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This is the best streusel topping! Making streusel for muffins, quick breads and pies is simple and adds a delicious layer of crunchy sweetness. All you need for this recipe is butter, brown sugar, flour and a few spices.
You may not think of it too often, but adding a layer of streusel to your recipes can make them totally different!
I recently had this revelation when working on my recipe for blueberry bread. The first couple of times I made the recipe, I just made the bread itself. Don't get me wrong, it was insanely delicious alone, but I felt like it was missing something.
When it dawned upon me that adding a crunchy, cinnamon-sugar layer of streusel might be something neat to explore, I quickly got to work testing it out.
BAM.
It turned out that streusel was JUST the thing to take my blueberry bread from whoa to whoahwhoahoaaaa.
What is streusel topping made of?
Streusel topping is made of butter, sugar and flour. Adding cinnamon, a touch of nutmeg and salt will take your streusel above and beyond.
Additionally, using brown sugar in place of white granulated sugar will make it better too.
This simple streusel topping is the best because of the brown sugar. Brown sugar adds lots of flavor and keeps the streusel more tender than using only white granulated sugar would.
I added a hefty amount of cinnamon, because you can't have streusel without cinnamon. I love to use ceylon cinnamon, which is the only type of cinnamon I keep in my pantry.
Ceylon cinnamon has a bright and mild flavor, almost a bit floral. I really like the flavor profile of ceylon cinnamon vs. cassia or Saigon types.
How to Make Streusel Topping
Making streusel topping is SO easy and fast to make. You can literally whip it up in no time to add to your favorite baked treats.
Essentially, all you need to do is soften some butter, add the brown sugar, spices and then flour. Mix and top whatever your baking!
Baked goods that need streusel
If you're not sure what to add your streusel topping to, here are some ideas! This recipe is great for all kinds of desserts.
- Quick breads
- Muffins
- Pie
- Coffee cake
- Fruit crisps
Tip: when you're adding streusel to breads, muffins or cakes...anything that needs to rise, be cautious about how much you add.
Too much streusel can weigh down your batter, making it hard to bake properly.
Be sure to add a nice, even layer (a few big crumbles are OK!)
Streusel Topping
Save Recipe
This is the best streusel topping! Making streusel for muffins, quick breads and pies is simple and adds a delicious layer of crunchy sweetness. All you need for this recipe is butter, brown sugar, flour and a few spices.
- Total Time: 5
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tbsp butter (softened)
- ½ c light brown sugar
- ½ c all purpose flour
- ½ tsp cinnamon (I prefer using Ceylon Cinnamon)
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the softened butter and sugar using a hand mixer.
- Mix until full incorporated.
- Next, add the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg & salt.
- Mix on low speed to combine.
- The mixture will be crumbly and on the drier side. Feel free to use your hands to incorporate any remaining flour that didn't mix in.
- Top on quick breads, pies or cakes before baking.
Notes
This recipe will top once 9" cake, a loaf pan. Double for more topping as needed.
TIP: When you're adding streusel to breads, muffins or cakes...anything that needs to rise, be cautious about how much you add.Too much streusel can weigh down your batter, making it hard to bake properly.
Be sure to add a nice, even layer (a few big crumbles are OK!)
Try this recipe on my Blueberry Bread!
- Author: Liz at Owlbbaking.com
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Streusel
