How to Make Basic Streusel Crumble Topping

What does ‘Streusel’ mean?

First off, what does the word ‘Streusel’ actually mean? I lived in Germany for 17 years, and have an MA in German translation. There are so many words that are mistranslated or get lost in translation, such as this one. Streusel refers to anything that is scattered or strewn. The classic German Streusel recipe is a bit heavier than what Americans would consider Streusel to be. Think of a German coffee cake, where half of the cake is the topping – heavy, sweet, and heavy. I’ve noticed that Americans tend to call anything remotely resembling its kind a Streusel, but the lighter versions are more of a crumble topping with a sand-like texture that shakes off more easily.

Tips for Making Perfect Streusel Crumble Topping

1. Always use cold butter cut into cubes. Using room temperature butter will ruin your Streusel.
2. Never use baking powder or baking soda – only use all-purpose flour. That’s all you need.
3. You can use all granulated white sugar or a 50/50 combination of white and brown sugar, or 100% brown sugar.
4. Do not use a mixer. Make Streusel with your hands – it’s fast and easy. But don’t use the palms of your hands. Only use the tips of your fingers and pinch the butter, flour and sugar mixture together so that the result is a mass of crumbs. If you use the palms of your hands, the butter will soften too much and ruin the Streusel.

Recipe for Basic Homemade Streusel Topping

The following basic Streusel recipe is the one I prefer most and is so versatile. I use it to top off muffins, cakes, and as a basis for filo dough and pastry fillings.

The Basic Ingredients for Streusel:

1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar

1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

1/2 cup (100g) flour (all-purpose)

Pinch of salt

1/4 cup (55g) cold butter, cut into cubes

Low-fat tip: I made Streusel with half the butter (2 Tbsp) and it actually worked. It doesn’t hold as well and shakes off much more easily, but the taste was still there. (I”m sure my ex German mother-in-law would go through the roof if she could read this!)

Directions

Combine all ingredients and mix into a crumble mass by pinching with your fingertips. That’s all.

Variations

The options are endless! The classic: 1 1/2 tsp cinammon

You can grind and add your favorite nuts or spices, such as ground almonds, walnuts, cardamon, anise, cloves …

I used freshly grated ginger and ground almonds to top my White Peach Buttermilk Muffins.

Try out my White Peach Buttermilk Muffins with Ginger Almond Streusel Recipe.

I used the classic Streusel Topping for my beautifully delicious blueberry muffins. Try out my

Allison Antalek