Home > Cooking Guides > How To Make Streusel How To Make Streusel February 6, 2023 | No Comments SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. When it comes to baking, there are few things that can elevate a simple dessert to the next level quite like a crunchy, sweet, and buttery streusel topping. Homemade streusel can add a deliciously sweet and textured element to your baked goods, whether you’re making a fruit pie, coffee cake, or muffins. But with so many different variations out there, how can you be sure you’re making the perfect streusel for your next dessert? In this recipe, we’ll spill all our secrets for “How To Make Streusel” that comes out perfectly every time! In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make a classic streusel using just a few simple ingredients. It’s easy to make and pairs well with a variety of different desserts. We’ll also share some tips for getting the best texture and flavor, plus offer plenty of ideas on how to use your perfect streusel! The Secret To Better Baked Goods: Streusel If you’re a fan of sweet and crunchy toppings, then you don’t sleep on this streusel recipe! Unlike other recipes that call for cutting in cold butter, we’ve made things easier. We use melted butter, so there’s no need for any special kitchen tools like mixers or dough blenders. This recipe is simple and straightforward and uses just a handful of basic ingredients like flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of salt. After mixing everything together, you’ll end up with a coarse, crumbly, sweet mixture that’s perfect for topping pies, coffee cakes, muffins, and more. Not only is this recipe easy to make, but it’s also incredibly versatile. You can customize the flavors by adding different spices like nutmeg, cardamom or even some chopped nuts for extra crunch. Streusel Ingredients Butter: The melted butter in this recipe delivers a rich, buttery flavor. Be sure to melt the butter and let it cool to room temperature before mixing it with the dry ingredients. This will help prevent the streusel from becoming too greasy. Flour: All-purpose flour is the base of this recipe, providing the structure and texture needed to create the crumbly topping. Be sure to measure the flour accurately by leveling off the top of the measuring cup with a knife. Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness and moisture to the streusel, as well as a subtle molasses flavor. Use fresh, soft brown sugar so the streusel doesn’t end up dry with chunks of hardened sugar! Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a classic spice that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the streusel and adds a nice touch of flavor. Salt: A pinch of salt helps to balance out the sweetness and enhance its overall flavor. Use fine sea salt or kosher salt for the best results. How To Use Homemade Streusel Homemade streusel is a simple and delicious way to add a sweet and crunchy topping to your favorite baked goods. Here are some of the most common ways to use it: Pies: Use streusel as a delicious alternative to a traditional pie crust. Simply sprinkle the streusel over the fruit filling before baking, and you’ll have a sweet and crunchy topping that pairs perfectly with the juicy fruit. We love it on this Apple Streusel Pie! Coffee cakes: Streusel and coffee cakes are a classic combination, adding a sweet and textured element to the moist cake. Layer the streusel between the layers of the cake batter, or sprinkle it on top before baking. (Try our Apple Coffee Cake, Blueberry Coffee Cake, Pumpkin Coffee Cake, or these bakery-style Coffee Cake Cookies). Muffins: Take your muffins from ordinary to extraordinary! Simply sprinkle the streusel on top of the muffin batter before baking for a crunchy, sweet topping. Sprinkle on top of these Pumpkin Muffins, Healthy Blueberry Muffins, or Banana Crumb Muffins. Uses, Continued Crisps and crumbles: A streusel topping is the perfect finishing touch for a fruit crisp or crumble. Sprinkle it over the fruit filling and bake until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbly. We love the addition of streusel on this Apple Crumble, Blueberry Crisp, or Cherry Crisp. Quick breads: Streusel is a great way to add a sweet and crunchy topping to sweet breads like Banana Bread, Pumpkin Bread, or Zucchini Bread. Sprinkle on top of the batter before baking for a delicious and impressive-looking loaf. How To Make Streusel Use room-temperature melted butter: It’s important to use melted butter that has slightly cooled. If the butter is too hot from being melted, it can make the streusel greasy. Use your fingers to knead the mixture: If the streusel seems too crumbly, use your fingers to knead the mixture together until it comes together in large clumps. Adjust: If the streusel ends up too wet, add a touch more flour. Too dry? Add a touch more melted butter or knead the mixture for a little longer. VARIATIONS Change Up Your Streusel Swap up the spices: Cinnamon is a classic choice, yet there are many other spices you can use to create different flavor combinations. Try adding a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom for a warm and earthy flavor. Or use one of our favorite spice blends: Apple Pie Spice or Pumpkin Pie Spice. Salted butter: If you don’t have unsalted butter on hand, you can use salted butter instead and simply leave out the additional salt called for in the recipe. Nuts and seeds: Another great way to customize this recipe is by adding some chopped nuts or seeds for extra texture and flavor. Try mixing in roasted and finely chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or add some sunflower or pumpkin seeds. You’ll need slightly less flour with this addition. Add the nuts first then gradually add the flour until perfect consistency is reached! Add Streusel To These Muffin Recipes: Pistachio Muffins sweetened with pure maple syrup Apple Muffins made with Greek yogurt Healthy Carrot Muffins sweetened with dates Healthy Pumpkin Muffins with chocolate chips Flourless Banana Muffins made without any flour! FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Streusel 5 from 1 vote - Review this recipe When it comes to baking, there are few things that can elevate a simple dessert to the next level quite like a crunchy, sweet, and buttery streusel topping. Whether you're making a fruit pie, coffee cake, or muffins, a homemade streusel can add a deliciously sweet and textured element to your baked goods. But with so many different variations out there, how can you be sure you're making the perfect streusel for your next dessert? In this recipe, we'll spill all our secrets for "How To Make Streusel" that comes out perfectly every time! SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Streusel 5 from 1 vote - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe When it comes to baking, there are few things that can elevate a simple dessert to the next level quite like a crunchy, sweet, and buttery streusel topping. Whether you're making a fruit pie, coffee cake, or muffins, a homemade streusel can add a deliciously sweet and textured element to your baked goods. But with so many different variations out there, how can you be sure you're making the perfect streusel for your next dessert? In this recipe, we'll spill all our secrets for "How To Make Streusel" that comes out perfectly every time! Course Dessert, treat Cuisine American, Vegetarian Keyword How to make Streusel, Streusel Prep Time 15 minutes Total Time 15 minutes Servings 12 muffins (enough streusel to top 12 muffins) Calories 123kcal Author Chelsea Lords Cost $3.98 Ingredients▢ 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted & cooled▢ 1 cup white all-purpose flour▢ ½ cup light brown sugar tightly packed (Note 1)▢ ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon▢ ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt InstructionsBUTTER: Melt the butter in the microwave and set it aside to cool a bit. (Do not use hot butter-- it will melt the sugar and result in a greasy streusel.)COMBINE: In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Use a spatula to scrape every bit of cooled melted butter into the bowl. MIX: Stir until ingredients are well combined. KNEAD: If needed, use your fingers to knead the mixture together until it forms coarse crumbs. The streusel is now ready to be used as a topping for pies, cakes, muffins, or any other baked goods. (Sprinkle the streusel on top of the batters/pies/crisps before baking). Recipe NotesNote 1: Brown sugar: Use fresh, soft brown sugar to ensure that the streusel doesn't end up dry with chunks of hardened sugar! Nutrition information is based on 12 servings--what you'd use for muffins, pies, etc. Nutrition FactsServing: 1serving | Calories: 123kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 52mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. 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