In baking an pastry making, the term streusel (a German word meaning "something scattered or sprinkled", from the verb streuen, akin to the English verb 'strew') refers to a crumb topping of butter, flour, and sugar (traditional German) that is baked on top of muffins, breads, and cakes (e.g. Streuselkuchen). Some modern recipes add various spices and occasionally chopped nutmeats. Although the topping is of German origin, it is sometimes referred to as Danish or Swedish.