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    Home » Recipes » Desserts (Baked) » Easy Cherry Crisp recipe

    LAST UPDATED: November 4, 2022 • FIRST PUBLISHED: June 24, 2021 By Toni Dash 14 Comments

    Easy Cherry Crisp recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    cherry crisp title image

    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.

    cherry crisp title image

    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
    • What’s the difference between a Crisp, Crumble and Cobbler?
    • Recipe Ingredients + Notes
    • Make it with fresh cherries (or frozen)!
    • How to make Cherry Crisp – Step-by-Step
    • Variations
    • How to store Cherry Crisp
    • More recipes you’ll love!
    • Recipe

    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.
    cherry crisp serving with cherries in background

    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

    cherry crisp ingredients

    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!

    cherry crisp serving with ice cream

    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.

    cherry crisp serving in bowl with spoon

    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).

    cherry crisp recipe steps 1-4

    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).

    cherry crisp recipe steps 5-8

    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!

    cherry crisp recipe steps 9-11
    cherry crisp scoop

    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!

    cherry crisp serving with cherries in background ice cream spoon

    More recipes you’ll love!

    • Apricot Crumble Recipe
    • Slow Cooker Cherry Spice Cake Cobbler
    • Summery Strawberry Peach Fruit Crumble Jars
    • Blueberry Mint Crumble in Jars
    • Blueberry Coffee Cake with Crumble Topping

    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER and PINTEREST!

    Recipe

    Cherry Crisp

    Cherry Crisp is an easy, relaxed dessert full of sweet cherries and a nutty oat streusel. It's quick to make and bakes in about 30 minutes. It can be made with cherry pie filling, fresh cherries or frozen cherries!
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Cooling Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 9
    Calories: 328kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    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

    Ingredients Notes:
    The gluten-free version of all our recipes are tested with Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.
    The butter works best with cold butter as it helps with the “crumble” texture.
    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.
    To make with fresh cherries or frozen/thawed cherries:
    Ingredients:
    • 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)
    Instructions
    1. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until the lumps are gone.
    2. In a saucepan over medium heat, mix the cherries, cornstarch mixture, lemon juice, and sugar.
    3. Heat for 10-15 minutes until the mixture is bubbling and the natural juices have started to come out.
    4. Turn the heat down to low/medium and continue stirring until the sauce has thickened.
    5. Remove from heat and allow to cool before using it in the cherry crisp recipe.
    Storing Leftovers
    Store covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Rewarm in the microwave before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 351IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cathy says

      June 28, 2021 at 8:52 am

      This is the BEST cherry crisp! And so easy to make!

      Reply
    2. Rebecca says

      June 25, 2021 at 5:51 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    3. Erin says

      June 25, 2021 at 10:30 am

      5 stars
      This Cherry Crisp is delicious and so easy.

      Reply
    4. Teresa says

      June 25, 2021 at 10:15 am

      5 stars
      I made this with frozen cherries (thawed them first). It was so good! My family loved it.

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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