Streuselkuchen (German Crumb Cake) vs Maids of Honour Tarts

Both bakes lean on butter and sugar, yet they put them to very different work. The Streuselkuchen splits each between a soft yeast dough enriched with milk and egg, left to rise until doubled, and a topping of cold butter rubbed into flour and sugar for distinct, golden crumbs. The Maids of Honour Tarts rub cold butter into flour for a thin pastry case, saving the sugar for a smooth filling of ricotta, ground almonds, egg yolk, lemon zest and vanilla that bakes until set. One is a soft, risen cake crowned with crumbs; the other, small tarts with a creamy, nutty, lemon-bright centre.