Crumble topping is a combination of only 3 simple ingredients: butter, flour and sugar. It adds the perfect sweetness and crunch to any muffin, quick bread or pie!
Favorite Topping for Muffins
I recently just made my pumpkin crumb muffins with this delicious topping and let me tell you, it was the star of the show! It’s the perfect combination of rich, buttery and sweet and makes a great crumb topping for muffins. I could eat it by the spoonful!
This easy crumble topping is the perfect way to add some extra pizazz to your baked goods. It can be whipped up in just 5 minutes and only requires 3 simple ingredients that I bet you already have in your fridge and pantry.
You can sprinkle this delicious crumb topping over breads, pies, bars, muffins…you name it. One of my favorite recipes to use it in is this brown bag apple pie or Dutch apple pie. It also tastes delicious on top of this razzleberry pie or sprinkled over this easy coffee cake recipe as well.
3 simple ingredients
The base recipe starts with 3 simple ingredients (amounts included in printable recipe below). Feel free to mix in an additional spice or two for even more flavor, like cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. You can even mix in some chopped pecans for an extra crunch, or add in oats to make it more of a streusel topping.
- Butter: Use salted butter and melt it down in the microwave.
- Flour: All-purpose flour works great.
- Sugar: I love to use granulated sugar or half sugar and half brown sugar.
How to make crumble topping
COMBINE the flour, sugar and melted butter in a bowl. Sprinkle in cinnamon if using. Then use a spoon to combine the mixture until crumbs start to form (do not mix until smooth). Refrigerate until ready to use.
SPRINKLE the crumb topping evenly on top of muffins, pies or breads. Then bake in the oven according to directions.
More ways to use crumb topping:
- Berry crumble pie
- Apple cobbler or peach cobbler
- Pumpkin streusel coffee cake
- Strawberry rhubarb crisp
- Caramel apple pie bars
- Pumpkin crisp
- Peach crumble pie
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Crumble Topping
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar or brown sugar (I like to a do 3 TB each)
- 4-6 Tablespoons salted butter , slightly melted
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon , optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Add cinnamon, if desired. Slowly drizzle the butter into the bowl while stirring the crumbs with a fork. I like to start with 3-4 Tablespoons and add more as needed until the crumbs form. Do not over-mix (you do not want this to become like a dough).
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Evenly spread across muffins, quick breads, or pie.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Crisps + Cobblers, Desserts, No-Bake, Toppings
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Does this make enough to adequately cover a 9×13 cake? Says 12 servings but that doesn’t really mean much in regards to this recipe. Thanks!
Yes it will cover a 9×13 cake but if you like extra crumb I would 1 1/2 or 2x the recipe.
Where’s the quantities
Hi Louis, scroll to the recipe card or hit ‘jump to recipe’ button at the top of post.
I have used this so many times on apple and banana breads .. the last two times idk what was wrong. One was super runny like cake batter and the other was rolls like cookies. Nothing like the first thousands times. 😞 Can’t for the life of me figure out what I’m doing wrong
Hi Airese! I’m glad you enjoyed the crumb topping in the past. My guess is you added too much butter if it was too runny. I like to start with 3-4 Tablespoons and only add more if it’s not coming together into clumps.