Date Nut Bread Crumb Cake

Crumb cake gets a clever American twist when date nut bread is pulsed into coarse, chunky crumbs. Cinnamon and brown sugar bake those fruit-studded bits into a tender, warmly spiced square dessert.

Serves 8 · 20 min prep · 35 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 310 cal
• 5g protein
• 42g carbs
• 14g fat
• 3g fiber

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Ingredients

• 4 cups cubed, lightly packed date nut bread
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar

Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving overhang on two sides for easy lifting later.
2. 2Pulse the date nut bread cubes in a food processor until you have coarse, uneven crumbs with some small chunks remaining for texture; measure out the crumbs and set aside.
3. 3In a medium bowl whisk the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
4. 4Cut the cold butter into small cubes and work it into the flour mixture with your fingertips or a pastry blender until the mixture looks like damp sand with pea-sized butter bits.
5. 5Stir three-quarters of the date nut bread crumbs into the butter-flour mixture so the cake base and streusel share the same nutty-date flavor.
6. 6In a small bowl whisk the egg, milk, and vanilla until smooth, then pour into the crumb mixture and stir just until a thick, scoopable batter forms with no dry flour pockets.
7. 7Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, then sprinkle the remaining date nut bread crumbs generously over the top and press them lightly so they adhere during baking.
8. 8Bake 32 to 38 minutes until the center springs back when gently pressed, the edges pull slightly from the pan, and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
9. 9Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes, lift out using the parchment, dust with powdered sugar, and cut into squares while still slightly warm so the crumb topping stays crunchy.