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Apple Crumb Bars

3 Comments / Cookies

I gotta tell you- these apple crumb bars have been one of the most rewarding parts of my week. Before you think I’m entirely lame, let me just explain.

You ever go through one of those ruts where you feel out of sorts? Days when it seems like you’re out of step and nothing is working out the way you planned? This is me, as of late, in the kitchen. I’ve spent the past couple of weeks testing recipes and attempting to stock up goodies to share with you all in the coming months. With other big work projects just around the corner, I knew I would need to use this time to ready myself and this site for the days to come. Unfortunately, it’s just not happening. Everything I’ve been making has left me wanting, and, honestly, it just gets to be a bummer. There’s only so many failed loaves of bread and crumbly cookies you can shrug at before you never want to see a bag of flour again, okay?

Apple Crumb Bars by Wood and Spoon Blog. These layered apple pie bars are the perfect fall dessert. A buttery shortbread crust, simple apple pie filling, and oat crumble topping make these a delicious and textured treat for autumn desserts. Try these around the holidays for group gathering potlucks or simple dinners. The recipe is on thewoodandspoon.com

So when these apple crumb bars turned out to be straight-up BOMB, I was thrilled. It’s amazing how a single victory, albeit small, can give you a little extra kick in your step, you know? These apple crumb bars, with their buttery shortbread crust, spiced and slightly tart apple filling, and crumbly brown sugar and oat topping, are seriously textured, rich, and altogether wonderful- just the kind of treat you want to make this time of year. They were such a knock-out in my kitchen, I’m sure you’re going to love them too. Let me tell you how to make them.

Apple Crumb Bars by Wood and Spoon Blog. These layered apple pie bars are the perfect fall dessert. A buttery shortbread crust, simple apple pie filling, and oat crumble topping make these a delicious and textured treat for autumn desserts. Try these around the holidays for group gathering potlucks or simple dinners. The recipe is on thewoodandspoon.com

Make the Recipe:

To make these apple crumb bars, we start with the shortbread crust. Butter, sugar, and just enough flour come together to make a crumbly, doughy mixture that gets pat into an 8″ square pan. The crust gets baked briefly while we prep the filling. Here, sliced baking apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon add moisture, tang, and just enough spice, while the oat crumble adds texture and richness. Both get spread onto the semi-baked shortbread before being popped back into the oven for a second bake. Once the topping is golden brown, the bars are done and ready to cool.

Apple Crumb Bars by Wood and Spoon Blog. These layered apple pie bars are the perfect fall dessert. A buttery shortbread crust, simple apple pie filling, and oat crumble topping make these a delicious and textured treat for autumn desserts. Try these around the holidays for group gathering potlucks or simple dinners. The recipe is on thewoodandspoon.com

These apple crumb bars make for an excellent sharing dessert and can even be made ahead and frozen! Just be sure to pop them back in the oven to crisp up the crumble and crust again. Give them a try and let me know what you think. If you happen to find yourself in a baking rut, these apple crumb bars are the simple and rewarding dish you need in your life. Happy Baking!

If you like these apple crumb bars you should try:

Apple Crumb Cake
Apple Crisp Ice Cream
Caramel Apple Pie
Apple Crisp Cheesecake
Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Apple Crumb Bars by Wood and Spoon Blog. These layered apple pie bars are the perfect fall dessert. A buttery shortbread crust, simple apple pie filling, and oat crumble topping make these a delicious and textured treat for autumn desserts. Try these around the holidays for group gathering potlucks or simple dinners. The recipe is on thewoodandspoon.com
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Apple Crumb Bars

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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

With a buttery shortbread crust and a brown sugar oat crumble, these apple crumb bars are the layered fall treat you’ve been waiting for!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 45
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 16
  • Category: Dessert

Ingredients

For the shortbread crust:

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the filling:

  • 4 cups of peeled, cored, and sliced baking apples (I used granny smith)
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

For the topping:

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

To prepare the crust:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line an 8 “square baking pan with foil. Lightly grease with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Begin by preparing the crust. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Add the flour and salt and stir just until combined to crumbs. Gently press the mixture down flat into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. In the meantime, begin making the filling.

To prepare the bars:

  1. Toss all of the filling ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside. In a separate bowl, toss all the flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt together. Stir in the butter to form a clumpy mixture and set aside. When the shortbread crust has finished baking, remove from oven and evenly layer in the apple filling. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples and bake an additional 35 minutes, or until the topping is turning golden brown. Allow to cool completely prior to cutting into 16 squares.

Notes

  • These apple crumb bars make for an excellent sharing dessert and can even be made ahead and frozen! Just be sure to pop them back in the oven to crisp up the crumble and crust again. 

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Pear Almond Cake

5 Comments / Cakes
Pear Almond Cake by Wood and Spoon blog by Kate Wood. This is a simple pound cake bundt cake with a streusel crumb topping that is loaded with fresh sweetened pear fruit and almond flavor. The coffee cake makes a great breakfast or dessert treat or snack for your holiday winter tables. Learn more about the recipe and how to prep this simple cake that can be garnished with pomegranate seeds on thewoodandspoon.com

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, I’m going full-on Christmas mode. Granted, my house has been decorated for two weeks, we’ve already made a gingerbread house, and the Jonas Brothers’ Christmas single has been played like 342 times, but still. Our last Christmas was hectic and abrupt because of our move, and I’ve been determined to make the biggest deal out of it this year (#momlife). To get things going in a festive direction, I’m sharing this pear almond cake today! Let’s talk all about it.

Pear Almond Cake by Wood and Spoon blog by Kate Wood. This is a simple pound cake bundt cake with a streusel crumb topping that is loaded with fresh sweetened pear fruit and almond flavor. The coffee cake makes a great breakfast or dessert treat or snack for your holiday winter tables. Learn more about the recipe and how to prep this simple cake that can be garnished with pomegranate seeds on thewoodandspoon.com

This is a one-bowl butter and sour cream-based bundt cake loaded with chopped pears and a sweet streusel and glaze. Cakes like this always read coffee cake to me, which basically makes it an appropriate choice for breakfast, brunch, snack, or dessert. Is there anything better than a green light for dessert all day long? NOPE. To make it, simply cream butter and sugar in a large bowl before adding eggs and extract. The dry ingredients come next and alternate in with sour cream. Finally, the chopped pears are folded in and the cake is ready to be topped with streusel.

Pear Almond Cake by Wood and Spoon blog by Kate Wood. This is a simple pound cake bundt cake with a streusel crumb topping that is loaded with fresh sweetened pear fruit and almond flavor. The coffee cake makes a great breakfast or dessert treat or snack for your holiday winter tables. Learn more about the recipe and how to prep this simple cake that can be garnished with pomegranate seeds on thewoodandspoon.com

This pear almond cake is seriously dense and hearty. The pears help to offset sweetness and add a ton of moisture. The end product is a cake that is super fruit-foward and great for munching on all day long. I’m sharing today’s recipe over on Stemilt’s blog! Stemilt is is a leading Washington state grower, packer, and shipper of fruit including apples, pears, cherries, and more. Each quarter, I’ve been developing recipes for their blog using their best in-season fruits. This month, I got my hands on their Anjou Pears and thought a sweet and simple pear almond cake would make for a delicious treat to enjoy all season long. Head to their site at the link below to read all about it and give the recipe a try! I can’t wait to hear what you think. Have a great week and tune in later this week for a second (!!!) recipe!

Pear Almond Cake by Wood and Spoon blog by Kate Wood. This is a simple pound cake bundt cake with a streusel crumb topping that is loaded with fresh sweetened pear fruit and almond flavor. The coffee cake makes a great breakfast or dessert treat or snack for your holiday winter tables. Learn more about the recipe and how to prep this simple cake that can be garnished with pomegranate seeds on thewoodandspoon.comPear Almond Cake by Wood and Spoon blog by Kate Wood. This is a simple pound cake bundt cake with a streusel crumb topping that is loaded with fresh sweetened pear fruit and almond flavor. The coffee cake makes a great breakfast or dessert treat or snack for your holiday winter tables. Learn more about the recipe and how to prep this simple cake that can be garnished with pomegranate seeds on thewoodandspoon.com

Click here for the pear almond cake recipe!

If you like this pear almond cake you should try:

Brown Butter Pear Tart

Poached Pear Trifles

Coffee Cake Muffins

Honey Cake with Figs and Whipped Cream Cheese

Apple Crumb Cake

Blueberry Sour Cream Pie

40 Comments / Pies and Tarts
Blueberry Sour Cream Pie. This is a walnut pie crust made with a sweet sour cream filling and fresh cinnamon scented blueberries. The crumb topping adds flavor and texture as well as extra walnuts! Use a ready made crust and this simple pie has less than 10 ingredients and 10 minutes prep time. Find this simple summer recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

There’s a few things in life that just work together. Peanut butter and jelly. Jeans and a white tee. Me and any one of the Jonas Brothers. It just works, you know? Today I’m sharing a recipe with one such combo, a pair so fitting and delicious that I’m calling it one of my favorite surprises of the summer: blueberries and sour cream. This blueberry sour cream pie is all kinds of just right, and after I give you the lowdown I think you’ll agree.

Blueberry Sour Cream Pie. This is a walnut pie crust made with a sweet sour cream filling and fresh cinnamon scented blueberries. The crumb topping adds flavor and texture as well as extra walnuts! Use a ready made crust and this simple pie has less than 10 ingredients and 10 minutes prep time. Find this simple summer recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

Blueberry Sour Cream Pie

If you’re anything like me, the sound of a blueberry sour cream pie is kinda weird at first. After all, isn’t sour cream reserved for baked potatoes? For cheesy French onion dip? Nasty tuna casseroles? NOPE. Sour cream does amazing, miraculous things to baked goods when given a little love (and sugar). Here, the sour cream serves as the base for a custard-y filling that is sweetened with sugar and loads of fresh berries. The end result is a cheesecake-like filling with just the right amount of sweet and tang.

Blueberry Sour Cream Pie. This is a walnut pie crust made with a sweet sour cream filling and fresh cinnamon scented blueberries. The crumb topping adds flavor and texture as well as extra walnuts! Use a ready made crust and this simple pie has less than 10 ingredients and 10 minutes prep time. Find this simple summer recipe on thewoodandspoon.comBlueberry Sour Cream Pie. This is a walnut pie crust made with a sweet sour cream filling and fresh cinnamon scented blueberries. The crumb topping adds flavor and texture as well as extra walnuts! Use a ready made crust and this simple pie has less than 10 ingredients and 10 minutes prep time. Find this simple summer recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

The anchor for this blueberry sour cream pie is a walnut pie crust from my friends at Diamond. I’ve been using their nuts for years, so when they asked me to come up with a recipe using their new ready-made pie crusts I jumped at the chance. I was recently introduced to sour cream pies, and I knew Diamond’s Walnut Pie Crust was the perfect vehicle for that dreamy filling. The crust has great texture, baked up wonderfully, and kept my prep time for this pie under ten minutes.

Blueberry Sour Cream Pie. This is a walnut pie crust made with a sweet sour cream filling and fresh cinnamon scented blueberries. The crumb topping adds flavor and texture as well as extra walnuts! Use a ready made crust and this simple pie has less than 10 ingredients and 10 minutes prep time. Find this simple summer recipe on thewoodandspoon.comBlueberry Sour Cream Pie. This is a walnut pie crust made with a sweet sour cream filling and fresh cinnamon scented blueberries. The crumb topping adds flavor and texture as well as extra walnuts! Use a ready made crust and this simple pie has less than 10 ingredients and 10 minutes prep time. Find this simple summer recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

Finishing the Pie

After a quick stint in the oven, this blueberry sour cream pie is topped with a simple walnut crumble and baked for a few minutes longer until it barely jiggles in the center. Upon cooling, the pie has strata-like layers of crust, custard, berries, and crumble, plus it slices like a dream. I started to serve this pie with a little bit of whipped cream, but honestly, it needs no garnish. The simplicity of a great pie crust, cream filling, and fresh summer produce is about all we need.

Blueberry Sour Cream Pie. This is a walnut pie crust made with a sweet sour cream filling and fresh cinnamon scented blueberries. The crumb topping adds flavor and texture as well as extra walnuts! Use a ready made crust and this simple pie has less than 10 ingredients and 10 minutes prep time. Find this simple summer recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

I hope you’ll give this blueberry sour cream pie a try and let me know what you think! It’s an easy peasy recipe to round out these summer months, and I think you’ll love it. At the very least, pick up a Diamond Nut Pie Crust for whatever you happen to be cooking up this summer. They’re fab and would make a great shortcut for all your favorite summer pies. I’m going to leave the links below to some pie fillings that would taste great in these crusts, so give it a look and let me know what you think! Happy baking, y’all!

Blueberry Sour Cream Pie. This is a walnut pie crust made with a sweet sour cream filling and fresh cinnamon scented blueberries. The crumb topping adds flavor and texture as well as extra walnuts! Use a ready made crust and this simple pie has less than 10 ingredients and 10 minutes prep time. Find this simple summer recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

If you like this blueberry sour cream pie you should try one of these:

Strawberry Pretzel Tart

Berry Almond Streusel Pie

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tarts

Pumpkin Pecan Tart with Maple Whipped Cream

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Blueberry Sour Cream Pie

Blueberry Sour Cream Pie. This is a walnut pie crust made with a sweet sour cream filling and fresh cinnamon scented blueberries. The crumb topping adds flavor and texture as well as extra walnuts! Use a ready made crust and this simple pie has less than 10 ingredients and 10 minutes prep time. Find this simple summer recipe on thewoodandspoon.com
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★★★★★

4.8 from 6 reviews

This blueberry sour cream pie has a walnut pie crust, a sour cream custard filling, and is topped with sugared blueberries and a quick crumb topping!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 40
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 9 Servings
  • Category: Pie

Ingredients

For the pie:

  • 1 Diamond Walnut Pie Crust
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1–1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups blueberries

For the crumb topping:

  • ¼ cup flour
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the pie crust on a sheet pan. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combined the sour cream, milk, egg, egg yolk, sugar, flour, vanilla, lemon zest, and salt. Beat on medium speed for 4 minutes. Pour the blueberries into the prepared crust and pour the batter over top of them. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the top of the pie feels kind of set but is still a little jiggly in the center. In the meantime, prepare the crumb by combining the flour, sugar, and butter with the back of a fork. Toss in the walnuts and set aside. Once the top of the pie feels kinda set, remove the pie from the oven and sprinkle on the crumb topping. Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the crumb is golden and the pie is completely set. Allow to cool prior to serving!

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Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars

7 Comments / Cookies and Bars
Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars by Wood and Spoon blog are simple, make ahead jam filled bars made from spring fruit. The tart rhubarb makes a quick preserve with strawberries for a gooey centered oatmeal cookie bar. You can use fresh or frozen fruit for the jam and add additional fruit to make extra thick and fruity bars. Check out the recipe and how-to on thewoodandspoon.com

Truth be told, I was going to save this recipe for a rainy day. Yes, we’re finally into rhubarb season and strawberries are just around the corner, but these gooey strawberry rhubarb crumb bars were supposed to be on hold. Instead, I decided to go ahead and share it right away, because some things are just too good to keep to yourself, ya know?

I have this really bad habit of saving things “for a special occasion.” I love a celebration more than the average bear, and it’s not unusual for me to find myself romanticizing an event with grandiose plans, elaborate treats, or just about anything else that qualifies as extra. It’s not that I want to be over-the-top or too planned out, I just like to save my best for the right moment.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars by Wood and Spoon blog are simple, make ahead jam filled bars made from spring fruit. The tart rhubarb makes a quick preserve with strawberries for a gooey centered oatmeal cookie bar. You can use fresh or frozen fruit for the jam and add additional fruit to make extra thick and fruity bars. Check out the recipe and how-to on thewoodandspoon.com

An Example:

When Brett and I first got married, I bought this expensive bottle of sake. In my mind, I’d save it for a special dinner when I made homemade sushi or some other type of Asian cuisine and I’d be the cute put-together wife that had just the right beverage for the occasion. Over the next several months, I made Asian food more times than I could count but I never cracked open the bottle because it never felt special enough. Finally, when we moved last December, I found the old bottle all dusty in the back of our cabinet. It was well overdue and no longer good, and I remember being so disappointed that I let that treat go to waste.

I do the same thing with clothes and shoes and those expensive face masks and creams I buy at the store. Always certain that there’s a special occasion worthy of them, I hold off from opening, using, or wearing those items, and before long they’ve been forgotten. Now they don’t fit or they’ve expired or they’re simply out of style. Instead of relishing those treats or sharing them when I had the opportunity, I let them go to waste.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars by Wood and Spoon blog are simple, make ahead jam filled bars made from spring fruit. The tart rhubarb makes a quick preserve with strawberries for a gooey centered oatmeal cookie bar. You can use fresh or frozen fruit for the jam and add additional fruit to make extra thick and fruity bars. Check out the recipe and how-to on thewoodandspoon.com

Rationing Our Blessings

Why do we ration the good things in our life? For so long, I’ve resisted the urge to appreciate and indulge in the gifts I have because the moment doesn’t feel worthy of them. Instead of preserving those things for the right time, I end up wasting them. I think (and hang with me for a minute, because this is going to be a stretch) that we do the same thing with our own personal gifts. Not the tangible items like a pair of earrings or a fancy sofa or a block of imported cheese, but the gifts inside of us. Our talents, our desires, and our dreams.

So often, we stifle a vision, we refrain from sharing a kind word with someone, or we hold off on pursuing something we desire because we’re unsure the time is right. What does this waiting accomplish? When we fail to tap into something that we love or that has been gifted to us, we are rarely saving it for a rainy day. Usually we’re putting that idea on the shelf to become dusty and forgotten.

Forgotten Ambitions

I have some dreams that have been sitting on a shelf for a while. Sometimes I’ll pick them up and consider the possibilities for a moment, but then I usually just toss it back on the shelf with the notion that I’ll think about it when the time is right. But what if that time is right? What if I’ve been allowing fear to bench my gifts and purposes when that perfect moment was just a little effort away? If we wait for one of life’s dramatic curtain calls instead of taking captive those unremarkable moments that make up our days, will we find ourselves waiting for an opportunity that never comes? I’m beginning to think so.

So the purpose of spewing all this rambling your way is this: don’t hide your gift. Share your dreams and talents and ideas with anyone who will listen. Don’t wait forever on an open door when you might have the key to a few closed ones right in front of you. We cheat ourselves and the world when we tuck our gifts out of sight, so hold yours out with open hands and be willing to share them.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars by Wood and Spoon blog are simple, make ahead jam filled bars made from spring fruit. The tart rhubarb makes a quick preserve with strawberries for a gooey centered oatmeal cookie bar. You can use fresh or frozen fruit for the jam and add additional fruit to make extra thick and fruity bars. Check out the recipe and how-to on thewoodandspoon.com

Rhubarb Crumb Bars

Ok, all of that was probably way too serious for these strawberry rhubarb crumb bars. This little treats are simple, quick to put together, and entirely deliciou. You’re going to want to share them with everyone. Scout’s honor.

I’m sharing today’s recipe in partnership with my friends at Diamond Nuts. On top of all those layers of brown sugar, oats, butter, and fruit jam are savory toasted pecans. They really round out the flavor perfectly on these strawberry rhubarb crumb bars. I’ve come to appreciate a small sprinkle of Diamond Nuts on just about everything I make these days; here, in these bars, the pecans add just the right amount of toasty crunch to complete these otherwise soft and gooey bars. If you are in need of a go-to nut brand, Diamond is definitely your best bet.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars by Wood and Spoon blog are simple, make ahead jam filled bars made from spring fruit. The tart rhubarb makes a quick preserve with strawberries for a gooey centered oatmeal cookie bar. You can use fresh or frozen fruit for the jam and add additional fruit to make extra thick and fruity bars. Check out the recipe and how-to on thewoodandspoon.com

Making the Bars

To make these strawberry rhubarb crumb bars, we first have to throw together the quick jam. I used fresh rhubarb and frozen strawberries, but you can use whatever you have on hand. With just a little sugar and water, the fruit cooks down into a thin jam. You can use it for these treats, on toast, or even as a filling for the cake I’m sharing soon. This jam can also be canned, but we won’t go into all of that today.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars by Wood and Spoon blog are simple, make ahead jam filled bars made from spring fruit. The tart rhubarb makes a quick preserve with strawberries for a gooey centered oatmeal cookie bar. You can use fresh or frozen fruit for the jam and add additional fruit to make extra thick and fruity bars. Check out the recipe and how-to on thewoodandspoon.com

The next step is to make the oat mixture for the strawberry rhubarb crumb bars. Flour, brown sugar, oats, and butter come together into a clumpy delicious mixture. Pack 2/3 of the mixture into a prepared 8″ pan and bake until just barely set. Spread a little of the cooled jam on top and sprinkle the remaining crumbs and pecans on next. If you want a super fruity and gooey bar you can throw a little extra strawberries in there too. The fruit will weep and juice all over the place making it more akin to a pie bar; if you’re into that, go for it! For a thinner layer of fruit just stick with the jam. Both are phenomenal, if you ask me.

A Few Notes:

The bonus of these strawberry rhubarb crumb bars is that they serve a crowd and freeze like a dream. If you’re not into making homemade jam, feel free to use your favorite store-bought option instead. I personally was ecstatic to find yet another use for that spring rhubarb that I’ve come to covet, so if you happen to see some in your stores, grab it and make these ASAP. They’re fab.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars by Wood and Spoon blog are simple, make ahead jam filled bars made from spring fruit. The tart rhubarb makes a quick preserve with strawberries for a gooey centered oatmeal cookie bar. You can use fresh or frozen fruit for the jam and add additional fruit to make extra thick and fruity bars. Check out the recipe and how-to on thewoodandspoon.com

Thanks for listening to me ramble on today, and I hope you love the strawberry rhubarb crumb bars! Many thanks to the kind humans at Diamond Nuts for giving me the opportunity to share this go-to recipe with you all today. Pick up some of their pecans next time you’re at the store and just tell me you don’t taste the difference. I bet you will. Happy baking y’all!

If you like these strawberry rhubarb crumb bars you should check out:

Blueberry Lemon Bars

Raspberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake

Lemon Berry Crumb Cake

Berry Rhubarb Tart

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

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Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars by Wood and Spoon blog are simple, make ahead jam filled bars made from spring fruit. The tart rhubarb makes a quick preserve with strawberries for a gooey centered oatmeal cookie bar. You can use fresh or frozen fruit for the jam and add additional fruit to make extra thick and fruity bars. Check out the recipe and how-to on thewoodandspoon.com
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★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

These strawberry rhubarb crumb bars are buttery, pecan-topped bars with a fruity center and oatmeal crust. Perfect for sharing!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 35
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 16
  • Category: Dessert

Ingredients

For the bars:

  • 1–1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1–1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (170 gm) unsalted butter, melted
  • ¾–1 cup (see notes) strawberry rhubarb jam
  • ½ cup chopped berries (optional)
  • ½ cup pecans, chopped

For the strawberry rhubarb jam:

  • ¾ pound rhubarb, chopped
  • ¾ pound strawberries, hulled
  • ¾ cup (150 gm) sugar
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

To prepare the bars:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line an 8” pan with a sheet of greased foil. Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the butter until the mixture is consistent. Pack 2/3 (about 2 cups) of the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
  2. When finished, spread the jam on top of the cooled crust. If you’re opting to not add fresh fruit, use 1 cup of jam. If you’d like to add fresh fruit, use just ¾ cup. Top with fresh fruit, if desired. Mix the pecans into the remaining crumb layer and then sprinkle on top of the jam and/or fruit. Bake in the preheated oven for an additional 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden. Allow to cool completely before removing from pan and cutting. You can speed up this process in the fridge.

To prepare the rhubarb jam:

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a medium-sized pot over low heat. Stir to combine and continue stirring regularly until all of the sugar has dissolved. You can test this by carefully rubbing a little bit of the liquid in the pot between two fingers- it should feel smooth.
  2. Continue to cook over low heat, stirring regularly until the mixture comes to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the rhubarb and berries have broken down and the mixture is approximately applesauce consistency. Remove from heat and place in a heat-proof bowl to cool in the fridge. This jam will keep in the fridge for approximately 2-3 weeks.

Notes

  • For gooier juicier bars, opt to add fresh fruit on top of the jam! These will still slice well but are a bit messier. For bars that set well, opt for no fruit. If your fruit isn’t super ripe you can sprinkle a tablespoon of sugar on top too.

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Banana Crumb Cake

11 Comments / Breakfast, Cakes
Small batch banana crumb cake recipe for a few on the wood and spoon blog by Kate wood. this is a petite crumb cake like banana bread with brown sugar and butter streusel topping and icing drizzle. The cake is moist and perfect for breakfast or dessert. This cake is a great way to use old brown bananas. Make to share with friends too! Recipe for this mini treat is on thewoodandspoon.com

I really wanted this to be a Lady and the Tramp moment. This was supposed to be a petite, small batch banana crumb cake, perfect for a pair of forks and two starry-eyed lovers. Although my initial intentions for this cake were not fully realized, we still wound up with a seriously good treat that you’ll want for breakfast, dessert, and every snack in between. I’m going to call it a win.

Every once in a while, when a marriage rut leaves Brett and I more enchanted with “just one more” episode of Chicago PD than each other, I start trying to think of little things or activities to make our time together a little more special. Sometimes it’s a lowball filled with a bourbon old fashioned waiting for him when he gets home. Sometimes I’ll hire a babysitter for a night out, or we’ll opt to play cards instead of zoning in on our phones. If all of that fails, I usually just nag and sulk until it escalates to WWIII, although I’m finding this tactic hasn’t yielded the desired results so far. There’s lots of ways and opportunities to connect, but if we’re being totally honest here, sometimes it’s easier just to stay in the rut and pretend it doesn’t exist. I know you know what I’m talking about.

Small batch banana crumb cake recipe for a few on the wood and spoon blog by Kate wood. this is a petite crumb cake like banana bread with brown sugar and butter streusel topping and icing drizzle. The cake is moist and perfect for breakfast or dessert. This cake is a great way to use old brown bananas. Make to share with friends too! Recipe for this mini treat is on thewoodandspoon.com

Banana Crumb Cake

So this banana crumb cake was my attempt of hightailing out of a marital ditch. I liked the idea of producing a bitty treat that you guys (read: I) could make for a special someone and nibble on together with fluffy forkfuls straight from the pan. I envisioned something akin to a scene from a 1950’s black and white show where the wife casually pulls a cake from the oven and the husband, proud and salivating at the site of his super sexy and talented wife the piping hot baked good, tosses his briefcase and trench coat on the floor to embrace her for a kiss. Let’s just LOL at my delusion, shall we?

Small batch banana crumb cake recipe for a few on the wood and spoon blog by Kate wood. this is a petite crumb cake like banana bread with brown sugar and butter streusel topping and icing drizzle. The cake is moist and perfect for breakfast or dessert. This cake is a great way to use old brown bananas. Make to share with friends too! Recipe for this mini treat is on thewoodandspoon.com

My cake turned out giant. This big, honking loaf-like treasure was large enough to feed a small army- not exactly the cutesy treat I envisioned. Then the crumble on top ended up being so delectable, so sweet and salty delicious, that my hungry, pregnant self had nibbled most of it away before Brett even got home. Of course when I finally did offer him a slice, he took a skeptical glance at it and said he would eat Oreos instead.

Small batch banana crumb cake recipe for a few on the wood and spoon blog by Kate wood. this is a petite crumb cake like banana bread with brown sugar and butter streusel topping and icing drizzle. The cake is moist and perfect for breakfast or dessert. This cake is a great way to use old brown bananas. Make to share with friends too! Recipe for this mini treat is on thewoodandspoon.com

Whatever. My banana crumb cake wasn’t the romantic gesture I had hoped it would be, but it was freaking delicious, so I’m sharing it here anyways. This small batch(ish) treat is the perfect way to use those dingy looking bananas on your counter while simultaneously baking up something you won’t be able to resist. It’s moist, tender-crumbed, and incredibly flavorful, just the type of sweet nibble that will push your wedded woes to the back-burner of your brain. Bonus: if your husband is anything like mine, he’ll be more interested in the Oreos, so you’ll get more cake for yourself. #winnning

Small batch banana crumb cake recipe for a few on the wood and spoon blog by Kate wood. this is a petite crumb cake like banana bread with brown sugar and butter streusel topping and icing drizzle. The cake is moist and perfect for breakfast or dessert. This cake is a great way to use old brown bananas. Make to share with friends too! Recipe for this mini treat is on thewoodandspoon.com

Making the Crumb Cake

This banana crumb cake is super simple to make. First, we start with the crumble. This is a brown butter and brown sugar streusel that comes together quickly in a small bowl. If you need a little extra help on browning butter, you can check out my tutorial post here. Throw the crumble into the fridge while you preheat the oven and whip up the batter. Butter, sugar, banana, and eggs are stirred together with milk and the dry ingredients. We dump all of that mixture into a small pan and crumble the streusel on top. SIMPLE. The cake bakes in the oven until golden, puffed, and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. The vanilla bean glaze on top is totally optional. If we’re being honest, that was my attempt at sexi-fying an otherwise simple looking cake, but we all know how that worked out for me.

Small batch banana crumb cake recipe for a few on the wood and spoon blog by Kate wood. this is a petite crumb cake like banana bread with brown sugar and butter streusel topping and icing drizzle. The cake is moist and perfect for breakfast or dessert. This cake is a great way to use old brown bananas. Make to share with friends too! Recipe for this mini treat is on thewoodandspoon.com

If you have a special someone to cook for, or even just a few forgotten bananas, you should give this banana crumb cake a shot. It’s humble in appearance but totally fab in taste. Give it a try and let me know what you think! I’m coming in hot later this week with another banana recipe, so hold onto your hats, folks. It’s going to be a delicious week. Happy Monday and Happy Baking!

Small batch banana crumb cake recipe for a few on the wood and spoon blog by Kate wood. this is a petite crumb cake like banana bread with brown sugar and butter streusel topping and icing drizzle. The cake is moist and perfect for breakfast or dessert. This cake is a great way to use old brown bananas. Make to share with friends too! Recipe for this mini treat is on thewoodandspoon.com

If you like this banana crumb cake you should try:

Raspberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake

Lemon Berry Crumb Cake

Brown Sugar Pound Cake with Blueberries and Brown Butter Crumble 

Peach Crumb Muffins

Apple Crumb Cake

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Banana Crumb Cake

Small batch banana crumb cake recipe for a few on the wood and spoon blog by Kate wood. this is a petite crumb cake like banana bread with brown sugar and butter streusel topping and icing drizzle. The cake is moist and perfect for breakfast or dessert. This cake is a great way to use old brown bananas. Make to share with friends too! Recipe for this mini treat is on thewoodandspoon.com
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★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

This banana crumb cake is a rich brown butter and brown sugar flavored cake with a sweet and salty streusel and a vanilla bean glaze.

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 40
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 10
  • Category: Cake

Ingredients

For the crumble:

  • ¼ cup (55 gm) unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup (65 gm) brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons (155 gm) all-purpose flour

For the cake:

  • ¼ cup (55 gm) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup (50 gm) sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 gm) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup (60 gm) buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup (230 gm) mashed bananas
  • 1 cup (140 gm) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • For the drizzle:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

To prepare the crumble:

  1. Dice the butter and place in a small saucepan over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt and, stirring all the while, brown the butter. You’ll remove the butter from the heat when you notice it becomes nutty in fragrance and auburn-colored flecks appear at the bottom of the pan. Don’t let the butter burn and see notes for more on this. Pour the butter into a bowl and add the brown sugar, salt, vanilla and cinnamon. Stir in the flour until large crumbles appear and then place in the fridge to chill while you prepare the cake.

To prepare the cake:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar for one minute. Scrape the sides of the bowl and then beat in the egg until pale, about 2 minutes. Add the buttermilk, vanilla, and bananas and stir just to combine. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt, and stir on low just until combined. Grease a small baking dish (I use an 8”x4” pan but you can substitute whatever you have) and spread in the batter. Use your fingers to crumble the brown butter topping evenly over top of the batter. Bake in the preheated oven until the cake has fluffed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30-35 minutes depending on your pan. Allow to cool and then drizzle with the topping if desired. To prepare the topping, combine the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Add a smidge more milk if the mixture is too thick. Drizzle over top of the cooled cake.

Notes

  • For more on browning butter, check out the link to my tutorial in the post above.
  • Note that if you use a glass or ceramic dish baking time will differ. Always trust the toothpick test to determine if the cake is done.

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Lemon Berry Crumb Cake

14 Comments / Cakes
Lemon Berry Crumb Cake recipe by Wood and Spoon blog by Kate Wood. This is a simple lemon zest flavored spring time single layer cake filled with a tart raspberry jam and topped with a simple shortbread crumble. The cake bakes up into an easy dessert that can also serve as a breakfast of brunch item. Pour on a thick powdered sugar lemon glaze for extra decoration. Find the recipe for this Easter favorite on thewoodandspoon.com

It’s here! Friday has come like a beacon in the night, so please don’t mind me while I celebrate with a victory dance and a jumbo slice of this lemon berry crumb cake. I’ve got your weekend roundup set out for you, including what to read, what to watch, and what to make for all of your Easter celebrations. Let’s get started! 
Lemon Berry Crumb Cake recipe by Wood and Spoon blog by Kate Wood. This is a simple lemon zest flavored spring time single layer cake filled with a tart raspberry jam and topped with a simple shortbread crumble. The cake bakes up into an easy dessert that can also serve as a breakfast of brunch item. Pour on a thick powdered sugar lemon glaze for extra decoration. Find the recipe for this Easter favorite on thewoodandspoon.com

Yeast-Free Cinnamon Rolls

This article from Food52 is blowing my mind. Cinnamon rolls without the wait? Without the rise? Sign me up! Read the article here about how a simple dough leavened with baking powder can make all of your cinnamon roll dreams come true.

How to Make a Living as a Food Blogger

I’ve had a million and one of you ask me how running a food blog has the potential to earn money. While I’m hardly rolling in “The Benjamins” (Mom, that’s slang for money, hundred dollar bills, okay?), I still pinch myself on the daily that people write me checks for doing something that I love. This article from Food & Wine is informative, straight-forward, and provides pointers for people who may be considering this path for themselves.

Bïeryoncé

Did you hear that someone named a beer after Beyonce? It’s a German pilsner from Lineup Brewery called Bïeryoncé, and I have to admit that I’m a little jealous. All I need is to join a chart-topping hip-hop group, start an even bigger solo career, marry a rap mogul, and accumulate a near-billion dollar net worth… maybe then I’ll have enough bad-assery under my belt to have a beer named after me. After looking into purchasing some for myself, I found out that Queen B’s lawyers served the brewery a cease and desist letter, so the brew has been laid to rest. RIP, Bïeryoncé.

Spring and Summer Bags

I may be late to the straw bag bandwagon, but now that I’m on it I’m never getting off. I recently purchased the ultra-trendy round woven bag for my upcoming warm-weather travels, and I cannot wait to start toting. Get in the trend with a bag of your own! I love the options here.

Hamilton and Carpool Karaoke

Okay, this is an old video, but my love for Hamilton is so strong right now that I thought you may want to enjoy this video too. James Corden is my Night-Talkshow-Host in Shining Armor, and this video makes me love him even more. Hamilton has just started their US tour, so be sure to check here for upcoming dates near you. Brett, if you’re reading this, remember that Mother’s Day is just around the corner and I gave you two very incredible children, okay?

Easter Baking

There’s a million and one things you should make for this weekend’s most special holiday. For a layer cake option, check out my robin egg speckled cake tutorial. If you’re interested in a bundt cake, maybe try my carrot cake with brown butter glaze or lemon almond poppyseed bundt cake. But if you prefer a simple, seasonal option for Sunday’s affair, let me introduce you to this lemon berry crumb cake. It’s fresh, entirely delicious, and perfect for sharing as a breakfast or dessert.

Lemon Berry Crumb Cake recipe by Wood and Spoon blog by Kate Wood. This is a simple lemon zest flavored spring time single layer cake filled with a tart raspberry jam and topped with a simple shortbread crumble. The cake bakes up into an easy dessert that can also serve as a breakfast of brunch item. Pour on a thick powdered sugar lemon glaze for extra decoration. Find the recipe for this Easter favorite on thewoodandspoon.com

Here’s the breakdown: This lemon berry crumb cake is a moist and tender butter cake filled with a tart berry jam. The whole thing gets baked under a mountain of lemony shortbread-style crumbs that add a bit of salty crunch to the otherwise sweet cake. The result is an impressive single layer cake that will make all of your spring brunch dreams come true.

Lemon Berry Crumb Cake recipe by Wood and Spoon blog by Kate Wood. This is a simple lemon zest flavored spring time single layer cake filled with a tart raspberry jam and topped with a simple shortbread crumble. The cake bakes up into an easy dessert that can also serve as a breakfast of brunch item. Pour on a thick powdered sugar lemon glaze for extra decoration. Find the recipe for this Easter favorite on thewoodandspoon.comLemon Berry Crumb Cake recipe by Wood and Spoon blog by Kate Wood. This is a simple lemon zest flavored spring time single layer cake filled with a tart raspberry jam and topped with a simple shortbread crumble. The cake bakes up into an easy dessert that can also serve as a breakfast of brunch item. Pour on a thick powdered sugar lemon glaze for extra decoration. Find the recipe for this Easter favorite on thewoodandspoon.com

Making the Cake

To make the lemon berry crumb cake, we start with the batter. Butter and sugar cream together, followed by the addition of eggs, vanilla, and lemon zest. The dry ingredients stir in to make a somewhat thick and spreadable batter. About 2/3 of the mixture smooths into the bottom of a 9″ springform pan and tops with a smear of your favorite jam. The cake is sweet, so I recommend a tart jam to offset that sugar. The remaining batter spreads on top of the jam and a basic crumble goes on top.

Lemon Berry Crumb Cake recipe by Wood and Spoon blog by Kate Wood. This is a simple lemon zest flavored spring time single layer cake filled with a tart raspberry jam and topped with a simple shortbread crumble. The cake bakes up into an easy dessert that can also serve as a breakfast of brunch item. Pour on a thick powdered sugar lemon glaze for extra decoration. Find the recipe for this Easter favorite on thewoodandspoon.com

Fresh from the oven, this lemon berry crumb cake is fab all on its own, however I want more.  Top it with a simple drizzle made from powdered sugar, lemon juice, and sour cream. You can pass on the glaze, but I think it fancies it up a bit, don’t you?

Lemon Berry Crumb Cake recipe by Wood and Spoon blog by Kate Wood. This is a simple lemon zest flavored spring time single layer cake filled with a tart raspberry jam and topped with a simple shortbread crumble. The cake bakes up into an easy dessert that can also serve as a breakfast of brunch item. Pour on a thick powdered sugar lemon glaze for extra decoration. Find the recipe for this Easter favorite on thewoodandspoon.com

I hope your Easter weekends are filled with lots of jelly beans and lemon berry crumb cake. The miracle of this holiday bowls me over every year, and I’m looking forward to gathering hope in that. Happy Friday and happy baking!

If you like this lemon berry crumb cake, you should check out:

Blueberry Lemon Bars

Lemon Almond Tart

Blueberry Galette

Strawberry Almond Skillet Cake

Raspberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake

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Lemon Berry Crumb Cake

Lemon Berry Crumb Cake recipe by Wood and Spoon blog by Kate Wood. This is a simple lemon zest flavored spring time single layer cake filled with a tart raspberry jam and topped with a simple shortbread crumble. The cake bakes up into an easy dessert that can also serve as a breakfast of brunch item. Pour on a thick powdered sugar lemon glaze for extra decoration. Find the recipe for this Easter favorite on thewoodandspoon.com
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★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

This lemon berry crumb cake is a sweet single layer cake filled with a tart raspberry jam and topped with a crunchy shortbread crumble. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 35
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 9

Ingredients

For the crumb:

  • ¼ cup (55 gm) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons (115 gm) all-purpose flour

For the cake:

  • ½ cup (113 gm) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ¾ cup (150 gm) sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1–1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2–1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 1–1/2 cups (195 gm) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (100 gm) full-fat buttermilk
  • ½ cup blackberry, raspberry, or blueberry preserves, according to your preferences

For the glaze (optional):

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon sour cream (buttermilk can be substituted in a pinch)
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

To prepare the crumble:

  1. In a small bowl, stir together the butter and lemon juice. Add the sugar and salt, stirring to combine. Fold in the flour until large clumps form. Place in the fridge to chill while you prepare the cake.

To prepare the cake:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9” springform pan with baking spray and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, vanilla, and lemon zest and beat to combine. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add ½ cup of the flour, the baking powder, the baking soda, and the salt. Stir on low to barely combine. Stir in the buttermilk and then add the remaining flour on low speed just until integrated. Scrape the sides of the bowl and fold in any unincorporated batter.
  3. Spread about 2/3 of the batter into the bottom of the springform pan. Smooth the preserves over top pf the batter, leaving a 1” border around the perimeter of the cake. Carefully spread the remaining batter on top and sprinkle the whole thing with the crumble, breaking up the big clumps into a crumb size you prefer. Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes, or until the top is puffed and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Set aside to cool.

To prepare the glaze:

  1. When you’re ready to prepare the glaze, whisk together all the ingredients until a viscous glaze forms. Add more powdered sugar to thicken it up and more sour cream or lemon juice to thin it out. Drizzle over top of the prepared cake and enjoy!

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Chocolate Caramel Crumble Cake

22 Comments / Cakes
Chocolate Caramel Crumble Cake This is a rich, fluffy, and moist dark chocolate cake make with dutch process / special dark cocoa powder. The cake recipe is a one bowl, simple, easy, make ahead cake recipe. The cake is filled with chocolate cookie crumbles made like milk bar crumb. There is also a sweet and salty caramel in the middle and a fluffy chocolate frosting made from melted semisweet and bittersweet chocolate chips. You can make this a naked cake or frost the outside as well. Find the recipe for this celebration / birthday cake / chocolate lover best cake on thewoodandspoon.com

Chocolate Caramel Crumble CakeChocolate Caramel Crumble CakeHere in America, it’s the morning after election Tuesday, and let me just say that I’m thankful. 

I’m thankful to live in America. I’m thankful for the right to vote. I’m thankful for the freedoms and liberties that my country and its leaders have afforded me.

To be honest, though, I’m mainly thankful that my hope is not dictated by politics. My joy and peace do not stem from a winning vote. In fact, I can list a million things that I have to be thankful for right at this very moment, and not one of them has anything to do with whoever ends up living in the big house on Pennsylvania Ave. Chocolate Caramel Crumble Cake

Instead of spending our time chit-chatting about politics, let’s skip right to dessert. On days like these, we need something sweet like chocolate caramel crumble cake to remind us that it’s all good. To remind us to take life one slice at a time. So if you’re not too busy planning your retirement to Canada, let’s settle in and discuss this cake, shall we?

Chocolate cake is no stranger to me. My favorite chocolate cake is regularly in rotation around our house and I’d cast all of my votes on this beauty if I could. There are so many things you can do to a really good chocolate cake recipe to make it feel like a million bucks, but if you ask me, you can never go wrong with salty caramel and chocolate crumbles. So let’s hang out there today.
 
This chocolate caramel crumble cake is a three layer chocolate cake with drizzles of homemade salted caramel sauce and crunchy chocolate shortbread crumbs in between. I prefer to make this salted caramel sauce, and the chocolate crumble recipe was modified from my favorite shortbread crust recipe that can be found here. Once the cake has been stacked, the whole thing is coated with a sweet and silky whipped chocolate frosting that is made with a combination of cocoa powder, melted chocolate, and real bits of heaven (so you know it’s good.)
chocolate crumble cake stop motion 
I made little stop motion video of this chocolate caramel crumble cake so that you could watch the assembly yourself. This recipe makes enough frosting to coat and decorate the entire cake, but a naked cake never hurt anybody either. So if you prefer a naked cake, you can check out more photos and written instruction on how to stack one here.
If this election has you all hot and bothered for more cakes, you can find a few more cake recipes here including the pumpkin and burnt sugar cake I made a few weeks ago. You can also check out my instagram for more chocolate cake decorating inspiration- I even made this cake for my birthday a few weeks ago!
 chocolate caramel crumble cake
Happy Wednesday to all you Republicans, Democrats, and Independents out there. No matter who you voted for, this cake is for you! Cheers!

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Chocolate Caramel Crumble Cake

Chocolate Caramel Crumble Cake This is a rich, fluffy, and moist dark chocolate cake make with dutch process / special dark cocoa powder. The cake recipe is a one bowl, simple, easy, make ahead cake recipe. The cake is filled with chocolate cookie crumbles made like milk bar crumb. There is also a sweet and salty caramel in the middle and a fluffy chocolate frosting made from melted semisweet and bittersweet chocolate chips. You can make this a naked cake or frost the outside as well. Find the recipe for this celebration / birthday cake / chocolate lover best cake on thewoodandspoon.com
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★★★★★

4.3 from 4 reviews

Chocolate caramel crumble cake is a three layer chocolate cake stacked with coats of fluffy chocolate frosting, drizzles of salty caramel, and sprinkles of chocolate cookie crumbles.

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 60
  • Cook Time: 60
  • Total Time: 2 hours

Ingredients

For the chocolate cake

  • 2–1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2–1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2–1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2–1/4 teaspoons corn starch
  • 1–1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 eggs, room temperature
  • 1–1/4 cups buttermilk, room temperature
  • 3/4 cups black coffee, hot
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1–1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract

For the chocolate crumbles

  • 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon water

For the chocolate frosting

  • 2–1/4 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1–1/2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 3/4 cups cocoa powder
  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 1–1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
  • 1/2 cup prepared salted caramel sauce

Instructions

To prepare the cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 3 (8″) round cake pans with baking spray and line the bottoms with parchment rounds.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine all of the dry ingredients and stir until combined. In a separate bowl, loosely combine all of the wet ingredients and these to the bowl of the dry ingredients. Mix on medium speed for just shy of 2 minutes, scraping the bowl (and bottom of bowl!) twice throughout.
  3. Pour equal amounts of batter in to all 3 pans. Carefully place in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until center is just barely set and toothpick comes out of cake almost clean. Allow to cool in the pans and on a cooling rack for 20 minutes and then remove from pans to continue the cooling process. Allow to cool completely prior to frosting.

To prepare the crumbles

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Beat the butter and sugar on medium low speed until creamy, about 1-2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and beat on low until large crumbs begin to form. Chill the crumbs in the freezer for about 5 minutes to set the crumbs.
  3. Spread the crumbs out onto a quarter sheet pan and bake in the oven, tossing occasionally for about 15-20 minutes, or until crumbs are baked and set.

To prepare the chocolate frosting

  1. Whip butter in the bowl of a stand mixer over medium speed (I use 4 on my Kitchen Aid) for 5 minutes. Add the sugar, cocoa powder, milk, vanilla, and salt and beat for an additional 3 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the melted chocolate, beating until throughly combined for an additional 1-2 minutes. Place in the fridge if it is too soft. This is enough frosting for a 3 layer, 8″ cake.

To assemble to cake

  1. Spread a small dollop of frosting on a cake board and place one chocolate cake layer on top. Spread 3/4 cup of frosting on top, spreading it evenly to the edges of the cake. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of caramel and sprinkle with 1/3 of the crumbles. Repeat this process once to assemble the second layer.
  2. To finish the cake, set in place the final cake round. Spread 1 cup of frosting on top and decorate as desired, garnishing with the remaining caramel and crumbles.

Notes

  • Cakes can be made ahead and frozen. See my blog post for chocolate cake for more tips on cake baking.
  • Frosting can be made ahead and frozen. Bring to room temperature and re-beat prior to using.
  • Store bought caramel is fine, but see the link in my post for my favorite salted caramel recipe.
  • Chocolate crumbles can be made ahead and frozen.
  • You can half this recipe to prepare a smaller 6″ cake.
  • This cake can be frosted and decorated as a traditional cake as well. Instead of preparing it as a naked cake, you can pipe a dam of frosting on top of each layer of cake and fill with caramel and crumbles. Once the cake is stacked, coat it in a thin crumb coat and place in the fridge to set up. You can finish it by frosting and decorating as desired.

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