Crumble topping is a sweet and crunchy topping used in desserts like fruit crumbles, crisps, and cobblers. It provides a delicious contrast of texture to the soft fruit filling. Crumble topping is simple to make, requiring just a few ingredients you likely have on hand. But what exactly goes into this classic dessert topping?
The Main Ingredients
There are three main ingredients that make up a basic crumble topping:
Flour
Flour provides the base structure and bulk of a crumble topping. Typically, all-purpose flour is used, but cake flour or whole wheat flour can also work. The flour coats the butter and sugar particles to create a coarse, crumbly texture when baked. Approximately 1 cup of flour is used for a standard crumble recipe serving 6-8 people.
Butter
Butter is essential for creating flaky, buttery crumbs in crumble topping. It coats the flour particles and melts when baked, allowing crumbs to brown. Butter also provides rich flavor. Somewhere between 1/2 cup to 1 cup of chilled butter is usually incorporated into a crumble topping. Salted or unsalted butter works well.
Sugar
Sugar adds sweetness, enhances browning, and helps bind the crumbs. White granulated sugar is most commonly used, but light or dark brown sugars, can also be substituted for more molasses flavor. Usually 1/2 to 1 cup of sugar is added to a crumble recipe.
Other Common Crumble Topping Ingredients
In addition to the core ingredients above, crumble toppings often include:
Oats
Rolled or old-fashioned oats add nutty flavor and great texture to crumble topping. About 1/2 to 1 cup is typical.
Nuts
Chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts boost flavor and crunch. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup.
Spices
Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger nicely complement fruit crumbles. Use 1-2 teaspoons.
Salt
A pinch of salt enhances overall flavor. Usually 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon is added.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
| Butter | 1/2 – 1 cup |
| Sugar | 1/2 – 1 cup |
| Oats | 1/2 – 1 cup |
| Nuts | 1/4 – 1/2 cup |
| Spices | 1-2 tsp |
| Salt | 1/4 – 1/2 tsp |
How to Make Crumble Topping
Here is a step-by-step guide to making classic crumble topping:
Combine dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, spices, oats, and nuts if using. Use a fork to break up any large clumps.
Cut in cold butter
Cut the chilled butter into small cubes. Toss butter cubes into the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender, two forks, or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry mixture until pea-sized crumbs form. Work quickly to keep the butter cold.
Freeze crumble topping
For extra flaky crumbs, you can freeze the crumble topping for 15-30 minutes before using. The chilled butter re-solidifies to create greater pockets of air.
Crumble over fruit filling
Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over your fruit filling placed in a baking dish. Bake according to your recipe instructions until golden brown.
Crumble Topping Variations
While the basic crumble recipe uses ingredients you likely have on hand, you can also get creative with mix-ins and substitutions. Popular crumble topping tweaks include:
Using brown sugar or coconut sugar
For deeper flavor, use brown sugar, coconut sugar, or a blend in place of granulated white sugar.
Adding vanilla extract
Vanilla enhances the sweetness and gives richer flavor. Use 1-2 teaspoons.
Using oat flour
For extra nutrition, substitute 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the all-purpose flour with oat flour.
Adding cornmeal
Cornmeal gives the crumble an appealing coarse, gritty texture. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup.
Using almond, coconut, or pecan meal
Substitute up to 1/4 cup of the flour with nut meals for flavor.
Mixing in dried fruit, coconut, or chocolate chips
Get creative with mix-ins like chopped dried apricots, dried cranberries, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, etc.
What Fruits Work Best for Crumble?
Crumble topping is highly versatile and pairs well with many fruits. The best fruits for crumble have a tart flavor and become soft when baked. Great options include:
Apples
Classic apple crumble is one of the most popular desserts. Choose sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala.
Berries
Raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries all make fantastic crumbles.
Stone Fruits
Peaches, nectarines, plums, and apricots work beautifully in crumbles.
Pears
Bartlett or Bosc pears bake up perfectly tender underneath a crispy topping.
Rhubarb
Tart rhubarb softens with heat and makes a stellar spring crumble.
Mangoes
Use ripe, in-season mangoes for a tropical crumble twist.
Cherries
Both sweet and sour cherries pair nicely with crumble topping.
Crumble Topping Storage
Crumble topping prepared ahead on its own can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Let it come fully to room temperature before using.
The full dessert assembled with fruit can be covered and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking.
Baked fruit crumbles, crisps, and cobblers keep well refrigerated for 4-5 days. Reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
You can also freeze baked crumbles. Let them cool completely first, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
Tips for Perfect Crumble Topping
Follow these tips for crumble topping with the ideal texture:
Keep the butter cold
Cold butter is key for creating light, flaky crumbs that hold their shape when baked. Work quickly when cutting it in.
Don’t overmix
Just mix until the flour and butter come together in pea-sized pieces. Avoid compressing the dough too much.
Use coarse sugar
Granulated sugar adds great crunchy texture. Superfine sugar dissolves more and can lead to a compact topping.
Chill the dough
For bonus flakiness, refrigerate or freeze the crumble topping for 15-30 minutes before baking.
Use slightly underripe fruit
Slightly underripe fruit maintains its shape better during baking. Overripe fruit can turn too mushy and wet.
Scatter topping evenly
Distribute the crumble in an even layer so every bite includes some topping.
Conclusion
Crumble topping is easy to throw together with pantry staples like flour, butter, and sugar. The keys are keeping the butter cold for a light texture and not over-mixing. Pair crumble topping with juicy cooked fruit like apples or berries for a comforting classic dessert. Creatively adapt the basic recipe to put your own spin on this baked crowd-pleaser.