• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Homepage
  • About
    • Photography
    • Resources
    • Work With Me
      • Privacy Policy
  • Recipe Index
    • Easy Search
    • Photo Index
    • Quick
    • Weeknight
    • Bread
      • Muffins
    • Breakfast
    • Pasta
    • Dressings and Sauces
  • Dessert
    • Bars
    • Brownies
    • Cake
    • Candy
    • Cheesecake
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Doughnuts
    • Other Desserts
  • Holiday
    • Party Food
      • Appetizers
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
  • Out & About
  • Entertaining
  • DIY

Lemon Sugar

Sweets, treats & comfort food!

Breakfast

Brown Sugar Crumb Cake

​
Brown Sugar Crumb Cake - lemon-sugar.com -2041
I’m not sure that there’s anything better than waking up to the smell of this cake.  On a lazy Saturday morning, the smell of cinnamon and brown sugar heavy in the air and a pot of coffee percolating on my counter top are sure to get my family moving.  It works, every single time. We have to talk about those crumbs though – those ENORMOUS, brown-sugar and butter crumbs.  I could eat them, I have eaten them, right off the top of the cake.  My girls always eat the crumb topping first, and I can’t say that I blame them.

Brown Sugar Crumb Cake - lemon-sugar.com -2022
I recently discovered a new product at my grocery store that I just have to tell you all about.  C&H® Pourable Golden Brown Sugar has come in handy in my kitchen so many times.    It is packaged in a convenient flip-top dispenser that makes measuring out brown sugar for recipes neater, without having to pack the sugar.  It’s a pourable brown sugar, so it doesn’t clump or harden, and it has a recloseable, flip-top lid that keeps the sugar fresh.   It’s SO convenient!
Brown Sugar Crumb Cake - lemon-sugar.com -2005
We’ve even started keeping an extra canister handy, my girls love to sprinkle it over their oatmeal and fruit, and my husband puts it in his tea occasionally.  But mostly, I love that it’s easy to use in baking – it’s a cup-to-cup measurement ratio to regular brown sugar.  So, if a recipe calls for a cup of packed brown sugar, you would just replace it with a cup of pourable brown sugar. Easy!
Brown Sugar Crumb Cake - lemon-sugar.com -2026
You can find C&H® Pourable Golden Brown Sugar in your baking aisle at the grocery store right next to all of the other sugar.   Visit their website (here) for coupons, recipes and retail locations.  Or, if you live in the eastern half of the U.S., check out C&H®’s sister brand, Domino® Sugar (click here).I encourage you to give it a try – it’s saved me time and effort a number of times.  And for those of you who are wondering, you can’t tell the difference at all.
Brown Sugar Crumb Cake - lemon-sugar.com -2010
Back to the crumb cake – we should talk quickly about the method used for the topping, because it’s a bit different than a traditional crumb topping.  I have come to prefer this method because it’s easy and makes these big, beautiful crumbs that just can’t be replicated with the traditional method. First, you dissolve sugar in melted butter.  Then, you stir in flour with a rubber spatula until the butter/sugar mixture just barely absorbs the flour, and you pour the whole thing out onto a cookie sheet to “dry” slightly while you make the cake batter.  That’s it!  No pastry cutters, no super-cold butter, and no rushing.  It’s easy and I think it makes the best crumb topping I’ve ever had.
Brown Sugar Crumb Cake - lemon-sugar.com -2001
Hope this post helped you out today.  I love to discover new products to make things easier in the kitchen and of course to share them with you all.  I just made a delicious cinnamon bun recipe with my new brown sugar, and I have big plans for a brown sugar creme brulee that’s just SCREAMING for this as a topping.  I’ll share it with you, soon!
Brown Sugar Crumb Cake - lemon-sugar.com -2015
What’s your favorite way to use brown sugar? Tell me in the comments to enter for a chance to win a $100 VISA gift card!
Entry Instructions: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
  • Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
  • Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including a disclosure that your Tweet is a sweepstakes entry and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
  • Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
  • For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
  • This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 4/6/2015 – 5/14/2015 Be sure to visit Domino and C&H Sugar’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
Brown Sugar Crumb Cake
 
Print
Prep time
25 mins
Cook time
30 mins
Total time
55 mins
 
Brown sugar is the star of this indulgent breakfast cake. Big crumb topping and a sweet glaze will make this breakfast treat feel like dessert! Recipe adapted slightly from Damn Delicious.
Serves: 12-16 servings
Ingredients
Cake:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 and ¼ cups brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sour cream
Topping:
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 and ½ cups all-purpose flour
Glaze:
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
  2. Prepare a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
  3. Make crumb topping: in a medium bowl, combine sugars, cinnamon and salt. Add melted butter, and whisk to combine.
  4. Add flour and combine with a rubber spatula until just moistened.
  5. Pour mixture on to a baking sheet and allow it to dry while you make the cake.
  6. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
  7. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  8. Add eggs one at a time until well combined.
  9. Beat in vanilla.
  10. With the mixer on low speed, add the sour cream and the dry ingredients alternately in 3 parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, beating just until incorporated.
  11. Pour the batter in to the prepared baking dish.
  12. Sprinkle with the crumb topping, gently pressing the crumbs into the batter.
  13. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
  14. To make the glaze, combine brown sugar, vanilla and 2 tablespoons water. Whisk until smooth.
  15. When the cake is done, cool for 10 minutes and drizzle the glaze evenly over the top.
  16. Enjoy!
3.2.2925

Categories: Breakfast

Organized Living Freedom Rail Reveal
Previous Post: « American Kitchen Stories
Next Post: Lemon Tart with Blackberry Syrup »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. grace says

    at

    i won’t lie–i’ve been known to eat brown sugar by the spoonful, but my favorite use for it is brown sugar pie. i haven’t seen this pourable version, but i’m definitely intrigued! your cake is glorious. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Natalie says

    at

    My favorite way to use brown sugar is to sprinkle it over my oatmeal. It makes it so much better! yarbr012atgmaildotcom

    Reply
  3. Elena says

    at

    I like to bake sweet potatoes with brown sugar
    elena150980@yahoo.com

    Reply
  4. Jessica To says

    at

    I like brown sugar for icing on cinnamon rolls.

    Reply
  5. mami2jcn says

    at

    I like brown sugar on oatmeal.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

    Reply
  6. Madeline says

    at

    I like to use brown sugar in baked pumpkin pudding, and also sprinkled on baked yams.
    madelinebrubaker {at} gmail [dot] com

    Reply
  7. Betsy Barnes says

    at

    I like using brown sugar in my cookie recipes. It makes the cookies chewy and a nice texture 🙂

    Reply
  8. Dawn Monroe says

    at

    One of my favorites uses is for the crust on pineapple upside down cake. Now that I think about it I use brown sugar a lot.

    Reply
  9. Lisa Brown says

    at

    i like to use brown sugar in chocolate chip cookies

    Reply
  10. Julie Wood says

    at

    I like to make my Brown Sugar Blondies!
    my email jewelwood55(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  11. Madonna says

    at

    I use brown sugar to make sea foam candy.

    Reply
  12. Jan R says

    at

    Brown sugar in cinnamon roll filling

    Reply
  13. MaryB says

    at

    I love to make brown sugar meringue.

    Reply
  14. Rosie says

    at

    My fav way to use brown sugar is in making Asian sauces, esp for General Tso’s Chicken.

    Reply
  15. bellagirl07 says

    at

    My favorite way to use brown sugar in cinnamon roles.
    heather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com

    Reply
  16. Clare yates says

    at

    could you give me a cup of flour &sugar (white &brown)in ounces or grams

    Reply
  17. nicole dziedzic says

    at

    I love to use brown sugar in so many things, but my favorite is to use it in baking cookies. Yum!
    Nicole.ddziedzic at gmail dot com

    Reply
  18. D Schmidt says

    at

    My favorite way to use brown sugar is in a family recipe for
    chewy brown sugar cookies.

    mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

    Reply
  19. chambanachik says

    at

    Making peanut butter cookies for my dad- they’re his favorite.

    chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  20. Linda C says

    at

    In my oatmeal.

    Reply
  21. JessieC says

    at

    My favorite is to make brown sugar muffins.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

    Reply
  22. Elle says

    at

    I love to add brown sugar with a little cinnamon to oatmeal..

    prettyinhotpink6 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  23. rachel says

    at

    I love it in peach crisp. So tasty.

    Reply
  24. tina m says

    at

    I like to use it on sweet potato.

    Reply
  25. Karen says

    at

    I love using brown sugar in biscuits for strawberry shortcake

    Reply
  26. Cindy says

    at

    I microwave mochi with butter. I put kinako mixed with brown sugar on top of the mochi.

    Reply
  27. Rebecca W says

    at

    We love brown sugar in oatmeal or chocolate chip cookies!

    Reply
  28. Victoria R. says

    at

    I love brown sugar in my grits! Delish!

    Reply
  29. Kim Ripley says

    at

    Brown sugar is so yummy in oatmeal!

    Reply
  30. Sydney says

    at

    I love to sprinkle a little bit on my oatmeal or in a bowl with milk and fresh peaches!

    Reply
  31. Sydney says

    at

    https://twitter.com/sramt90/status/591751788694351873

    Reply
  32. maria cantu says

    at

    I use it in my morning oatmeal.
    MCantu1019 at aol dot com

    Reply
  33. Anna Pry says

    at

    i use brown sugar, butter and oats as a topping for fruit crisp! pryfamily5@gmail.com

    Reply
  34. madeas says

    at

    It is difficult to limit it to only one favorite use, but I will choose using brown sugar in cookie baking from scratch, especially chocolate chip cookie baking

    Reply
  35. Susan Smith says

    at

    This looks yummy! I like to add brown sugar to my oatmeal in the morning.
    s2s2 at cox dot net

    Reply
  36. Wild Orchid says

    at

    I love using it in my homemade chocolate chip cookies.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com

    Reply
  37. latanya t says

    at

    on sweet potatoes

    dlatany at gmail dot com

    Reply
  38. Stephanie Phelps says

    at

    I love to use brown sugar to make pineapple upside down cake! my4boysand1@gmail.com

    Reply
  39. Samantha Daleo says

    at

    My favorite way to use brown sugar is to sprinkle it on my oatmeal! YUM!

    Reply
  40. onefrugalgirl says

    at

    In sweet potato casserole!
    onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com

    Reply
  41. Lauren Eggers says

    at

    I love using brown sugar in chocolate chip cookies neyabenz(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  42. Ellie W says

    at

    I like to use brown sugar and sweet onions to make baked beans. My family loves them.

    Reply
  43. Kristen says

    at

    I love brown sugar in oatmeal.

    Reply
  44. Amy Tong says

    at

    My favorite way to use brown sugar is to add them in my granola for extra flavors.
    amy [at] utry [dot] it

    Reply
  45. Anne says

    at

    To make a good grapefruit great, I sprinkle the cut halves with brown sugar then put them under a broiler just until the sugar melts and the grapefruit has warmed.
    [notheranneother {at} gmail {dot} com]

    Reply
  46. bellows22 says

    at

    my favorite way to use brown sugar is in oatmeal

    debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply
  47. Kerry says

    at

    One of my favorite ways to use brown sugar is in my monkey bread!
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

    Reply
  48. rebeccagraham says

    at

    I sprinkle brown sugar on my oatmeal.

    Reply
  49. Tammy says

    at

    I love using brown sugar in cookies 🙂

    Reply
  50. MK says

    at

    I like brown sugar on hot cereal.

    Reply
  51. AnnaZed says

    at

    I like to use brown sugar in my cinnamon-raisin swirl bread
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

    Reply
  52. erica best says

    at

    i love brown sugar in peach cobbler

    Reply
  53. Patricia Colletti says

    at

    Quinlan726(at)aol(dot)com my favorite way to use brown sugar is to make gingerbread body scrub

    Reply
  54. elizabeth elliott says

    at

    My favorite way is using it in oatmeal. truckredford(at)Gmail(Dot)com

    Reply
  55. Thomas Murphy says

    at

    I like to use brown sugar on sweet potatoes.

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

    Reply
  56. Tolemee says

    at

    My favorite way is using it in oatmeal and in cookies ♥
    My email is redaurelie(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  57. Natalie J. Vandenberghe says

    at

    I love brown sugar in my baked beans!

    Reply
  58. Wanda McHenry says

    at

    My favorite way to use brown sugar is in my Upside Down Pineapple Cake!

    wbailey113 at hotmail dot com

    Reply
  59. Bert says

    at

    My favorite way to use it is in pineapple upside down cake
    iamdadtastic@gmail.com

    Reply
  60. AngelaLilly says

    at

    I love using it my grandmother’s recipe for homemade pecan pie…a good southern recipe! 😀

    Angie

    14earth at gmail dot com

    Reply
  61. Denise L says

    at

    I love to use brown sugar in my morning oatmeal!
    dmarie824 at aol dot com

    Reply
  62. Tabathia says

    at

    I like to use it when making a sweet potato casserole

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  63. Whitney Lynn Bellows says

    at

    I love to put brown sugar in my sugar cookies! wlbellows at gmail dot com

    Reply
  64. Jessica Holybee says

    at

    I like to put brown sugar on cream of wheat.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Archives

Food Advertising by
logo
Visit Erin {Lemon Sugar}'s profile on Pinterest.

Copyright© 2025 · Cookd Pro Theme by Shay Bocks