Mrs. Rickert's Crumb Cake

Makes four 6-inch round cakes (see notes below)

This is another delicious Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast cake recipe and probably my favorite. Mrs. Rickert lived in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. I do not remember ever meeting her. She was a friend of my grandmother, possibly a family member from a another branch of the family. My grandmother was born in the 1880's, so you know this is a very old recipe. Traditionally, crumb cake was served for breakfast, but it is equally good as a dessert or snack. It is quick and very easy to make, even for beginners. For a cheese-filled version based on this cake, see the similar and related recipes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, preferably unsalted, room temperature
• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup milk, room temperature

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease four 6-inch pie pans. Combine the butter, flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Mix with your hands to form crumbs. Take out just enough for crumbs on top of cakes, about 3/4 cup. Set aside. To the remaining crumbs add the eggs and milk; beat well. Divide batter evenly among prepared cake pans. Sprinkle with crumbs. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and set on racks to cool slightly, then remove cakes from pans and cool completely.

Notes: We often use one 13x9x2-inch cake pan. Bake at the same temperature for about the same amount of time.