Streusel Topping

Makes: About 2 cups

Time: About 10 minutes

This sweet, buttery crumble is the familiar and addictive topping on many breads and muffins—just sprinkle over the top before baking—as well as Blackberry Buckle and fruit pies of all sorts. You can omit the nuts, vary the spices, sub in oats or almond flour for half of the flour, or add 3 tablespoons cocoa powder to make a chocolate streusel.

• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or other nuts, or unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon, or to taste
• 1 cup flour, or more as needed Pinch of salt

1. Cream the butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer, food processor, or fork. Stir or pulse in the remaining ingredients until combined and crumbly; it won’t hold together like a dough.

2. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the muffins, quick bread, pie, crisp, or other item, covering the filling, then bake as the recipe directs.