Easy Cherry Crisp Recipe (Homemade Pie Filling)
This easy cherry crisp is made with sweet cherries that can be fresh or frozen and is topped with the most delicious crunchy oat topping. Serve in individual cups for an elegant easy dessert!
A good crisp recipe has two things. A fruit filling, and a delicious crispy topping. Not only does this simple idea create a quick dessert that you can make for pretty much any occasion but they stand up to just about anything you can find in a bakery. Making a crisp is one of the best ways to create a last-minute dessert that everyone will love. It also helps to use your favorite fruit. In this case, it’s tart cherries that are the star of this fruit crisp and they do not disappoint.
You can use fresh or frozen cherries to make the homemade filling. Keep in mind if using fresh you will need a cherry pitter so it might be a little more time-consuming to make. However, if you love cherries you know there is nothing like a homemade cherry pie filling. Which is exactly what we are filling our crisp with today.
Easy Cherry Crisp Is…
- A delicious dessert that you can use fresh cherries or frozen to make.
- An easy recipe made with simple ingredients.
- A great alternative to apple crisp.
- Also known as a cherry crumble and is perfect for cherry season.
- The perfect recipe for cherry lovers, or to serve at a dinner party.
Ingredients
Cherries- I use fresh or frozen pitted cherries, not cherry pie filling or canned cherries for this recipe.
Old-Fashioned Oats- Old-fashioned rolled oats are great for crumble topping as it adds a nice texture. Be sure to use old-fashioned oats and not Steele cut or quick oats.
Butter- I use both salted and unsalted butter when I make this. So use whatever you have on hand. If you do use unsalted add a 1/4 tsp of sea salt to the topping as the salt will help bring out the flavors.
Vanilla Extract- I use one tsp for this recipe to give a nice warm vanilla flavor to the cherries.
Cinnamon- Cinnamon adds a warm flavor and pairs perfectly with brown sugar and cherries. I use 1 tsp in this.
Brown Sugar- I use light brown sugar but you can also use dark. The measurement is for unpacked brown sugar.
Sliced Almonds- Adding a nice crunch to the topping, I use 1/2 cup of sliced almonds added to the crumble topping.
Flour- I use all-purpose flour to help thicken the cherry mixture while it bakes and also to make the topping bind together.
Directions
Begin by making sure your cherries are thawed if using frozen. I allow mine to come to room temperature to get the excess water or ice off them. If using fresh you will want to ensure they are pitted before beginning. Add the cherries to a large bowl along with the vanilla, flour, and brown sugar.
Use a spoon to stir the cherries to make sure that they are coated with flour and sugar. This will help to thicken the juices from the cherries as it bakes. Pour the cherry mixture into a baking dish.
To make the topping place the remaining sugar, old-fashioned oats, cinnamon, and sliced almonds into a medium bowl. Melt the butter in a small sauce pot then pour it over the mixture.
Use a fork to combine until it appears wet.
Spread the blended mixture over the top of the cherry filling and bake at 350℉ for 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Baking Notes
- I use salted butter. If you use unsalted, add a 1/4 tsp of sea salt to the topping ingredients. Salt helps to bring out the flavors of the topping.
- Be sure to thaw cherries if using frozen, to get off excess water or ice.
- I use a 8 x 12 baking dish for this recipe.
Serving Suggestions
This easy cherry crisp is delicious on its own however here are some options for serving it you might enjoy:
- Serving with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. You can make homemade whipped cream simply by adding 1 cup of heavy whipping cream to a mixer bowl along with 2 tsp of sugar. Use the whip attachment and whip the cream until soft peaks form. Place into a pretty bowl and serve alongside the crisp.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla or French vanilla ice cream for a delicious à la mode taste.
- Drizzle caramel over for a decadent dessert
- Try it with chocolate ice cream for a twist to your à la mode.
- Serve warm with a dollop of mascarpone cheese for more of a tangy cream.
Frozen Cherries vs. Fresh
When it comes to baking, cherries are one of the few fruits that taste just as good as when using fresh. For this reason, I tend to go with using frozen cherries whenever I make a cherry jam or dessert. Using fresh fruit when baking is always preferred for the very aspect of freshness.
However, when you use fresh you are also stuck with the extra job of needing to pit the cherries. This recipe can be quite a bit of work for as many cherries as this dessert requires. Still, it is fine to use either for this recipe as the results will be quite similar. Make a note at the end of summer, in many places you can find pitted, organic cherries in large bags in the freezer sections of many grocery stores. A great way to stock up and keep them on hand.
*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no cost to you).
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Easy Cherry Crisp (Homemade Filling)
This easy cherry crisp is made with sweet cherries that can be fresh or frozen and is topped with the most delicious crunchy oat topping.
Ingredients
- Filling:
- 8 cups fresh or frozen whole pitted cherries
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of unpacked brown sugar
- Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups of old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup of sliced almonds
- 6 tbsp of melted butter
- 1/4 cup of all purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp sea salt (if using unsalted butter)
Instructions
- Begin by making sure your cherries are thawed if using frozen. I allow mine to come to room temperature to get the excess water or ice off them. If using fresh you will want to ensure they are pitted before beginning.
- Add the cherries to a large bowl along with the vanilla, flour, and brown sugar. Use a spoon to stir the cherries to make sure that they are coated with flour and sugar. This will help to thicken the juices from the cherries as they bake.
- Pour the cherry mixture into a baking dish. To make the topping place the remaining sugar, old-fashioned oats, cinnamon, and sliced almonds into a medium bowl.
- Melt the butter in a small sauce pot then pour it over the mixture. Use a fork to combine until it appears wet.
- Spread the blended mixture over the top of the cherry filling and bake at 350℉ for 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Notes
- I use salted butter. If you use unsalted, add a 1/4 tsp of sea salt to the topping ingredients. Salt helps to bring out the flavors of the topping.
- Be sure to thaw cherries if using frozen, to get off excess water or ice.
- I use an 8 x 12 baking dish for this recipe.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 354Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 146mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 6gSugar: 30gProtein: 6g
Can you freeze this after baking? I’m interested in trying but I know my household will not help me eat it.
Hi Chandra, Yes it freezes well and reheats nicely. I use a glass baking dish with an air-tight container so I can allow it to cool in the baking dish I made it in and then be able to reheat it from the freezer. Just a suggestion. I hope you enjoy the crisp!