Name: Fresh Cherry Crisp
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 cups fresh pitted cherries, halved; ¾ cup granulated sugar; 2 Tbsp tapioca; ½ tsp almond extract; 1½ cups all-purpose flour; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ¾ cup light brown sugar; ½ tsp kosher salt; ½ tsp cinnamon; 1 cup oatmeal (rolled oats); ½ lb (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced

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Short Description

A comforting and vibrant dessert layering sweet-tart cherries with a crispy oat-and-butter topping—baked until golden and bubbling, and perfect served warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cherry crisp takes fresh (or frozen) cherries to the next level with a crunchy, buttery crumble that complements the fruit’s juicy sweetness. It’s easy to assemble, ideal for summer cherries, and delivers homey, irresistible flavors—without the fuss of a pie crust.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Filling:

8 cups fresh pitted cherries, halved
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp tapioca
½ tsp almond extract

For the Crisp Topping:

1½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup light brown sugar
½ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp cinnamon
1 cup oatmeal (rolled oats)
½ lb (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced

Directions

Preheat Oven
Heat to 350 °F (175 °C).
Prep Cherries
Wash, pit, and halve cherries. (Frozen may be halved without thawing.)
Mix Filling
In a large bowl, toss cherries with sugar and tapioca. Let sit 15 minutes to draw out juices.
Make Topping
Combine flour, both sugars, salt, cinnamon, and oats in a stand mixer or bowl. Add diced cold butter and blend on low until crumbly with clumps.
Assemble Crisp
Scrape cherry mixture (including juices) into a greased 9 × 13″ baking dish. Evenly sprinkle topping, pinching larger clumps with your fingers.
Bake
Place the baking dish on a rimmed tray with parchment, bake 1 hour until the topping is golden and filling bubbles.
Serve
Let cool slightly before serving warm, topped with ice cream or whipped cream.

Servings And Timing

Serves: 8 (based on a 9 × 13″ dish)
Prep Time: ~15 minutes
Bake Time: ~60 minutes (until bubbling and golden)
Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes

Variations

Freezer-Friendly Prep: Assemble unbaked crisp, freeze, then bake from frozen—add ~15 minutes to bake time.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free oats.
Nutty Boost: Mix chopped almonds or pecans into the topping.
Cinnamon Spiced: Increase cinnamon, or add ¼ tsp nutmeg for warm flavor.
Fruit Mix-In: Add raspberries, blueberries, or peaches with the cherries for fruity variety.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: Store leftover crisp in airtight container or cover the dish; refrigerate up to 4–5 days
Reheat: Warm in a 350 °F oven for 10–20 minutes to re-crisp topping; microwaving is quicker but softens the crunch.
Freezing: Freeze baked crisp (tightly wrapped) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in oven.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen cherries?

Yes—halving frozen cherries without thawing works well. Add extra tapioca or cornstarch as needed.

2. Why use tapioca?

Tapioca helps thicken juices so the filling isn’t runny; cornstarch is a suitable substitute.

3. Can I prep ahead of time?

Yes—filling and topping can be made ahead (up to a day or more), then assembled and baked when ready.

4. How do I know when it’s done?

It’s ready when the topping is golden-brown and cherry juices are bubbling around the edges.

5. Can I add nuts?

Absolutely—stir chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts into the topping for extra crunch.

6. Is the topping too greasy?

If too oily, chill the topping before baking; starting with cold butter keeps it from melting too fast.

7. Can I halve the recipe?

Yes—use a smaller 9″ × 9″ pan and adjust baking time (35–50 min).

8. Can I omit almond extract?

Yes—the almond extract enhances flavor but is optional.

9. How do I prevent soggy topping?

Ensure cold butter, pinch topping into clusters, and bake until topping is crisp and bubbling. Chilling helps.

10. Can I freeze it assembled but unbaked?

Yes—assemble, cover, freeze, then bake adding ~15 minutes to the usual time.

Conclusion

This Fresh Cherry Crisp is simple, scrumptious, and bursting with seasonal flavor. With its buttery topping and juicy cherry filling, it’s a timeless dessert that’s cozy yet effortless. Serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream, and relish every comforting bite—whether it’s a casual night in or festive gathering.

Ezabella