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The Best Crumble Topping Recipe for Every Pie 🍎🍑

This easy crumble topping is your go-to for pies, muffins, or even fruit crisps! Made with just four simple ingredients, it’s buttery, sweet, and perfectly crumbly. Customize it with brown or granulated sugar to suit your recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe has been a family favorite for years and started as the perfect finishing touch to my signature crumb apple pie. It’s so good we once joked the pie would be perfect with just crust and crumble! Over time, I’ve used this topping on countless desserts, and it never disappoints. From muffins to coffee cakes to slab pies, this recipe works for all your baking needs!

4 Simple Ingredients

Butter: Slightly softened unsalted butter works best. If you’re using salted butter, skip the added salt.
Sugar: Use granulated, brown sugar, or a mix of both for the perfect balance of flavor.
Flour: All-purpose flour gives the crumble structure. For an oat-based version, try my oatmeal crumble recipe.
Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the flavor, only if using unsalted butter.

How to Make Crumble Topping

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
Add Butter: Incorporate butter in small chunks or grated for easier mixing.
Cut the Butter: Use a pastry cutter to combine the ingredients until crumbly and pea-sized. No loose flour should remain.
Ready to Use: Your crumble is done when it’s soft and holds its shape when pressed lightly.

Expert Tips for Success

Grate the Butter: Freeze butter for 30 minutes and use a box grater for quick mixing. It saves time and effort compared to cutting cubes.
Skip the Mixer: Crumble is delicate, so mix by hand using a pastry cutter for the best texture. No pastry cutter? Use a fork or two knives.
Make Ahead: Prepare crumble up to a day in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Delicious Ways to Use Crumble Topping

Pies: Top apple, peach, blueberry, or blackberry pies.
Mini Desserts: Sprinkle over mini pies or hand pies for an easy upgrade.
Fruit Crisps: Add to peach or apple crisps for a classic dessert.
Muffins: Elevate your favorite muffin recipes with a crumbly topping.
Slab Pies: This recipe makes enough for larger pies too!

Easy Crumb Topping for Pies, Muffins, and Coffee Cakes 🍎🧁

Recipe by snackonmeat

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

This versatile crumb topping recipe is quick to make and perfect for adding a sweet, buttery crunch to your favorite desserts. Whether you’re topping pies, muffins, or coffee cakes, this simple recipe delivers every time!

Ingredients

12 tablespoons (170g) unsalted butter: Cold for best results.
⅔ cup (133g) sugar: Use brown sugar, granulated sugar, or a mix of both (e.g., ⅓ cup each).
1 ½ cups (186g) all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt: Skip if using salted butter.

Directions

Prepare the Butter: Grate cold butter into a large bowl for easy mixing. Alternatively, cut it into small cubes.
Add Sugar: Combine your preferred sugar(s)—brown, granulated, or both—to the bowl.
Mix in Dry Ingredients: Add the flour and salt.
Form the Crumbs: Use a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
How to Use
Sprinkle over your favorite fruit pies before baking.
Add as a topping for muffins before putting them in the oven.
Use on coffee cakes to create a delicious crumbly layer.