Description
A delicious and wholesome Cherry Crisp featuring a thickened cherry filling topped with a crunchy almond and oat mixture, baked to golden perfection. This recipe combines tart and sweet frozen cherries simmered with fresh lemon juice and almond extract, then topped with a maple syrup-sweetened oat and almond flour crumble, perfect served warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.
Ingredients
Cherry Filling
- 4 heaping cups frozen cherries (blend of tart and sweet cherries)
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Topping
- 1 ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup slivered raw almonds
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 3 Tablespoons melted coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Add Cherries: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the frozen cherries, fresh lemon juice, almond extract, and arrowroot powder.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 7-10 minutes. Stir occasionally and press down with a wooden spoon or spatula to help break down the cherries. Cook until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon but is not too runny.
- Make Topping: While the cherry filling simmers, mix together the oats, slivered almonds, almond flour, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, cinnamon, almond extract, and sea salt in a medium bowl until well combined.
- Assemble: Pour the thickened cherry mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly spoon the oat and almond topping over the cherries in a uniform layer.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Allow the cherry crisp to cool for 15-20 minutes to set, then serve warm. It pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.
Notes
- Arrowroot powder can be substituted with cornstarch if unavailable.
- For an extra burst of almond flavor, consider adding a small amount of almond extract to the cherry filling as well as the topping.
- Let the crisp cool slightly before serving to avoid burning and to allow the filling to thicken further.
- This recipe works well with fresh cherries in season by reducing simmering time as fresh cherries release more liquid.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
