Crumb Toppings

A crumble, also known as a brown betty, is a dish of British origin that can be made in a sweet or savory version, depending on ingredients used, although the sweet version is much more common. It also can be traced to American cuisine during the European colonization of the Americas. The crumble is baked in an oven until the topping is crisp. The dessert variety is often served with custard, cream or ice cream as a hearty, warm dessert after a meal.

I have improvised many crumb toppings, adding coconut either raw or toasted to my crumbs, or even chocolate chips depending on the recipe. 

During WWII – Due to strict rationing, the ingredients required to make the bases of pies contained too much of the necessary flour, fat and sugar to make the crumble. So a simple mixture of flour, margarine and sugar was used to make the top of the crumble. The dish was also popular due to its simplicity.

I have a collection here of crumb toppings to add to your recipes.  Enjoy!

#1 BASIC CRUMB TOPPING:

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup light-brown sugar
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 sticks chilled butter, cut into pieces

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup light-brown sugar, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and cinnamon.
2. Cut 1-1/2 sticks chilled butter into pieces. With your hands, work in butter pieces, until large clumps form. Divide mixture in half; freeze in plastic storage bags.

#2 FRENCH CRUMB TOPPING:

Ingredients

·         1/3 c. butter

·         1/3 c. brown sugar

·         3/4 c. flour

·         1/2 c. chopped nuts

Directions

1.       Mix sugar, flour and nuts together

2.       Cut in butter with fork or pastry cutter until blended.

3.       Refrigerate until ready to use

#3 WALNUT CRUMB TOPPING:

Ingredients

·         1/2 cup all-purpose flour

·         3/4 cup walnuts, chopped

·         1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

·         1/4 teaspoon sea salt  

·         4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

Directions

1.       In a medium bowl, stir together flour, walnuts, brown sugar and salt. Mix in butter with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.

#4 OAT CRUMBLE

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 3/4 cup pecans or almonds, chopped
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup whole-wheat flour or all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 5 tablespoons canola oil

Directions

1.       Mix dry ingredients together and stir in canola oil

2.       Mix with fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs – set aside until ready to use

#5 PRE-MADE CRUMB TOPPING

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients

·         ½ cup Brown sugar

·         ½ cup flour

·         ¼ cup chilled butter

·         Nuts, coconut, flax seed, sunflower seeds (all optional but make great texture)

• Using your hands, mix ingredients together,  It should stick together and form crumbs.
• Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes.
• Crumble any pieces that stuck together and put the crumbs on everything in sight!

Feel free to add the following ingredients to any of your crumb toppings for extra flavor or texture.

·         Nuts

·         Coconut

·         Flax seed

·         Sunflower seeds

·         Cinnamon

·         Cardamom

·         Toffee

·         Chocolate chips

·         Peanut butter chips

·         Cream cheese chunks

·         Shredded cheddar cheese (great on apple anything)

·         M & M’s

·         Drizzle caramel sauce and sprinkle lightly with sea salt

The sky is the limit where your dessert is concerned. Experiment and enjoy!