Easy Fresh Cherry Crisp is the perfect way to capture the bright, sweet flavor of ripe cherries in a comforting, rustic dessert. This recipe is incredibly useful for anyone seeking a simple yet decadent treat that highlights seasonal fruit with minimal effort.
Key Ingredients for Easy Fresh Cherry Crisp
- 2 pounds fresh cherries, pitted and halved (or left whole if small)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for topping
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rolled oats (not instant)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
How to Make Easy Fresh Cherry Crisp
This Easy Fresh Cherry Crisp is a triumph of simplicity, delivering a burst of juicy cherry sweetness beneath a perfectly crumbly, buttery topping. It’s a satisfying dessert that comes together in a flash, perfect for weeknight indulgence or casual gatherings. The preparation time is approximately 20 minutes, with an additional 40-45 minutes for baking, making it an accessible treat for any occasion.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat your oven and prepare the cherry filling: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, gently combine the pitted and halved fresh cherries with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, cornstarch, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss everything together until the cherries are evenly coated. This mixture will form the luscious, slightly thickened cherry base for your crisp.
Prepare the crisp topping: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, packed light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. This dry mixture forms the foundation of your delightful, crunchy topping.
Incorporate the butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry topping ingredients. Using your fingertips, a pastry blender, or a fork, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. It’s important that the butter stays cold to achieve that desirable crisp texture.
Assemble the crisp: Pour the cherry mixture into an 8×8 inch baking dish or a similar-sized oven-safe dish. Spread the cherry filling evenly across the bottom of the dish.
Add the topping: Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping mixture over the cherry filling, ensuring it covers the entire surface. For an extra touch of sweetness and crunch, sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar evenly over the topping.
Bake until golden and bubbly: Place the baking dish on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips) and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges. The aroma will be irresistible!
Cool slightly before serving: Once baked, remove the Easy Fresh Cherry Crisp from the oven and let it cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly and prevents it from being too runny.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Fresh Cherry Crisp
You will absolutely adore this Easy Fresh Cherry Crisp for its quintessential taste of summer comfort! The star of this dessert is undoubtedly the perfectly baked fresh cherries, bursting with sweet-tart flavor that’s amplified by the warm spices and the irresistible golden crumble topping. Making this at home not only saves money compared to store-bought desserts but also guarantees you a dessert made with the freshest ingredients, allowing you to control the sweetness and quality. Unlike a deep-dish cherry pie that requires more precision, this crisp is designed for speed and ease, resulting in a rustic, homey treat that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
The delightful contrast between the warm, tender cherries and the crunchy, buttery oat topping is simply divine, especially when served warm. It’s reminiscent of a classic apple crisp but with the vibrant, unique flavor of cherries. Ready to fill your kitchen with a heavenly aroma and indulge in a truly satisfying dessert? Give this Easy Fresh Cherry Crisp a try – your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Leftovers of your Easy Fresh Cherry Crisp can be stored for up to 3-4 days when kept in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: To enjoy it warm again, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or reheat a larger portion in a moderate oven (around 350°F or 175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the topping is crisp again. Be mindful that longer reheating in the oven will result in a crisper topping.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the Easy Fresh Cherry Crisp. Allow it to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Alternatively, you can bake it in a freezer-safe dish and freeze it unbaked. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To bake from frozen (unbaked), add about 15-20 minutes to the baking time. If reheating a baked and frozen crisp, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as directed above.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Fresh Cherry Crisp offers a delightful balance of sweet fruit and crunchy topping, showcasing beautiful seasonal cherries with minimal effort. It’s a perfect dessert to whip up when you’re craving something comforting and delicious, so gather your ingredients and give it a try!
Easy Fresh Cherry Crisp
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, gently combine the pitted and halved fresh cherries with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, cornstarch, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss everything together until the cherries are evenly coated. This mixture will form the luscious, slightly thickened cherry base for your crisp.2 pounds fresh cherries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, packed light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. This dry mixture forms the foundation of your delightful, crunchy topping.1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup rolled oats, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry topping ingredients. Using your fingertips, a pastry blender, or a fork, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. It’s important that the butter stays cold to achieve that desirable crisp texture.3/4 cup unsalted butter
- Pour the cherry mixture into an 8×8 inch baking dish or a similar-sized oven-safe dish. Spread the cherry filling evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping mixture over the cherry filling, ensuring it covers the entire surface. For an extra touch of sweetness and crunch, sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar evenly over the topping.1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- Place the baking dish on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips) and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges. The aroma will be irresistible!
- Once baked, remove the Easy Fresh Cherry Crisp from the oven and let it cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly and prevents it from being too runny.