Apple Streusel

Apple streusel is a pretty fuss-free recipe, designed to come together with minimal ingredients and effort. In addition, this version of streusel is a slow-cooker dessert, so you can set it and forget it until it’s done.

And if you’re wondering about the difference between streusel and crumble, the two are nearly the same, though a crumble tends to include more sugar. We recommend making this streusel topping as directed to begin with, then make any changes you may like when you remake the recipe later on down the line.

Apple Streusel Ingredients

• Apples: Because the apples are going to be baked, it’s good to go with a tart, crisp apple for this recipe. If it helps, these are the best apples for baking, cooking and eating.
• Spices: Warming spices like cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg are aromatic and comforting. To add to the mix, consider using ginger, cloves and cardamom.
• Milk: Using 2% or whole milk is best for this recipe, as some fat helps bind the ingredients together. If you don’t want to use dairy milk, you can substitute it for coconut milk instead.
• Butter: At about 80% fat, butter also helps hold things together, as well as imparting a rich flavor and texture. You’ll want to start this recipe with softened butter.
• Sugar: This portion of the recipe calls for granulated cane sugar, but you can also use an unrefined sugar like panela for extra flavor. You can readily find it online or at a Latino market.
• Eggs: Both the fat in the yolks and the protein in the whites are important for baking, as they help cohere and bring structure to a dessert.
• Vanilla extract: It doesn’t take much vanilla to make a big difference in flavor and aroma. If you want, you can either substitute it for almond extract or simply add a little bit of both to this recipe.
• Biscuit mix: A premade mix typically includes all-purpose flour, dried buttermilk and a leavening agent like baking soda. If you prefer to make your own biscuit mix, that works too.

Topping:

• Biscuit mix: Streusel is made from butter, flour and sugar, so biscuit mix is an important part of taking this recipe from baked apples to a proper apple streusel.
• Brown sugar: Thanks to the addition of molasses, brown sugar has more moisture and flavor than regular cane sugar. It’s particularly useful for a topping like streusel, because while you want it to be crumbly, you don’t want it to be dry.
• Butter: To keep the streusel together, you need a binder. Enter butter—with its high fat content it easily achieves this task.
• Almonds: Slivered almonds add a nice crunch to this otherwise soft and unctuous dessert. Feel free to use pecans instead of almonds in this apple streusel recipe.
• Whipped cream (optional): When is whipped cream truly necessary? It simply adds a little extra oomph. Making homemade whipped cream is such a treat.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the apples

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In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Then place the spiced apples in a greased 3-quart slow cooker.

Step 2: Make the filling

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In a small bowl, combine the milk, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla and biscuit mix, whisking just until smooth. Spoon the mixture over the apples.

Step 3: Make the streusel

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In a large bowl, combine the biscuit mix and brown sugar, then cut in the cold cubed butter and hand-mix until the mixture is crumbly. Add the almonds, then sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples.

Step 4: Slow-cook and serve

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Cook, covered, on low heat for six to eight hours, or until the apples are tender. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

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Apple Streusel Variations

• Change up the topping: A popular variation on streusel is to add oats to the mix, which brings more flavor and texture.
• Experiment with your streusel: An American-style streusel uses sugar, butter and flour in a 3-to-1-to-2 or 3-to-3-to-1 ratio, while a German-style streusel uses these ingredients in a 1-to-1-to-2 ratio. Try both and see which you prefer.
• Add a spirit: While the alcohol will cook off, you may find that a good brandy, bourbon or even spiced rum adds a depth of flavor to this dessert that you enjoy.

How to Store Apple Streusel

To store apple streusel, first allow it to come to room temperature. Then transfer any leftovers to an airtight container, where it can keep in the fridge for up to five days. That said, if you know you’ll have leftovers, you may want to bake the filling separately from the streusel topping and only add the two when you’re ready to serve.

Can you freeze apple streusel?

Yes, you can freeze apple streusel, though you may find its texture changes as a result. This is because the cell walls of apples (as well as any fruit or vegetable) degrade when frozen, causing the fruit to become a bit more mushy.
To freeze this recipe, allow the apple streusel to come to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container, then store it in the freezer for up to three months.

Apple Streusel Tips

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What’s the difference between apple strudel and apple streusel?

While they sound similar, the two are distinct. A strudel can be either savory or sweet, and it’s made by wrapping a filling in sheets of pastry dough. A streusel is a deconstructed dessert, served in a bowl and eaten with a spoon.

How to prevent streusel from becoming soggy?

Although it will take a little extra effort, you can prebake the streusel for a crispier result. To do this, prepare the streusel mixture and spread it evenly on a baking sheet. Bake it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until the topping is lightly browned.

Why isn’t my streusel crumbly?

This could happen for a couple of reasons. First, you may have overmixed the streusel, taking the ingredients from crumbly to completely blended. Second, you may have added butter that was too warm, which melts the sugar instead of encouraging it to keep its granular texture.