Streusel Topping is an easy way to add a deliciously buttery and crunchy, bakery-style finish to muffins, coffee cakes, pies, and more. This simple mixture of flour, sugar, and butter transforms ordinary baked goods into dessert masterpieces. Whether you want a classic cinnamon streusel or a variation with nuts or oats, this simple guide will walk you through making the perfect streusel topping every time!
What is Streusel Topping?
Streusel Topping is a crumbly, buttery mixture made from flour, sugar, and butter, often enhanced with spices like cinnamon or add-ins like oats or nuts. When baked, it creates a sweet, crunchy contrast to soft, moist desserts, adding both flavor and texture. Streusel is commonly used to top muffins, coffee cakes, and quick breads, giving them a bakery-style finish. It can also be sprinkled over pies for a delicious alternative to a traditional crust or even added to doughnuts and cheesecakes for extra texture and sweetness.
Ingredients
- Flour— 1-3/4 cups
- White Sugar— 1/2 cup
- Salt— 1/2 teaspoon
- Melted Butter (1 stick)
How to Make Streusel Topping
- In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, and salt.
- Next, slowly stir in the melted butter with a spatula. The texture should be like wet sand.
- Make the streusel before you make your batter and set it aside in the fridge until you need it.
Streusel Variations
- Brown Sugar Streusel– Swap white sugar for brown sugar for a richer, caramel-like flavor.
- Nutty Streusel– Add ½ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for extra crunch.
- Oat Streusel– Stir in ½ cup of rolled oats for a heartier, slightly chewy texture.
- Spiced Streusel– Enhance the flavor with a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon.
Put your streusel making skills to the test with our bakery-style blueberry crumb cake recipe that’s topped with an oat filled streusel.