Can you bake with yum crumbs?

What are yum crumbs?

Yum crumbs are essentially cookie crumbs or cake crumbs. They are the leftover pieces and crumbs from baked goods like cookies, cakes, muffins, etc. When you bake cookies or other treats, there are often scraps leftover after cutting out shapes or breaking apart baked items. These small bits are referred to as “crumbs.”

Crumbs can come from any type of baked good – chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, sugar cookies, gingerbread, shortbread, pound cake, sponge cake, cinnamon rolls, coffee cake, muffins, scones, etc. Different types of baked goods will produce different types of crumbs. For example, cake crumbs are fluffier while cookie crumbs are often crunchy.

Some people save these yum crumbs in a jar or bag to use for baking later on. The crumbs add extra flavor, texture, and fun to whatever you add them too. So “yum crumbs” refers to these baked good leftovers that are saved and reused.

Why save and use yum crumbs?

There are several benefits to saving yum crumbs:

• Reduce food waste – Baking crumbs are easy to toss out, but saving them cuts down on wasted food.
• Extra flavor – Crumbs add rich flavor from sugars, butter/oil, chocolate, spices, etc. in the original baked item.
• New textures – Crumbs can add delicious crunchy or fluffy textures when baked into something new.
• Fun mix-ins – Mixing in different crumbs adds interest with nuts, chocolate chips, oats, etc. from the original item.
• Use leftovers – They help use up every last bit of those baked goods.
• Economical – Taking advantage of crumbs is cheaper than starting a recipe completely from scratch.
• Creative – Crumbs inspire creativity and customization in new bakes.

Overall, saving yum crumbs gives you a simple way to reduce waste, add new flavors and textures, and save a bit of money when baking new treats.

How to Store Crumbs for Later Use

To save yum crumbs for later baking, follow these storage tips:

• Let crumbs cool completely before storage so moisture does not build up.
• Store in an airtight container like a jar, plastic bag, or plastic container. Metal tins also work well.
• Glass jars or clear plastic containers allow you to easily see your crumb collection.
• Make sure container is clean and dry before adding crumbs.
• Label the container with crumb variety and date if storing for longer periods.
• Keep containers in a cool, dry place like the pantry or cupboard.
• Only keep 3-6 months before using.
• Place cookies crumbs on one side and cake crumbs on the other to easily see which is which.
• If storing multiple types of crumbs, consider dividing into separate small containers or bags.
• Freeze cake and quick bread crumbs for longer storage life, up to a year.
• For easier use, break up large chunks or clumps of crumbs before storage.

Proper storage keeps the crumbs tasting fresh. Now let’s look at how to actually use those tasty crumbs!

Baking Uses for Yum Crumbs

There are endless ways to bake with crumbs and add them to all sorts of treats. Here are some of the most popular uses for yum crumbs:

Cookie Crumbs

• Mix into cookie dough forvariety – chocolate chip, sugar, oatmeal, etc.
• Press into the bottom crust for bar cookies like lemon bars.
• Fold into frosting or fillings for extra texture.
• Add to scones or biscuits for a crunchy topping.
• Coat the outside of truffles and cake balls.
• Layer in trifles or parfaits for added crunch.
• Top cupcakes or muffins with crumbs before baking.
• Make homemade cake, muffin or quick bread mixes with crumbs.
• Fold into bread or muffin batters like banana or pumpkin.
• Mix into granola bar or energy bite recipes.

Cake and Quick Bread Crumbs

• Fold into pancake, waffle or crepe batters.
• Stir into cake batter for extra moistness and texture.
• Top cakes, cupcakes or brownies with crumbs.
• Mix into bread or sweet quick bread doughs.
• Thicken up smoothies or shakes.
• Make homemade bread, muffin or cake mixes.
• Use as binder in vegetarian burger or loaf recipes.
• Coat bars, snacks or other baked treats.
• Mix into oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese or chia pudding.

Yum Crumb Baking Recipe Inspiration

For inspiration, here are some delicious recipes using yum crumbs:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Crumb Bars

Buttery shortbread loaded with chocolate chip cookie crumbs!

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 tsp salt
• 3⁄4 cup chocolate chip cookie crumbs
• 1 1⁄2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides.
2. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Mix in flour and salt until dough forms.
3. Reserve 1 cup of dough and press remainder evenly into prepared pan.
4. Sprinkle cookie crumbs evenly over crust, pressing down lightly. Top with chocolate chips.
5. Crumble reserved dough over top. Bake 30-35 minutes until lightly browned.
6. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

Lemon Crumb Muffins

Fluffy lemon muffins with a double crumb topping!

Ingredients:

Muffins:

• 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup milk
• 1⁄2 cup vegetable oil
• Zest from 2 lemons (about 2 tbsp)
• 1⁄4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla

Streusel Topping:

• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1⁄4 tsp cinnamon
• 1⁄4 cup lemon cake crumbs

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, beat sugar, eggs, milk, oil, lemon zest and juice, and vanilla until combined.
3. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
4. To make streusel, mix together flour, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon with a fork until crumbly. Mix in lemon crumbs.
5. Fill muffin cups about 2⁄3 full. Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over muffins.
6. Bake 17-20 minutes until light golden brown. Let cool before removing from pan.

Upside Down Pumpkin Spice Cake

Caramelized pineapple topping baked under a pumpkin spiced cake!

Ingredients:

Topping:

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar
• 5-6 pineapple rings, from one 20oz can

Cake:

• 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3⁄4 tsp baking soda
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 cup pumpkin bread or cake crumbs

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter.
2. Melt 3 tbsp butter in pan over medium heat. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly in pan. Arrange pineapple rings in a single layer. Cook 2 minutes until sugar dissolves.
3. Whisk flour, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. In another bowl, whisk sugar, pumpkin, milk, egg, melted butter and vanilla.
4. Stir dry ingredients into wet just until combined. Fold in pumpkin crumbs. Pour over pineapple rings.
5. Bake 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool 15 minutes.
6. Run a knife around edges of pan and invert onto serving plate to unmold. Slice and serve!

Tips for Successful Crumb Baking

Here are some helpful tips for baking delicious treats with crumbs:

• Start with fresh, unspoiled crumbs within 3-6 months for best flavor.
• Use crumbs appropriate for the recipe. Cookie crumbs are usually best in sweet items. Quick bread crumbs work well in breads.
• Fold or gently mix crumbs into batters to evenly distribute without deflating batter.
• Add crumbs along with any dry ingredients or mix-ins to prevent sinking.
• When topping items, press or pack down crumbs lightly so they adhere.
• For a crumb coating, brush baked items first with milk, egg wash or melted butter/oil before pressing on crumbs.
• Reduce other sugars slightly when using sweet crumbs like cookies.
• Start with a smaller amount of crumbs, 1⁄4 – 1⁄2 cup, and adjust to taste later if needed.
• Crumble larger chunks with your fingers for easier mixing and even baking.
• Pair crumbs with complementary flavors like lemon cake crumbs in lemon muffins.

Have fun experimenting with crumbs in your favorite bake recipes for added flavor, texture and creativity!

Frequently Asked Questions About Baking with Crumbs

Here are answers to some common questions about using up yum crumbs:

Can I freeze leftover crumbs?

Yes, you can freeze cookie, cake, muffin and quick bread crumbs for longer storage. Allow crumbs to cool completely then store in an airtight freezer bag or container. Make sure to press out excess air. Label crumbs with the date. Use frozen crumbs within 9-12 months. Thaw at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator before using.

How long do fresh crumbs last?

In an airtight container at room temperature, cookie crumbs last 1-2 months and cake/bread crumbs last 3-6 months. If storing mixed crumbs, use the shorter freshness timeline. Freeze for longer storage.

What’s the best way to use stale crumbs?

If crumbs lose their freshness, use them in recipes where a softer texture won’t matter as much. Fold into cookie dough, pancake or waffle batter, quick breads, shakes, homemade cake mix, etc. Avoid eating stale crumbs plain or using as a crunchy topping.

Can I use crumb mixes and flavors in the same recipe?

Yes, you can mix different types of crumbs together in one recipe, such as chocolate chip cookies with zucchini bread crumbs or yellow cake with gingerbread crumbs. Get creative with flavors and textures! Just keep the total amount of added crumbs moderate.

How do I make plain cake or cookie crumbs from scratch?

Make fresh fine crumbs by processing sliced baked goods in a food processor or blender until they reach desired crumb size. Or, place in a sealed bag and crush with a rolling pin. Homemade crumbs won’t have as much flavor as ones leftover from mixing and cutting baked goods, but still add texture.

What are some savory uses for crumbs?

Savory bread or biscuit crumbs can coat fish, chicken or chops before frying or baking. Use with crackers or chips to crust a casserole. Add oatmeal cookie crumbs to meatloaf. Sprinkle scone or biscuit crumbs on soup or salads for crunch. The options are endless for using up crumbs!

Conclusion

Yum crumbs are a tasty way to reduce food waste and add new flavor to all kinds of baked treats. Whether using cookie, cake, bread or muffin crumbs, there are endless baking options like adding them to cookie doughs, cake batters, breads, pancakes, bars, muffins, crumbs toppings and more.

With proper storage in an airtight container, the crumbs will stay fresh for months before using. Make sure to use them within 3-6 months for best quality and taste. Frozen crumbs keep even longer.

Get creative with crumbs by mixing flavors and textures. The combinations are endless! With a little innovation, you can give favorite recipes a delicious twist with those leftover baked bits.