Imagine a tasty treat called a crumble, also known as a brown betty. It comes from Britain and is now enjoyed worldwide. This dish can be sweet or savory, but the sweet version is most popular. Its history dates back to American cuisine during European colonization. The magic happens when it’s baked until the topping becomes crispy. It is often served warm with cooked fruit, custard, cream, or ice cream, making it a perfect cozy dessert. I enjoy trying different toppings, like toasted coconut, chocolate chips, or raw coconut, to add extra flavor. Whether you want a comforting dessert or a savory snack, crumble toppings are a fun way to improve your recipes. I’ve collected creative topping ideas to inspire your cooking. Get ready to enjoy a crispy, delicious treat that is both nostalgic and exciting—happy baking!

#1 BASIC CRUMB TOPPING

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups of 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 flour, light-brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
2. Cut chilled butter into pieces.
3. Use a pastry cutter or fork to mix the butter into the sugar until it forms large crumbs.
4. Refrigerate until ready to use.

#2 FRENCH CRUMB TOPPING:

Ingredients

• 1/3 cups of chilled butter
• 1/3 cups of brown sugar
• 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of chopped nuts

Directions

1. Mix sugar, flour, and nuts together.
2. Cut in butter with a 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.
2. Cut in butter with a fork or pastry cutter until blended.
3. Refrigerate until ready to use.

#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, then stir in canola oil.
2. Mix with a spoon until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Refrigerate until ready to use.

#5 BAKED CRUMB TOPPING

Ingredients

• ½ cup Brown sugar
• ½ cup flour
• ¼ cup chilled butter
• ¼ cup of nuts, coconut, flaxseed, or sunflower seeds (all optional but make great texture)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. degrees
2. Mix ingredients together; it should stick together and form crumbs.
3. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake for 20 minutes.
5. Crumble any pieces that are clumped together and put the crumbs on everything in sight!

Cook’s Notes:

Add any of the following ingredients to 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 your crumb topping with caramel sauce, and sprinkle lightly with sea salt.

The sky is the limit where your dessert is concerned.

Tagged: baking, brown betty, Crumb topping, dessert, Food, pies, recipe, recipes