.  

Frequently Asked Questions:

How to Store Crumb Cake?

You can store crumb cake either at room temperature or in the refrigerator.  Make sure it is completely cooled.  Then cover the crumb cake tightly with plastic wrap or put it into an airtight container.  

It will keep for a couple of days at room temperature and 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

How to freeze Crumb Cake?

Absolutely!  Chocolate Crumb Cake will freeze well for up to 3 months if it is covered well.  The only problem might be that the crumb topping could lose some of the crispness as it thaws.

Is Crumb Cake the same as Coffee Cake?

Crumb Cake and Coffee Cake are similar.  The cake batter itself is much the same.  Where these two cakes differ is in the amount of streusel {crumb} topping.  

A coffee cake has much less streusel topping then a crumb cake which a lot of times makes up half of the cake.

What is the Crumb of the Cake?

The crumb of the cake can actually mean a couple of different things especially when you are talking about a Chocolate Crumb Cake.

The crumb could be the texture of the cake itself {soft, firm, airy, dense, etc.} and it can be the crumble like topping on the cake.

Do you love Crumb Cake?  Try these awesome recipes…

• Banana Crumb Cake Recipe
• Apple Crumb Cake Recipe
• Easy Lemon Blueberry Crumb Cake with Sour Cream Recipe
• Red Velvet Crumb Cake Recipe with a Cake Mix
• Easy Zucchini Crumb Cake Recipe