If you have a sweet tooth and love a cake that offers a delicious contrast of crunchy and tender textures, this Toffee Streusel Cake Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine tender, moist cake elevated by a buttery, crumbly streusel topping bursting with sweet toffee bits, creating a symphony of flavors and textures that’s impossible to resist. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, this cake brings a warm, cozy feeling with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Toffee Streusel Cake Recipe lies in its simple but essential ingredients, each playing a vital role in building flavor, texture, and that golden color. From the rich brown sugar to the crisp cold butter and the tang of buttermilk, these ingredients work harmoniously to create a cake that’s tender, flavorful, and topped with the perfect crumbly crunch.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the cake, ensuring it’s tender but holds together perfectly.
- 1 cup packed brown sugar: Adds deep molasses flavor and moisture, key to that chewy, sweet undertone.
- ½ cup sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps with caramelization for a lovely crust.
- â…› tsp salt: Enhances all the flavors, making every bite more vibrant.
- ½ cup cold butter: The secret to a flaky, crumbly streusel topping that melts in your mouth.
- 1 tsp baking soda: Leavens the cake, giving it a light texture and rise.
- 1 cup buttermilk: Adds tanginess and keeps the cake super moist and soft.
- 1 egg: Binds the ingredients and enriches the batter for a tender crumb.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth of flavor to every bite.
- 1 (8-oz) bag milk chocolate Heat English Toffee Bits: The star topping that gives the streusel its delightful crunch and toffee sweetness.
How to Make Toffee Streusel Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray so your cake won’t stick, and set it aside. This simple step is key to making sure your beautiful, golden cake slides out smoothly when it’s done baking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients and Cut in Butter
In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, sugar, and salt. Now comes the fun part—cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks crumbly. Keep half a cup of this mixture separate for the topping that will crown your cake with that signature streusel crunch.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients to the Batter
Mix the baking soda into the remaining butter-flour mixture, then stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and buttermilk. Stir just until everything is moistened—you don’t want to overmix here, or you’ll lose that tender crumb the cake is known for.
Step 4: Pour Batter into Pan
Pour the silky batter evenly into your prepared pan, making sure it’s spread out nicely to bake uniformly. This is where your cake really starts to take shape.
Step 5: Add the Streusel Topping and Toffee Bits
Sprinkle the reserved crumb topping over the batter. Don’t be shy—this is the part that makes your cake irresistibly crunchy. Then, generously sprinkle the English Toffee bits on top. These sweet, buttery morsels will caramelize beautifully as they bake.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake your creation for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, transfer the cake to a wire rack so it can cool completely—this helps the streusel set and the flavors to meld perfectly.
How to Serve Toffee Streusel Cake Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Toffee Streusel Cake Recipe truly shine at the table, consider adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence. Fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream pairs beautifully too, making each bite feel like a little celebration.
Side Dishes
This cake plays wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea, balancing the sweetness with a warm, comforting beverage. For a brunch spread, serve it alongside fresh berries or fruit salad to lighten the richness and add a splash of freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests? Try slicing your cake into individual squares and serving them on pretty plates with a sprig of mint or edible flowers for color. You could also layer crumbled cake with whipped topping and toffee bits in clear glasses for an elegant parfait-style dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any Toffee Streusel Cake left after the party, don’t worry—it keeps beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, maintaining its moist texture and crunchy topping.
Freezing
Want to plan ahead? Wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and you’ll have a freshly baked treat waiting for you.
Reheating
To bring your cake back to that freshly baked warmth, heat slices gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300ºF for about 10 minutes. This helps revive the soft cake and crispy topping to perfection.
FAQs
Can I substitute regular milk for buttermilk?
Absolutely! If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with 1 cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes before using. This homemade buttermilk will give your cake the same tangy moisture it needs.
Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for best results. The texture might be slightly different, but you’ll still get that delicious toffee-streusel experience.
Can I use unsalted butter instead of cold butter?
Using unsalted cold butter is perfectly fine and actually preferable since it gives you control over the salt content in the recipe. Just make sure it’s very cold to achieve the best crumbly texture in your streusel.
How do I store the cake if I’m making it a day ahead?
Wrap the cooled cake tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps it fresh and moist until you’re ready to serve, while the topping stays delightfully crisp.
Can I add nuts to the streusel topping?
Definitely! Chopped pecans or walnuts make a fantastic addition, adding an extra layer of crunch and flavor. Toss them in with the toffee bits before sprinkling them over the cake for a nutty twist.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a cake that feels like a warm hug with every bite, I can’t recommend this Toffee Streusel Cake Recipe enough. From the tender crumb to the sweet, crunchy toffee topping, it’s a dessert that’ll make any gathering extra special. Grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and treat yourself to this little slice of heaven—you deserve it!
Print
Toffee Streusel Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Toffee Streusel Cake is a delightful treat featuring a tender buttermilk batter topped with a buttery crumb streusel and plenty of crunchy milk chocolate English toffee bits. Perfect for dessert or an indulgent snack, it combines the rich flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, and toffee in a moist, tender cake baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Cake and Streusel
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- â…› tsp salt
- ½ cup cold butter
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping
- 1 (8-oz) bag milk chocolate English Toffee Bits
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then set it aside while you prepare the batter.
- Make Streusel Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, sugar, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve ½ cup of this crumbly mixture to use later as the topping for the cake.
- Prepare Batter: To the remaining crumb mixture, add baking soda and stir to combine. Then, add the egg, vanilla extract, and buttermilk. Stir gently just until all ingredients are moistened and the batter is smooth—avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
- Assemble Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan. Spread it out smoothly with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the reserved crumb topping evenly over the batter surface. Follow by distributing the milk chocolate English toffee bits generously over the top to add a sweet, crunchy finish.
- Bake and Cool: Bake the cake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use cold butter for the streusel topping to achieve a crumbly texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake moist and tender.
- Ensure the baking pan is well greased or sprayed to prevent sticking.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before cutting for clean slices.
- You can substitute regular sugar with coconut sugar for a slightly healthier alternative.
