- 1½ cups (300g) granulated sugar, divided
- ½ cup (1 stick / 115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) warm water
💡 Pro Tips:
- Use warm (not hot) water—helps dissolve sugar and activate baking soda.
- Don’t skip the extra sugar topping—it creates the signature crinkles!
- Grease pan well—this cake is tender and sticks easily.
Step-by-Step Instructions (Simple, Crispy, Foolproof)
1. Prep & Preheat
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan thoroughly.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and 1 tbsp cinnamon.
3. Make the Batter
- In another bowl, combine ½ cup melted butter, 1 cup sugar, vanilla, and warm water. Stir until sugar dissolves slightly.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry; stir until just combined (batter will be thin).
4. Add the Crinkle Topping
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- In a small bowl, mix ½ cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon.
- Sprinkle evenly over the top—do not stir in.
5. Bake to Perfection
- Bake 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is deeply crackled and golden.
- Cool 10 minutes before slicing.
Serving Suggestions
- ☕ Classic: With coffee or afternoon tea
- 🥄 Comfort upgrade: Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- 🍯 Sweet twist: Drizzle with caramel or maple syrup
- 🍓 Light finish: Top with fresh berries or whipped cream
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
- Room temperature: Keeps covered up to 3 days.
- Fridge: Up to 5 days—great for meal prep.
- Freeze: Wrap whole cake or slices tightly; freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use brown sugar?
A: Not recommended—the moisture changes texture. Stick to granulated for the right crinkle.
Q: Gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use a 1:1 GF flour blend (like Bob’s Red Mill).
Q: Too dense?
A: Ensure baking soda is fresh—and don’t overmix.
Q: No cinnamon?
A: Use 1 tsp vanilla + ¼ tsp nutmeg for a different old-fashioned flavor.
❤️ The Heart of the Cake
Crinkle Cake isn’t fancy—but it’s honest, humble, and full of history. It’s what you bake when you want to honor simple ingredients, share warmth without waste, or taste a piece of American kitchen heritage.
So melt that butter, sprinkle that sugar, and bake with presence. Because the best desserts aren’t complicated—they’re crackly, sweet, and made with love.
“Good cake doesn’t need eggs—it just needs sugar, cinnamon, and someone hungry.” 🍰✨