Cherry Crisp is an easy dessert recipe full of luscious cherries, a nutty oat streusel and a shortcut that makes it fast and fabulous every time. Perfect for a relaxed dessert at the end of any meal.
Having an easy homemade dessert recipe in your kitchen collection is a must.
Something that’s not fussy but delivers great flavor and texture every time. A recipe you never have to worry about.
Cherry Crisp is a classic example. Always a favorite, bakes in 30 minutes and served warm with a scoop of ice cream.
It doesn’t get better than that!
Jump to:
The best Cherry Crisp recipe
Recipes just don’t get easier than this one. Warm, baked sweet cherries with a crispy rolled oat streusel topping.
What makes ours ‘the best’?
- It used cherry pie filling. It’s fast, easy and incredibly delicious.
- We divide the crisp mixture between a crust on bottom and a topping. This sandwiches the sweet cherries between two layers of the crisp balancing all the flavors perfectly.
- It can be changed up to use fresh cherries or frozen cherries too.
- It’s easy. It’s fast.
- It’s a flavorful dessert that’s relaxed to end a meal any time of year.
What’s the difference between a Crisp, Crumble and Cobbler?
A crisp is a baked fruit dessert with a lighter streusel topping that contains oats. The oats crisp in the crisp topping when cooked making a wonderful texture.
A crumble is also a baked fruit dessert with a streusel topping (no oats). The crumble topping cooks to a denser consistency than a crisp.
A cobbler is another baked fruit dessert with a biscuit type topping.
They are each delicious. Crips and Crumbles are great options for relaxed desserts.
Recipe Ingredients + Notes
All Purpose Flour. Regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend can be used.
Old Fashioned Oats. Also called Rolled Oats. Use these whole oats and not quick oats. Regular or gluten-free old fashioned oats will work.
Brown Sugar. Use light brown sugar. This will be used in the crisp streusel mixture.
Almonds or pecans. We’ve used chopped almonds in the streusel topping. Pecans can also be used.
Cinnamon. Adds a warming spice flavor.
Vanilla Extract. Adds classic flavor.
Unsalted butter. The butter works best with cold butter as it helps with the “crumble” texture.
Cherry pie filling. One can of cherry pie filling or batch of homemade cherry pie filling is all that’s needed!
Make it with fresh cherries (or frozen)!
This Cherry Crisp can also be made with fresh cherries or frozen cherries (thawed). It’s a delicious way to use fresh seasonal fruit or frozen fruit if preferred.
Details of how to make it are included in the recipe notes or the recipe card below.
How to make Cherry Crisp – Step-by-Step
STEP 1. Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8-inch by 8-inch square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray (photo 1).
STEP 2. Make the crisp mixture
In a medium bowl combine the dry ingredients: flour, brown sugar, rolled oats, chopped nuts, cinnamon (photo 2). Add the vanilla and mix in (photo 3).
Mix in the cold butter with fork or hand until crumbly (photo 4-5).
STEP 3. Assemble the crisp
Add half the mixture to the prepared pan (photo 6). Press down with your hands (photo 7).
Spoon in the cherry pie filling and smooth to cover the bottom layer (photo 8-9).
Sprinkle the remaining streusel mixture on top of the cherry filling (photo 10).
STEP 4. Bake
Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown. Allow to cool for 15 minutes.
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Variations
Use almonds or pecans. Either type of nut is delicious.
Make it nut-free. If preferred the nuts can be left out all together.
Change up the pie filling. This recipe would be great with peach, blueberry or apple pie filling.
Use homemade pie filling. Homemade cherry filling recipes will work.
Swap in almond extract. Instead of vanilla extract try almond extract for a stronger nut flavor.
How to store Cherry Crisp
Store covered in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days. Rewarm servings in the microwave before serving.
The topping will not be as crisp as when it is freshly baked. But it is still delicious!
More recipes you’ll love!
Recipe
Cherry Crisp
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend
- 3/4 cup old fashioned oats regular or gluten-free rolled oats (do not use quick oats)
- 1 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup sliced or chopped almonds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 9 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 21-ounce can cherry pie filling canned or homemade
- Serve with vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare an 8×8 baking dish with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and almonds. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Using a fork, or your hands, cut in the butter until the mixture is combined and crumbly.
- Pour half of this mixture into the prepared pan and press it down to form a bottom crust.
- Pour the cherry pie filling on top of the crust and spread to the edges. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top of the cherries.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top is a golden brown color. Allow the crisp to cool for at least 15 minutes before scooping. Serve with a side of vanilla ice cream.
- Store covered at room temperature or in the fridge. Warm in the microwave before serving.
Video
Notes
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water
- 4-5 cups of fresh pitted tart cherries or frozen cherries
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice (use this if the cherries are too sweet)
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until the lumps are gone.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, mix the cherries, cornstarch mixture, lemon juice, and sugar.
- Heat for 10-15 minutes until the mixture is bubbling and the natural juices have started to come out.
- Turn the heat down to low/medium and continue stirring until the sauce has thickened.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool before using it in the cherry crisp recipe.
Cathy says
This is the BEST cherry crisp! And so easy to make!
Rebecca says
We just picked some of our fresh cherries and I came across this post. So delicious and and the ice cream on the warm crisp was perfect.
Erin says
This Cherry Crisp is delicious and so easy.
Teresa says
I made this with frozen cherries (thawed them first). It was so good! My family loved it.