Save This rich chocolate cookie crumble combines crushed chocolate sandwich cookies with melted butter for a crunchy, buttery topping. Simply pulse cookies into coarse crumbs, mix with butter until resembling wet sand, and add optional dark chocolate, toasted nuts, or sea salt for extra flavor. Sprinkle generously over ice cream, yogurt, pies, or puddings. Stores in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Last winter during a movie marathon, my friend Sarah showed up with a pint of vanilla bean ice cream and a mysterious Ziploc bag. She poured these dark, buttery crumbs over our bowls and suddenly plain ice cream became the kind of dessert you find at fancy restaurants. I've been keeping a batch in my pantry ever since.
My daughter asked for ice cream with 'the dirt on top' after her first taste, and honestly thats the best name I've heard for it. We've started keeping a small jar by the ice cream scoop because everyone who visits seems to know about it now.
Ingredients
- 10 chocolate sandwich cookies: Oreos work perfectly but any chocolate sandwich cookies will do, just remove the filling if you prefer a less sweet crumble
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: This binds everything together and adds that rich, bake shop flavor you cant get from dry crumbs alone
- 1 tablespoon chopped dark chocolate: Optional but these little pockets of melted chocolate throughout the crumble are absolutely worth it
- 1 tablespoon chopped toasted nuts: Hazelnuts or walnuts add wonderful texture and a nutty depth
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt: Just enough to make the chocolate pop without making it taste like a salted caramel dessert
Instructions
- Crush the cookies:
- Pulse the cookies in a food processor until you have coarse, sandy crumbs, or place them in a sealed bag and crush with a rolling pin until no large pieces remain.
- Add the butter:
- Pour the melted butter over the crumbs and mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated and looks like damp sand that holds together when squeezed.
- Mix in your extras:
- Fold in the chopped chocolate, nuts, or sea salt if using, distributing them evenly throughout the buttery crumbs.
- Sprinkle and serve:
- Generously scatter the crumble over ice cream, yogurt, pies, or puddings while the dessert is still fresh for the best texture contrast.
- Store leftovers:
- Keep any unused crumble in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, though it rarely lasts that long in my house.
Save This crumble saved a slightly over baked peach pie last month. The buttery crunch disguised the imperfection and my family actually asked for seconds. Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones.
Make It Your Own
I've started adding a tiny pinch of cinnamon to holiday batches, and espresso powder works beautifully if you want to intensify the chocolate flavor. A teaspoon of cocoa powder mixed into the crumbs creates an even deeper chocolate experience.
Serving Ideas
Beyond the obvious ice cream topping, try this over warm rice pudding, layered in a trifle with whipped cream, or sprinkled on top of cheesecake right before serving. It adds instant sophistication to any dessert.
Storage Secrets
While this topping is best fresh, making a double batch means youre always ready for impromptu dessert moments. The texture stays perfect for days, and having it on hand encourages creativity with simple desserts.
- Keep a small jar near your coffee station for sprinkling on mocha whipped cream
- Mix a spoonful into your morning oatmeal for a chocolate breakfast treat
- Press into the bottom of a tart pan for an instant no bake crust
Save Sometimes the smallest touches make the biggest difference in what we serve the people we love.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make this crumble gluten-free?
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Yes, simply use gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies instead of regular ones. The preparation method remains exactly the same.
- → How do I crush the cookies without a food processor?
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Place the cookies in a resealable plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until you reach your desired crumb texture.
- → How long does this crumble topping last?
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Store leftover crumble in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It's best used fresh but can be made ahead.
- → What desserts work best with this topping?
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This crumble pairs perfectly with ice cream, yogurt, pies, puddings, or any dessert that benefits from a crunchy chocolate texture contrast.
- → Can I freeze the crumble for later use?
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Yes, freeze the crumble in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before sprinkling over desserts.
