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
- ½ cup granulated sugar or brown sugar (I like to a do half and half)
- 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.
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 also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
This sounds perfect but can I put it on top of muffins and then bake?
Hi Mary! Yes, put the crumble on top of your muffins and then bake. Enjoy :)
I will put this on chocolate chip muffins. Wonderful recipe, I have all the ingredients! I can taste it, should I put it on before or after I bake them?
Hi Nancy! Put the crumble on the muffins before baking. Happy baking!
Fabulous!
I just did haha I was really craving this on top of apple pie filling thank you so much for this recipe it was really easy!!!
I absolutely agree with going half & half with white/ brown sugars and the bit of cinnamon. Made my apfel kuchen take me right back to the one my Oma used to bake 😋
Hi, do you know how much in grand this recipe makes the 12 serving version ? thank you
Hi Chloe! I haven’t tested this recipe using metric measurements.
Can you freeze leftover crumble topping?
Yes, you can place in a freezer container and freeze up to 3 months.
Absolutely delicious. I used it for my “Blueberry Banana cake” It’s just a package of banana bread from Walmart, Pillsbury brand, you add blueberries and put this on top. I put it in a cake pan, and if its cooked perfectly it tastes like a delicious cloud!! Tysm!
That sounds delicious Genesis! I am so glad you love the crumble :)
I have used this recipe multiple times for cakes, fruit crumble pies, ad different muffin toppings
That’s great Kay! I’m so glad you enjoy the crumble :)
I also haven’t made it, but I’m literally about to get the ingredients out to start. Very grateful for this easy recipe!
I hope you enjoy it!
Haven’t made it yet but love that it has just a few ingredients and is so simple. I’m not much on baking so your recipe is GREAT, Thanks.
do you have to bake it or can you sprinkle on top and serve
We like to use it on top of baked goods, but you could sprinkle on top if you want to heat treat the flour.
👍😍
I put this on top of a cast iron skillet apple/pear pie. SO GOOD! I’m
Going to make a batch to store in little bags in the freezer. Easy to grab to top on muffins, etc during the fall/winter months and holidays. You could even bake some in a pan by itself and sprinkle on ice cream or frosted cake. Thanks for the great recipe.
Do you put the crumble topping on razzleberry pie before or after pie is baked?
You will put the crumble topping on the pie ahead of time then bake it in the oven.
Works great
Tasty mmm
Easy and tasty. I do half and half sugars. Putting it on blueberry muffins. It is a crowd pleaser. Thank you. ❤️