Traditional Cherry Crisp
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this Traditional Cherry Crisp recipe! Sweet and tart cherries meet a buttery, crumbly topping for a delightful dessert that warms the heart.
There’s something undeniably comforting about a warm cherry crisp fresh from the oven! Its sweet and tart filling bubbling beneath a golden crumble topping just cannot be beat. This classic dessert combines the vibrant flavor of ripe cherries with a buttery oat topping for a delightful contrast of textures and tastes.
Perfect for summer gatherings or cozy winter evenings, this traditional cherry crisp is not only easy to prepare but also a crowd-pleaser! Whether served on its own or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Love a good crisp recipe? Try our Chocolate Cherry Crisp, this Mixed Berry Crisp, or a Classic Apple Crisp!
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of what you will need for this dessert recipe. Scroll to the printable recipe cards for exact measurements.
- Cherries – These can be fresh or frozen, but they must be pitted. If using frozen, be sure to thaw and drain them first so the filling sets up correctly.
- Granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cornstarch – The sweeteners balance out the tartness of the cherries while the cornstarch thickens the juice into a nice, thick filling that is easy to eat.
- Lime juice, lime zest, and vanilla extract – These flavor the filling to complement the natural flavors in the cherries. Feel free to use lemon juice and zest if you prefer.
- Rolled oats and flour – Make sure you use gluten-free oats and flour. These create the bulk of the crumbly topping for your classic crisp texture.
- Brown sugar, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and unsalted butter – These create a warm, buttery flavor in the topping. I have not used any dairy-free butter substitutes, but I imagine vegan butter alternatives would work, too.
How to make a traditional cherry crisp
This easy crisp recipe is simple and delicious! You will need two mixing bowls and a 9×9 inch baking pan or large, deep dish pie pan. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Create the filling
While the oven is preheating, grease your baking dish. Pour all filling ingredients into a large bowl and stir until well combined. Pour into the prepared pan.
Make the topping
In another bowl, stir together the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in your melted butter and stir until the mixture is combined and crumbly. Finally, sprinkle the crisp topping over the cherry filling and bake for 35-40 minutes. Make sure to allow to cool at room temperature for 15-20 minutes so that the filling has time to set up nicely.
How to serve a Cherry Crisp
We love a warm slice of an old-fashioned cherry crisp with a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream! A dollop of fresh whipped cream also works. Consider a sprinkle of chocolate shavings, additional citrus zest, or even chopped fresh mint for more flavor. It’s an amazing dessert for summer parties or cozy winter nights!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to five days, but you will get the best texture in the first three days. Reheat this easy cherry crisp in the microwave (30-second intervals) or in the oven (350 degrees F covered for 5 minutes, uncovered for 5 minutes).
Notes and Suggestions
- Do you prefer a crunchier streusel topping? Add in about 1/4 cup of crushed nuts! Pecans, almonds, or walnuts would be perfect for this.
- Make sure you use pitted cherries or remove the pits yourself with a cherry pitter.
- You can use fresh cherries OR frozen cherries! I allowed a bag of frozen cherries to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then drained them once they were thawed. Do not use cherries that are still frozen; they will add too much moisture and will make the filling soupy.
- Not a fan of lime? Use orange or lemon zest and juice instead!
More classic dessert recipes
- Easy Strawberry Poke Cake
- Classic Lemon Pie
- Flourless Chocolate Cake
- Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake
- Easy Baked Apples
Get the Recipe: Classic Cherry Crisp
Ingredients
Filling:
- 2 lbs cherries, pitted (fresh or frozen, thawed/drained)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp lime juice
- ½ tsp lime zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9×9 inch baking pan or large deep dish pie pan.
- Make the filling: Toss together all filling ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well combined. Pour into the prepared pan.
- Make the topping: In a separate bowl, stir together the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add the melted butter and stir until well combined.
- Spread the topping over the cherries and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. Allow to cool at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, then serve with whipped cream or ice cream!
Notes
- This cherry crisp is perfect for summer and has hints of lime as well!
- I used frozen cherries that I thawed overnight in the fridge. If you use frozen cherries, make sure they are completely thawed, and well drained.
- This cherry crisp keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days!
