Crumb Topping

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Our easy crumb topping recipe is perfect for a number of your favorite baked desserts! Made with just flour, light brown sugar, and unsalted butter, this buttery, golden topping adds a wonderful crunch to pies, muffins, and crisps. Easy to make in a food processor, it’s a great addition for your baked treats.

Easy crumb topping in a bowl.

Perfectly sweet, buttery, golden, and easy-to-make! These are just a few of the words I use to describe my crumb topping recipe.

This simple, 3-ingredient topping is a little different than our crumble topping with oats.

The main difference? There are no oats in this version. Just flour, sugar, and butter.

Super simple and the perfect buttery finish for your best pies, muffins, crisps, and coffee cakes.

Topping for cherry pie in a white dish.

FAQs Frequently Asked Questions

If it melted, this could be due to the butter being too warm when mixed. Make sure the butter is cold and cubed before mixing.

Also, chilling the topping ahead of time can help it hold its shape while baking.

Yes, you can use a pastry cutter or even your hands to mix the ingredients.

Our topping recipe is versatile and can be used on muffins, coffee cakes, pies, and even certain fruit crisps or cobblers.

I’ve used this crumb topping for cherry pie, blackberry pie, and blackberry jam bars.

It’s also may favorite for fruit crisps when I don’t have any oats in the pantry.

Definitely! Adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice can give this topping a different flavor.

One of my favorite is cinnamon topping. It’s so good!

A good rule of thumb is to apply a generous, even layer without pressing it down too firmly.

Aim for about ½ inch thick to ensure the crunchy streusel layer is able to bake properly.

Storage

If you have leftover crumb topping, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. It can be baked from frozen but will take a few minutes longer to cook.

Bowl filled with homemade crumb topping.

Make It Ahead of Time

This topping can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Tips for the Best Outcome

Tips

Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is cold and cubed straight from the fridge. This will help create a nice, crumbly texture. If the butter is too warm, it can make the topping more like a dough.

Mixing Technique: When using the food processor, pulse the ingredients together rather than running it continuously. This will help you avoid over-mixing, which can lead to a finer, less crumbly texture.

Chill the Topping: After mixing, chill the crumb topping for a bit before using it. This helps the butter firm up again, creating a better texture during baking.

Sprinkling: When applying the unbaked topping, don’t press it down too firmly. Lightly sprinkle it over your muffins, cakes, or pies to get a nice, crumbly layer.

Dessert Recipes to Try

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Crumb topping in a small white bowl.

Crumb Topping

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Author: Kim
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 1 Serving

What You’ll Need

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • ½ cup light brown sugar

How to Make It
 

  • In a food processor or bowl, combine flour, butter, and brown sugar until well mixed.
    1 cup all-purpose flour
    ½ cup unsalted butter
    ½ cup light brown sugar
  • Transfer the mixture to the refrigerator until ready to use.
  • When ready, break the topping into pea-sized pieces (a little large is ok, too).
  • Gently press the topping onto your pie, crisp, muffin batter, etc.
  • Bake according to your recipe’s instructions.

Suggested Equipment

Notes

  • The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of the entire recipe. Actual calories will vary.
  • We recommend that you chill the topping after mixing to let the butter firm up. We’ve accounted for this by adding a 30 minute “chill time” to the recipe card.
  • Salted butter may be used in place of unsalted butter. Dark brown sugar can be used in place of light brown sugar.
  • Skip to FAQs.
  • Skip to Storage.
  • Skip to Make Ahead Information.
  • Skip to Tips.

Nutrition

Serving: 1recipeCalories: 1687kcalCarbohydrates: 203gProtein: 14gFat: 93gSaturated Fat: 58gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 4gCholesterol: 244mgSodium: 46mgPotassium: 307mgFiber: 3gSugar: 107gVitamin A: 2839IUCalcium: 137mgIron: 7mg