streusel

American  

[shtroi-zuhl, stroo-zuhl, stroi-] / ˈʃtrɔɪ zəl, ˈstru zəl, ˈstrɔɪ- /

noun

1. a topping for coffeecake, consisting of crumbs of blended sugar, cinnamon, flour, butter, and chopped nutmeats.

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streusel British  

/ ˈstruːsəl, ˈstrɔɪ-, ˈʃtrɔyzəl /

noun

1. a crumbly topping for rich pastries

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Etymology

Origin of streusel

1925–30; < German: literally, a sprinkling; see strew

Explanation

Streusel is a sweet, crumbly topping for baked goods. If you're not a fan of pie crust, you might prefer pies with streusel on top. Yum! Typically, streusel is made with butter, flour, and sugar, sometimes with added ingredients like oats, spices, or nuts. Besides pies, sweets that often have a streusel topping include coffee cake, muffins, cakes, and fruit crisps. In German, Streusel means "something scattered or sprinkled," which is exactly what a baker does with streusel before baking.

Example Sentences

It should carry a thick streusel crown and a deep ribbon of cinnamon without collapsing under their weight.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

Erin Jeanne McDowell revamped a seemingly ordinary pie with homemade streusel.

From Salon • May 23, 2025

Sichuan chile crisp sundae with peanut streusel is an unexpected combination that works.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2023

This pumpkin-packed crumb cake topped with spicy, crispy streusel and an optional glaze is just the thing for an afternoon snack.

From New York Times • Oct. 12, 2022

You asked for fruit crumble and we delivered in a big way: with a pistachio streusel sprinkled generously over the stone fruit filling.

From Salon • May 17, 2022