Strawberry Jam Crumb Cookies: The Irresistible Treat You Can’t Miss!

Welcome to the world of truly irresistible treats! These Strawberry Jam Crumb Cookies are quickly becoming everyone’s favorite, embodying that delicious “Fear Of Missing Out” (FOMO) feeling. Inspired by the comforting taste and texture of classic crumb cake, these cookies offer a delightful twist, blending buttery, sugary crumbs with sweet, fruity jam. Get ready to bake a batch that will have everyone asking for more!

The Sweet History of Crumb Cake: From Germany to Your Plate

Let’s set the record straight on this beloved pastry. While many New Yorkers might enthusiastically claim ownership of this delicious classic, historical evidence strongly points towards Germany as its birthplace. The original German version is known as Streuselkuchen, which directly translates to “crumb cake” for us English speakers. This rich history adds a layer of cultural depth to every bite, connecting us to centuries of baking traditions.

Traditionally, Streuselkuchen is a delightful breakfast cake. It features a soft, tender yeast dough base generously covered with a sweet, buttery crumb topping, famously known as streusel. This topping is typically a simple yet magical mixture of butter, sugar, and flour, rubbed together to create glorious, coarse crumbs.

The Iconic New York Crumb Cake

While Germany gave us the concept, New York truly perfected its own distinct version, making it an indispensable part of American bakery culture. And frankly, the New York take is absolutely fabulous. Growing up, I’ve cherished memories of enjoying this delightful treat from bakeries all along the Jersey shore.

The New York crumb cake boasts a tender, rich, and incredibly buttery cake base that is truly dreamy. However, for many, myself included, the crumb topping is the undisputed star of the show. Imagine crisp, substantial chunks of buttery, sugary, and perfectly spiced cinnamony crumbs – they are nothing short of delectable! This emphasis on a thick, generous layer of streusel is what sets the New York version apart, making each bite an explosion of texture and flavor.

From Crumb Cake to Crumb Cookie: A Delicious Transformation

Considering how utterly captivating the streusel topping of crumb cake is, a thought occurred to me: why not elevate that incredible crumb to be the main event in a cookie? And to take it one step further, why not introduce the vibrant sweetness of jam for an added layer of flavor and moisture?

The result? These Strawberry Jam Crumb Cookies, which truly live up to their reputation as the new “FOMO cookies”! Imagine all that amazing buttery, cinnamony crumb, generously dolloped with bright, fresh strawberry jam, all baked into an incredibly tasty cookie. They are an absolute dream, pairing perfectly with a steamy hot cup of tea or a robust coffee.

You’ll not only fall in love with the delicious taste and texture of these crumb cookies, but also with how surprisingly quick and easy they are to prepare. They require minimal effort for maximum reward, making them an ideal choice for last-minute guests or a spontaneous baking session. Just a friendly warning: they are incredibly addictive and utterly irresistible. Once you start, it’s hard to stop!

Key Ingredients for Your Strawberry Jam Crumb Cookies

Crafting these delectable crumb cookies requires a few simple, wholesome ingredients. The magic truly happens when these components come together to create the perfect balance of sweet, buttery, and fruity flavors:

• All-purpose flour
• Light brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt
• Unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
• Strawberry jam

Enjoy every delightful crumb! If you’re looking for more crumb-inspired goodness, don’t forget to check out my Rhubarb Crumb Loaf and my Apricot Preserves Crumb Cake.

Mastering Your Strawberry Jam Crumb Cookies: Expert Tips

Achieving cookie perfection is easier than you think with these helpful cook’s notes:

• Jam or No Jam? Your Choice: I’ve prepared these cookies both with and without the strawberry jam, and I can assure you, both versions are absolutely delicious! The jam adds a wonderful fruity burst, but the plain crumb cookies are equally delightful for a purist crumb experience.
• Layering the Crumb: When adding the crumb mixture to your tart pan, start with about half of the mixture. Don’t worry about covering the entire pan perfectly with this first layer; a rustic look is part of its charm.
• The Jam Dollop Technique: After the initial crumb layer, add a few generous dollops of strawberry jam here and there. It doesn’t need to be precise or aesthetically perfect at this stage; these sweet pockets will melt into the crumb beautifully during baking.
• Finishing the Crumb Layers: Next, gently cover the jam dollops and any uncovered areas with the remaining half of the crumb mixture. Finally, add a few more small dollops of the remaining jam on top for extra fruity bursts and a pretty finish.
• Cutting for Perfection: After the cookies emerge from the oven, allow them to cool in the tart pan for about 10-15 minutes. This brief cooling period helps them set slightly. Once they’re warm but not piping hot, cut them into eight even wedges before they fully harden. It’s crucial to leave them in the tart pan until they’ve cooled completely to room temperature. This prevents them from breaking apart and ensures they maintain their beautiful wedge shape.

Recipe Video

More Delicious Dessert Recipes to Enjoy

S’mores Spritz Sandwich Cookies

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Canadian Butter Tarts

Basque Cheesecake

Strawberry Jam Crumb Cookies

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 8 servings

Print Recipe | Pin Recipe

These Strawberry Jam Crumb Cookies are the new FOMO cookies! Inspired by classic crumb cake, these cookies are totally irresistible!

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 12 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 cup strawberry jam

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly spray an 8-inch tart pan with a removable bottom with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the butter slowly with a fork until just crumbly. For best results, use your fingers to bring the mixture into larger clumps for that perfect streusel texture.
3. Add half of the crumb mixture to the prepared tart pan. It’s not necessary to cover the entire pan with this initial layer. Top with half of the strawberry jam, dolloping it in a few distinct spaces.
4. Evenly distribute the remaining half of the crumb mixture over the jam, ensuring all empty spots are filled. Dollop the remaining jam in a few more spots on top of the crumb.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the jam is bubbly and the crumb topping is lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven.
6. After 10-15 minutes of cooling, carefully cut the cookies into 8 wedges before they harden completely. Keep them in the tart pan until they have totally cooled to room temperature, then remove and serve.

Notes

• These cookies are delicious both with and without the strawberry jam. Feel free to experiment or make a batch of each!
• For easy layering, first add half of the crumb mixture to the tart pan, then dollop with half of the jam, then add the rest of the crumb, and finally the remaining jam. This creates lovely layers of flavor.
• Remember to cut the cookies into wedges about 10-15 minutes after they come out of the oven, while they are still warm but firm enough. Leave them in the tart pan to cool completely to maintain their shape.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

• Calories: 464kcal
• Carbohydrates: 73g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Cholesterol: 47mg
• Sodium: 82mg
• Potassium: 90mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 46g
• Vitamin A: 555IU
• Vitamin C: 3.7mg
• Calcium: 44mg
• Iron: 1.5mg

Keyword: easy crumb cookies, strawberry cookies, strawberry recipe

Cuisine: American, German

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Before your first bite, snap a photo and share!
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Be sure to follow thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram and tag Mention @thebeachhousekitchen or tag #thebeachhousekitchen!