Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

streusel

noun
Save Word
streu·​sel | \ ˈstrü-səl How to pronounce streusel (audio) , -zəl, ˈstrȯi-, ˈshtrȯi- \

Definition of streusel

: a crumbly mixture of fat, sugar, and flour and sometimes nuts and spices that is used as topping or filling for cake

Examples of streusel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Sprinkle streusel evenly over the filling, but don’t press down. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Raspberry Streusel Bars recipe," 1 Dec. 2020 Sprinkles, cake crumbs, streusel and truffle bonbons are included for decoration. — New York Times, "Layer Cakes for Any Occasion," 22 Mar. 2021 Brunch additions include crab polenta for $7.50, Applewood smoked bacon for $3 and sweet potato mash with maple-pecan streusel for $7. — Rod Stafford Hagwood, sun-sentinel.com, "The best Passover and Easter restaurant specials," 17 Mar. 2021 Transfer a little less than half the streusel to a small bowl. — Lisa Zwirn, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipe: A little like sour cream coffee cake with streusel, these babka muffins will brighten your weekend," 26 Jan. 2021 Sprinkle half of the chocolate streusel over the batter. — Lisa Zwirn, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipe: A little like sour cream coffee cake with streusel, these babka muffins will brighten your weekend," 26 Jan. 2021 That was blueberry muffins then; this is blueberry muffins now: enhanced with nutritious, low-gluten spelt flour, both in the batter and in the crispy streusel topping. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, "The Most Exciting Cookbook of the Spring Is Roxana Jullapat’s Mother Grains," 26 Jan. 2021 Walnut and Five-Spice Thumbprint Cookies Cookbook author Hetty McKinnon adapted the Chinese walnut cookies of her childhood by topping them with a streusel made with coconut, walnuts, brown sugar and heady five-spice powder. — Washington Post, "12 holiday cookie recipes to end the year on a sweeter note," 2 Dec. 2020 Pumpkin pie, apple pie with oat streusel, pecan pie, Key lime pie and pumpkin cheesecake. — Kristine M. Kierzek, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "If pie baking is a no-go, buy one for Thanksgiving at Milwaukee-area bakeries, restaurants," 12 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'streusel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of streusel

1909, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for streusel

German, literally, something strewn, from Middle High German ströusel, from ströuwen to strew, from Old High German strewen

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about streusel

Time Traveler for streusel

Time Traveler

The first known use of streusel was in 1909

See more words from the same year

Statistics for streusel

Last Updated

7 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Streusel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/streusel. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

Comments on streusel

What made you want to look up streusel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

discomfit

Listen to the pronunciation of discomfit

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

  • one green toy robot amidst many red toy robots
  • Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
AlphaBear 2

Spell words. Make bears.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games