Donnas East Coast Inspired Crumb Cake Recipes

OVER-THE-TOP CRUMB CAKE

Steps:

• For the streusel: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Stir together the pecans, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon and butter in a large bowl until wet, sandy and combined. Spread 3/4 cup on a baking sheet (set the remaining aside for the cake). Bake until the streusel is set and crispy, about 15 minutes. Break up the pieces with a spatula and let cool completely in the pan, about 30 minutes. Break up the pieces into crumbs with your hands and set aside.
• For the cake: Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking sheet with butter. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
• Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the sour cream; begin and end with the flour and beat until just incorporated.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan (it will be very thick) and smooth with a silicone spatula. Press 15 mini doughnuts or 6 regular doughnuts into the batter and sprinkle over the reserved un-baked streusel topping. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 60 to 65 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen any streusel that has baked on. Let cool in the pan for 1 hour, then invert onto a serving platter to cool completely, about 2 hours more.
• For the frosting: Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Slowly add 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until well combined. Add the vanilla, beating until well combined.
• Assemble the cake: To make a glaze, mix the remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon water until smooth. Use a serrated knife to trim the edges from the short sides of the cake to make sharp corners. Cut the cake in half crosswise.
• Put a cake half on a cake stand or serving platter. Reserve 1/4 cup frosting and spread the remaining frosting on the top of the cake, then place the other piece of cake on top. Cut the remaining 4 mini doughnuts or 3 regular doughnuts in half and spread some of the reserved frosting on the cut ends. Put the doughnuts on the top of the cake around the edge, cut-side down. Sprinkle the reserved streusel on the center of the cake and drizzle with the glaze. Refrigerate to set, about 2 hours. Bring to room temperature, about 1 hour, before serving.

DONNA'S FAMOUS CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs and the butter or margarine with your hands. Flatten out crust on the bottom of the springform pan.
• In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Beat in sweetened condensed milk and mix until combined well. Add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla, and continue to beat. Mix until very smooth, and pour mixture into the springform pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs over the top of the batter.
• Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand and cool. Refrigerate to chill.