Tanzanian Desserts: Vanilla Crumb Cake

There’s something really comforting about a crumb cake, and this Tanzanian Vanilla Crumb Cake dessert recipe is a great example of simple baking that feels extra special. Lightly sweet, soft, and topped with a buttery cinnamon crumble, this cake is excellent for pairing with your favorite fall latte or for sharing with friends. It’s a cozy treat that also works great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert! 

What makes this recipe stand out from other vanilla coffee cake recipes is the use of Rodelle’s Tanzanian Pure Vanilla Extract. Known for its caramellic, brown sugar, and maple notes, Tanzanian vanilla beans adds a depth of flavor that elevates this dessert. Instead of fading into the background, the vanilla becomes the star, balancing beautifully with the warm hint of cinnamon.  

The Tanzanian dessert itself has a delicate yet moist crumb, thanks to the addition of Greek yogurt and cake flour. Greek yogurt brings richness and a slight tang that keeps the cake tender, while cake flour ensures a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Together, they create a base that is light but satisfying. 

Of course, no crumb cake is complete without its signature topping (extra for us please!). The golden cinnamon crumble adds just the right amount of sweetness and crunch, creating a delicious contrast with the fluffy cake beneath. By adding dark brown sugar, you can taste more of the molasses which is definitely a nice touch! As it bakes, the topping turns beautifully crisp and golden. Your kitchen will have an irresistible aroma that makes it hard to wait for the cake to cool! 

This vanilla crumb cake is also incredibly versatile. Serve it warm on a chilly fall morning with coffee or tea, enjoy it as an afternoon pick-me-up, or bring it to a holiday gathering. It’s lovely on its own but can also be dressed up with a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. However you enjoy it, this is the kind of cake that disappears quickly from the table. 

With its tender crumb, crunchy topping, and exotic vanilla flavor, this Tanzanian Dessert Vanilla Crumb Cake is sure to become a favorite in your baking rotation. 

  • Easy
  • 50 mins
  • 16 servings
Close up of a slice of tanzanian vanilla crumb cake on a vintage plate and laced mat. The background is wooden. The crumb cake is cut in a rectangle where you can see a delicious cake and a nice layer of crumb topping and powdered sugar
Ingredients

For the cake

  • light brown sugar (150 g) 
  • 7 tbsp unsalted butter (100g) 
  • 3 eggs, large (150 g) 
  • 2 tsp Rodelle Tanzania Pure Vanilla Extract (9 g)  
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt (230 g) 
  • 2 1/2 cup cake flour (300 g) 
  • 1 tsp kosher salt (5 g) 
  • 1 tsp baking soda (4 g) 
  • 1 tsp baking powder (4 g) 
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (6 g) 
  • Confection Sugar, garnish

For the crumb

  • 1 cup dark brown sugar (170g) 
  • 1 sick butter, unsalted (113 g) 
  • 2 tsp cinnamon (12 g) 
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, granulated ( 80g) 
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt (2 g)
Uses
Occasions
Directions

Preparation 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a stand mixer, add butter, sugar, and cream until light in color, add eggs one at a time, and then vanilla and Greek yogurt, mix for 30 seconds.  
  2. Scale all dry ingredients and mix, slowly add to the mixer on low speed until combined.  
  3. Scrape sides of bowl and roughly divide batter in half. Grease a 9X9 pan and evenly spread half of the cake batter onto the bottom. 
  4. In a medium bowl, make the crumb. With hands, blend all ingredients until a “crumb’ forms, add about half to the top of the first batter layer, then add the remaining batter and crumb.  
  5. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Let cool, slice, and dust with powdered sugar for serving.  

Notes:

  • This recipe uses a 9X9-inch pan and can be stored for 3-5 days in an airtight container.  

This recipe was prepared by Morgan Osborne for Rodelle, part of ADM's culinary team.