Chocolate Cookie Crumble Topping

My daughter discovered this magic on a rainy Sunday afternoon when she was trying to salvage a slightly crushed package of chocolate sandwich cookies. She mixed the crumbs with melted butter and what emerged was this impossibly rich, crunchy topping that transformed our plain vanilla ice cream into something restaurant worthy. Now it is our go to whenever we need an instant dessert upgrade.

Last summer I made a triple batch for my nieces birthday party and the kids went absolutely wild for it. They were sneaking back into the kitchen just to grab handfuls of the crumble plain, which honestly I cannot blame them for doing. The buttery chocolate crunch is addictive on its own.

Ingredients

• 10 chocolate sandwich cookies: Oreos work perfectly but any chocolate sandwich cookie will do
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted: This binds the crumbs together into that perfect sandy texture
• 1 tablespoon chopped dark chocolate: Optional but adds these lovely little pockets of melted chocolate
• 1 tablespoon chopped toasted nuts: Hazelnuts or walnuts bring a nice crunch and earthiness
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt: Just a tiny pinch makes all the chocolate flavors pop

Instructions

Crush the cookies:

Pulse the chocolate sandwich cookies in a food processor until you have coarse crumbs. Alternatively place them in a resealable bag and crush with a rolling pin until no large pieces remain.

Mix in the butter:

Transfer the crumbs to a mixing bowl and pour the melted butter over them. Stir until every crumb is evenly coated and the mixture looks like wet sand.

Add your extras:

Fold in any optional add ins like chopped dark chocolate toasted nuts or that pinch of sea salt if you are using them.

Sprinkle and serve:

Scatter the crumble generously over ice cream yogurt pies or puddings. The crunch is best right after making it but it holds up beautifully for days.

Save

This topping has become such a staple in our house that I keep a small jar of it on the counter at all times. There is something so satisfying about reaching into the fridge for yogurt and knowing you can make it feel decadent in thirty seconds flat.

Making It Your Own

Once you have the basic cookie and butter ratio down you can really play around with flavors. I have added cinnamon to make it feel cozy in winter and a pinch of espresso powder when serving over coffee ice cream. The variations are endless.

Storage Tips

Keep your crumble in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. After that the texture starts to soften though it still tastes delicious. I have never had it last longer than two days in my house anyway.

Serving Ideas

Beyond ice cream this crumble works wonders stirred into oatmeal sprinkled over warm fruit crisp or layered into parfait glasses with whipped cream. It is one of those versatile toppings that makes almost everything better.

• Try it over hot chocolate with marshmallows on top
• Mix a spoonful into your favorite cookie dough recipe
• Sprinkle over banana bread before baking for a crunchy topping

Save

Sometimes the simplest additions make the biggest difference in the kitchen. This little crumble has saved more last minute desserts than I can count.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use gluten-free cookies for the crumble?

Yes, gluten-free chocolate cookies can replace regular ones to make the crumble gluten-free without altering the texture significantly.

→ How do I achieve a crunchy texture without cooking?

Crushing chocolate cookies and mixing them with melted butter creates a naturally crunchy topping without any baking required.

→ What optional ingredients enhance the topping's flavor?

Chopped dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and a pinch of sea salt are great add-ins that add depth and richness to the crumble.

→ How should I store leftovers?

Keep any unused crumble in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to preserve freshness.

→ Can I prepare this topping in advance?

Yes, the crumble can be made ahead of time and stored; just give it a quick stir before serving to refresh the texture.