Description
This Homemade Cherry Crisp is a delightful dessert featuring a juicy, sweet-tart cherry filling topped with a buttery oat crumble. Baked to golden perfection, it combines the comforting textures of crisp oats with the vibrant flavor of fresh cherries, making it the perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Topping
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 6 Tablespoons (46g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, very cold and cubed
- 2/3 cup (57g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
- Optional: 1/4 cup (about 20g) sliced almonds
Filling
- 5 cups (575g) halved pitted dark sweet cherries
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoons (21g) cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: 2 Tablespoons (30g/ml) bourbon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch round or square baking dish (or a dish of similar size) and set it aside.
- Make the Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, flour, and ground cinnamon. Using a pastry cutter or food processor, cut in the cold cubed butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in the old-fashioned rolled oats and sliced almonds if you are using them. Place the topping mixture in the freezer to keep it cold while you prepare the filling.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the halved and pitted cherries with granulated sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, almond extract, a pinch of salt, and bourbon if using. Stir until all ingredients are well mixed and the cherries are evenly coated.
- Assemble the Crisp: Pour the cherry filling into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Evenly sprinkle the chilled topping over the cherry layer.
- Bake: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cherry crisp from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving to let the filling set. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is very cold before cutting it into the topping mixture for the best crumbly texture.
- If fresh cherries are unavailable, frozen cherries can be used; thaw and drain excess liquid before using.
- Adjust sugar levels according to your preferred sweetness and the tartness of your cherries.
- The bourbon is optional but adds a lovely depth of flavor to the filling.
- For a nut-free version, omit the sliced almonds in the topping.
- Serve the crisp shortly after baking for warm, gooey satisfaction or at room temperature.
