Crumb Topping Recipe (With Video and Step by Step)

Prep Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

10 mins

Yield:

2 cups

What's the secret to a great crumb pie? An easy crumb topping, of course! It's so quick to make and is really more of a ratio than a recipe—a combination of butter, light brown and granulated sugar, flour, and a touch of cinnamon. And it's as simple as mixing the ingredients—first the dry ingredients, then the butter. That’s it!

We suggest you prep some crumb topping now and keep it in your freezer so you can enjoy wonderful baked treats all year round, like peach crumb pie, blueberry crumb pie, apple crumb pie, or crumb muffins. It even tastes delicious sprinkled over warm toast, ice cream, and other frozen desserts.

What Is Crumb Topping?

As its name suggests, crumb topping is a dessert topping. It’s a simple mixture of butter, sugar, and flour and is typically used to top pies or muffins before baking for a crunchy, sweet contrast.

Streusel vs. Crumb Topping

Streusel is similar to crumb topping, and the terms are often used interchangeably. Traditionally, the two have different ratios of the same ingredients, with streusel containing more flour and crumb topping more sugar, offering a different texture and flavor on top of baked goods. Streusel may also include nuts, but crumb topping does not.

Crumble vs. Crumb Topping

Crumble is similar to crumb topping—another butter-sugar-flour mixture. But while crumb topping is finer and used as a finishing touch and textural contrast, a crumble is used in a thick layer all over a fruit filling or other crumble dessert. It’s like a fruit crisp topping without the oats.

6 Ways to Use Crumb Topping

Crumb topping is the last element for desserts before they are baked. Try it on any dessert that would benefit from a sweet, crunchy contrast like these favorites:

Muffins
Crumb pies
Cookies
Coffee cakes
Quick breads, like banana bread or pumpkin bread
As a topping for frozen desserts and fruit: Toast the topping on a baking sheet in a 350 degree-Fahrenheit oven for 15 minutes. Then sprinkle it over ice cream, frozen yogurt, or fresh fruit.

We always specify unsalted butter in baking recipes, and our crumble topping recipe is no different. You might not think it makes a difference, but it does. Different brands of salted butter contain differing amounts of salt. We prefer to use unsalted butter and add the salt separately so we control how much salt goes into a baked good. It's how we develop and test recipes—and how we make them at home.

Directions

Ingredients for Crumb Topping — Grant Webster

Combine dry ingredients:

In a bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup light-brown sugar, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and cinnamon.

Grant Webster
Cut butter into pieces:

Cut 1 1/2 sticks chilled unsalted butter into pieces.

Grant Webster
Add butter to dry ingredients:

With your hands, work in butter pieces, until large clumps form.

Grant Webster

Grant Webster
Divide mixture and freeze:

Divide mixture in half; freeze in plastic storage bags for future use.

Grant Webster

How to Store Crumb Topping

Crumb topping can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, but freezing is the best way to keep it for longer. Place the crumb topping in a freezer-safe bag and transfer to the freezer—it will be good for up to three months. We recommend dividing the recipe into two halves for storage. There's no need to portion it out more than that because it's crumbly and easy to remove as much or as little as you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is melted butter better than cold butter for crumb topping?

No, melted butter is not better than cold butter for crumb topping. Our crumb topping recipe uses cold butter, which is mixed into the sugar and flour mixture. Melted butter would not work for this recipe.
What happens if you put too much butter in crumb topping?

If you put too much butter in crumb topping, it will be melted and greasy. If you don’t use enough butter, it will be dry and floury. Simply follow our recipe, using just the amount of butter called for, and the end result will be a great crumb topping every time.
How do you cut butter into crumb topping?

The best way to cut butter into crumb topping is to use your hands. We do not recommend using a mixer, food processor, or even a pastry blender. Make sure your hands are clean and use your fingers to lightly work in the butter pieces until large clumps form in the topping.
Can you make crumb topping vegan?

Yes, you can make crumb topping vegan. Use the same amount of vegan butter in place of the dairy butter the recipe calls for, and use a solid stick, not a whipped type of vegan butter.

Updated by

Victoria Spencer

Crumb Topping

What Is Crumb Topping?

Streusel vs. Crumb Topping

Crumble vs. Crumb Topping

6 Ways to Use Crumb Topping

Directions

Combine dry ingredients:

Cut butter into pieces:

Add butter to dry ingredients:

Divide mixture and freeze:

How to Store Crumb Topping

Frequently Asked Questions

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