Crumble Cookie Recipes: A Delicious Guide to Crunchy Perfection
Crumble cookies – the delightful marriage of chewy cookie and crunchy crumble topping. They offer a delightful textural contrast that elevates the simple cookie to a whole new level of deliciousness. This guide will explore various crumble cookie recipes, highlighting key ingredients and techniques to ensure your baking success. We'll delve into classic recipes and offer variations for unique flavour profiles, ensuring you find the perfect crumble cookie recipe to satisfy your cravings.
Classic Crumble Cookie Recipe
This recipe serves as a fantastic base, allowing you to experiment with different add-ins and flavor combinations later.
Ingredients:
- For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- For the Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Make the Crumble: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, nuts (if using), and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle generously with the crumble topping.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Variations on the Crumble Cookie Theme
The beauty of crumble cookies lies in their adaptability. Here are a few exciting variations to try:
Chocolate Crumble Cookies
Simply add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the cookie dough for a decadent twist. You can also incorporate cocoa powder into the crumble topping for an extra chocolatey kick.
Oatmeal Crumble Cookies
Increase the amount of rolled oats in the crumble topping for a heartier, more oatmeal-like texture. Add raisins or dried cranberries for added sweetness and chewiness.
Lemon Crumble Cookies
Add the zest of one lemon to the cookie dough and a teaspoon of lemon extract to the crumble topping for a refreshing citrusy flavor.
Spice Crumble Cookies
Incorporate warm spices like ginger, nutmeg, and cloves into both the cookie dough and the crumble topping for a cozy and comforting treat.
Tips for Crumble Cookie Success
- Use cold butter: Cold butter is key to a flaky and crunchy crumble topping.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet: Give the cookies enough space to spread out evenly.
- Adjust baking time: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust the baking time as needed.
By following these recipes and tips, you'll be well on your way to baking batches of irresistible crumble cookies. Experiment with different flavors and ingredients to create your own signature crumble cookie recipe! Happy baking!
