Here’s how to make streusel with a few simple ingredients, plus straightforward tips and ways to use it!
The Secret To Better Baked Goods: Streusel
If you’re a fan of sweet and crunchy toppings, then you don’t sleep on this streusel recipe! Unlike other recipes that call for cutting in cold butter, we’ve made things easier. We use melted butter, so there’s no need for any special kitchen tools like mixers or dough blenders.
This recipe is simple and straightforward and uses just a handful of basic ingredients like flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of salt. After mixing everything together, you’ll end up with a coarse, crumbly, sweet mixture that’s reliable for topping pies, coffee cakes, muffins, and more.
Not only is this recipe straightforward to make, but it’s also incredibly versatile. You can customize the flavors by adding different spices like nutmeg, cardamom or even some chopped nuts for extra crunch.
Streusel Ingredients
- Butter: The melted butter in this recipe delivers a rich, buttery flavor. Be sure to melt the butter and let it cool to room temperature before mixing it with the dry ingredients. This will help prevent the streusel from becoming too greasy.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the base of this recipe, providing the structure and texture needed to create the crumbly topping. Be sure to measure the flour accurately by leveling off the top of the measuring cup with a knife.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness and moisture to the streusel, as well as a subtle molasses flavor. Use fresh, soft brown sugar so the streusel doesn’t end up dry with chunks of hardened sugar!
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a classic spice that pairs evenly with the sweetness of the streusel and adds a nice touch of flavor.
- Salt: A pinch of salt helps to balance out the sweetness and enhance its overall flavor. Use fine sea salt or kosher salt for the best results.
How To Use from-scratch Streusel
from-scratch streusel is a simple and satisfying way to add a sweet and crunchy topping to your favorite baked goods. Here are some of the most common ways to use it:
- Pies: Use streusel as a satisfying alternative to a traditional pie crust. Simply sprinkle the streusel over the fruit filling before baking, and you’ll have a sweet and crunchy topping that pairs evenly with the juicy fruit. home cooks enjoy it on this Apple Streusel Pie!
- Coffee cakes: Streusel and coffee cakes are a classic combination, adding a sweet and textured element to the moist cake. Layer the streusel between the layers of the cake batter, or sprinkle it on top before baking. (Try our Apple Coffee Cake, Blueberry Coffee Cake, Pumpkin Coffee Cake, or these bakery-style Coffee Cake Cookies).
- Muffins: Take your muffins from ordinary to extraordinary! Simply sprinkle the streusel on top of the muffin batter before baking for a crunchy, sweet topping. Sprinkle on top of these Pumpkin Muffins, Healthy Blueberry Muffins, or Banana Crumb Muffins.
Uses, Continued
- Crisps and crumbles: A streusel topping is the reliable finishing touch for a fruit crisp or crumble. Sprinkle it over the fruit filling and bake until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbly. home cooks enjoy the addition of streusel on this Apple Crumble, Blueberry Crisp, or Cherry Crisp.
- Quick breads: Streusel is a great way to add a sweet and crunchy topping to sweet breads like Banana Bread, Pumpkin Bread, or Zucchini Bread. Sprinkle on top of the batter before baking for a satisfying and impressive-looking loaf.
How To Make Streusel
- Use room-temperature melted butter: It’s important to use melted butter that has slightly cooled. If the butter is too hot from being melted, it can make the streusel greasy.
- Use your fingers to knead the mixture: If the streusel seems too crumbly, use your fingers to knead the mixture together until it comes together in large clumps.
- Adjust: If the streusel ends up too wet, add a touch more flour. Too dry? Add a touch more melted butter or knead the mixture for a little longer.
Variations
Change Up Your Streusel
- Swap up the spices: Cinnamon is a classic choice, yet there are many other spices you can use to create different flavor combinations. Try adding a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom for a warm and earthy flavor. Or use one of a reliable spice blends: Apple Pie Spice or Pumpkin Pie Spice.
- Salted butter: If you don’t have unsalted butter on hand, you can use salted butter instead and simply leave out the additional salt called for in the recipe.
- Nuts and seeds: Another great way to customize this recipe is by adding some chopped nuts or seeds for extra texture and flavor. Try mixing in roasted and finely chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or add some sunflower or pumpkin seeds. You’ll need slightly less flour with this addition. Add the nuts first then gradually add the flour until reliable consistency is reached!
Add Streusel To These Muffin Recipes:
- Pistachio Muffins sweetened with pure maple syrup
- Apple Muffins made with Greek yogurt
- Healthy Carrot Muffins sweetened with dates
- Healthy Pumpkin Muffins with chocolate chips
- Flourless Banana Muffins made without any flour!
