The Ardent Epicure

Here is an extremely simple recipe for a delicious streusel topping you can use in a variety of breakfast foods and desserts, from blueberry muffins, to coffee cake and cobbler.

Ingredients
2/3 cup of flour
1/4 cup granulated white sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar (you can also use light if you prefer)
About 1/2 cup of butter, melted

Note: in the mixture shown below, I used 2/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup white sugar, and 1/4 cup dark brown sugar.  I also added some vanilla into the butter (just a tad), and I added about a teaspoon of cinnamon into the dry ingredients, for a little added flavor.  Since the dark brown sugar is so moist, I had to add a few more tablespoons of flour to obtain the correct consistency.  If you are trying to create a more sweet topping, you may add more white sugar when this happens.

Directions

Place the flour and sugar in a medium to large mixing bowl.

Slowly stir in the melted butter with a large spoon, mixing thoroughly.

Continue to add butter until the mixture reaches a crumbly streusel consistency.  If there are any dry parts with pure flour or sugar, you need to add more butter until the entire mixture is just moist.  Do not add more butter after this point, as you do not want the mixture to become wet. 
That's it!


Variations
If you want a sweeter mixture, use equal parts flour and sugar; adjust the butter to compensate. (Note that this will create a much sweeter taste, and may not be proper for use in all desserts).

If you prefer the classic taste of pure white sugar (meaning streusel without brown sugar), you may use entirely white sugar for this recipe.  Note that due to the drier texture white sugar as compared with brown, you may need to use slightly more butter.

If you enjoy the heavier molasses taste of brown sugar, you may use all brown sugar in place of white.  Note that this may require you to use slightly less butter.

Also, if you have both, try mixing white, dark brown, and light brown sugars, for a more balanced flavor.  Test it out to find a combination you enjoy!

If you desire, you may add a teaspoon of cinnamon to your mixture, for added flavor.


Usage Idea

Try taking your streusel mixture, and sprinkling some over vanilla ice cream.  This makes a delicious but simple dessert that will leave you wanting more.  (If you have a sweet tooth, the 1:1 ratio of flour to sugar mixture recipe works great for this dish!)