Easy Chocolate Crumb Cake Recipe made with a Cake Mix
Updated Jan 23, 2026, Published May 10, 2022
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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
- 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.
- How easy it is to make. Using a cake mix for the cake layer means you can have the cake ready in no time.
- It is versatile. My favorite thing about a crumb cake is that you can eat it for breakfast with a cup of coffee {like this Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread} 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 and our other chocolate cake mix recipes.
- 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. It really brings out the flavors in this Chocolate Brownie Bundt Cake!
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. The chocolate-cinnamon combo is perfect in my Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies, too!
- 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
- 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.
- In a small bowl combine all of the crumb mixture ingredients.
- 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.
- Sprinkle the crumbs in an even and thick layer over the top of the chocolate cake batter.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes.
- 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
Chocolate Crumb Cake with a Cake Mix
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 1 box chocolate cake mix, {15.25 ounce}
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup butter, {melted}
- ¼ cup sour cream
Chocolate Crumb Topping
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup butter, {melted}
- ¼ cup cocoa
- 3 cups all purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray {set aside}.
Chocolate Cake
- 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 prepared 9x13 pan and spread into an even layer.
Chocolate Crumb Topping
- In a small bowl combine all of the crumb mixture ingredients. Work the mixture together into small crumbs using a pastry blender {or fork}. Don't over work the mixture or you will get a paste and it will change the texture. Sprinkle the crumbs in an even and thick layer over the top of the chocolate cake batter. Bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Remove your Chocolate Crumb Cake from the oven and serve warm or let the cake cool completely and cover. Cake will stay moist for 3 days at room temperature or 4-5 in the refrigerator. It also freezes for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Have you ever tried to make this in a bundt pan? If so, how long would I bake it?
I have not tried that before. Normally bundt cakes take between 40-55 minutes to bake and so I would check it at 40 minutes and then bake accordingly.
I made this recipe today and it tasted delicious but the crumbs were very dry and did not attach to the cake at all. What do I need to do next time to get the dense crumbs shown in the photo?
You have to work the crumb ingredients until they get that consistency but if for some reason it won’t, try adding 1/2 teaspoon of milk.
3 c flour for the crumb topping? Is this correct?
That is correct. It makes a THICK layer. Enjoy!