How to Make Crumb Topping
Discover the perfect crumb topping recipe that’s versatile, easy, and delicious! Whether you’re topping pies, fruit crisps, muffins, or even ice cream, this streusel topping adds that irresistible crunchy texture. Made with simple ingredients like butter, flour, brown sugar, and oats, it’s a must-have for bakers. Learn how to make crumb topping step-by-step, plus tips for storage and creative uses.
This topping is fabulous on pie, you’ve got to have that crumb on a fruit crisp, it’s delicious on a bar cookie, on top of ice cream, on top of quick bread or coffee cake, and amazing just to snack on! This is a great easy crumble topping.
The crumble topping shown above was baked on parchment paper. It’s perfect for sprinkling on top of ice cream, funnel cakes, or eating all by itself.
Why You’ll Love This Crumb Topping Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes with just 4 pantry staples.
- Versatile: Use it on pies, crisps, quick breads, coffee cakes, or as a snack.
- Customizable: Add nuts, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice or any favorite spices for your own twist.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Bake and store for up to 10 days.
How to Make Crumb Topping
Here are the simple steps to make a streusel topping for baked goods or snacking.
Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees if you are going to use this to snack on or a sprinkle on top topping – like for ice cream, funnel cakes, etc.
Melt your butter
Start by melting your stick of unsalted butter.
Add the flour
Add the flour to the melted butter.
Brown Sugar
Add the brown sugar to the bowl.
Oats
Add your oats.
Mix Together
Use a spoon or fork to mix the ingredients together until evenly dispersed. If you want to add some nuts, now would be the time to add some to the mixture. Walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, or pecans would be great. I’m one of those weird people who does not like nuts except alone.
Spread on Parchment
Spread out the crumb topping on parchment paper.
Bake Crumb Topping
Bake until the edges start to crisp up, about 25 minutes. It will crisp up more as it cools.
Store
Store in an air-tight jar and enjoy within 10 days.
How to Use Crumb Topping in Recipes
This streusel topping shines in so many ways and a great way to upgrade your dessert game:
- Pies – you can place this streusel recipe on top, before baking, top your pie crust and filling. Bake as your pie instructions go.
- Fruit Crisp – Peel and cut up your favorite fruit. Toss with some sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt then you can top with the topping (before baking) and then bake for about 30 minutes.
- Ice Cream – sprinkle the baked topping on your ice cream for a crunchy element
- Muffins and Quick Breads: Add to the top before baking for a bakery-style finish.
- Bar Cookies or Coffee Cake: Press into the batter and bake as directed.
Crumb Topping
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter melted
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup oats
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350° degrees.
- Melt your butter and place into a bowl.
- Add the flour to the butter.
- Place the brown sugar into the bowl.
- Add the oats to the bowl.
- Mix all the ingredients together.
- If you are baking the crumble on it's own, spread out the crumb topping onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for about 25 minutes, until the edges start to brown and crisp up. It will crisp more as it cools. Let it cool about 15-20 minutes before using a spatula to break up and serve immediately or store in a jar.
Notes
Recipes with Crumb Topping
Folk refuse to be used to mix the ingredients together until evenly dispersed, but I’ sure a spoon will do nicely. Other than that, the recipe is great. Thank you.