Crumble Topping Recipe

4.03 from 72 ratings

Over years of making muffins, I have perfected this crumb topping recipe. Add this to any muffin, bread, cake or pie! This streusel topping is sweet, crunchy, and will elevate anything you add it to. Keep reading for my best tips for crumb topping perfection!

Prep Time5

Course: Dessert

Keyword: crumble topping, how to make crumb topping, streusel topping

Servings:

Author: Beth

Equipment

Ingredients

1 ½ cups (180g) all purpose flour
⅔ cup (142g) brown sugar packed
1½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
½ cup (113g) unsalted butter melted, 1 stick

Instructions

In a mixing bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and melted butter. Use a spatula to mix the crumb. The mixture will be thick and you must stir well (elbow grease!) to combine all the dry ingredients. Continue to combine until the mixture looks wet. It’s okay if the mixture is “sandy” in texture. Use your hands to squeeze clumps together, forcing the mixture together.
1 ½ cups (180g) all purpose flour, ⅔ cup (142g) brown sugar, 1½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp salt, ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
Set the crumb aside until ready to use. The streusel topping can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.
Generously pile the crumb topping on muffins, bread, cake or pie before baking. Follow the baking instructions of your base recipe. I found it easiest to squeeze some of the crumb in my hands, forming a ball, then break off smaller pieces, lightly pressing the crumb into the batter. Ideally you want substantial pieces of crumb.

Notes

How to use crumb topping

Add crumb topping to any muffin, cake or pie recipe before baking.

When adding to muffins, be sure there is enough space in the muffin liner to “hold” the crumb topping. Meaning, add slightly less batter to each muffin liner.

When adding to cakes, be sure to add it to thick, dense batters. Thin, liquidy batters will cause the crumble topping to sink instead of staying on top of the cake.

When adding to pie, think fruit pies, tent the crumb topping if it becomes too brown during the baking process.

Make in advance

The streusel topping can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.

Nutrition