Sweet Summer Delight: Fresh Cherry Crisp Recipe

Cherry season is a fleeting but glorious time of year. The vibrant red hues, the sweet and slightly tart flavor, and the juicy burst with every bite make cherries a quintessential summer fruit. What better way to celebrate this seasonal bounty than with a warm, comforting, and utterly delicious Fresh Cherry Crisp? This recipe is simple, straightforward, and guarantees a crowd-pleasing dessert that showcases the natural beauty of fresh cherries.

Why You’ll Love This Fresh Cherry Crisp

* **Simple Ingredients:** You likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
* **Quick to Prepare:** This recipe comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknight desserts or weekend gatherings.
* **Deliciously Versatile:** Enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or simply on its own.
* **Showcases Fresh Cherries:** The star of the show is undoubtedly the fresh cherries, and this recipe lets their flavor shine.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** Everyone loves a good fruit crisp, and this cherry version is sure to be a hit.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather our ingredients. You’ll need:

For the Cherry Filling:

* **Fresh Cherries:** 6 cups, pitted and halved (about 2 pounds)
* **Granulated Sugar:** 1/2 cup (adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of your cherries)
* **Cornstarch:** 2 tablespoons (to thicken the filling)
* **Lemon Juice:** 1 tablespoon (to brighten the flavor)
* **Almond Extract:** 1/2 teaspoon (optional, but adds a lovely depth of flavor)
* **Pinch of Salt:** To enhance the sweetness

For the Crisp Topping:

* **All-Purpose Flour:** 1 cup
* **Rolled Oats:** 1 cup (old-fashioned or quick-cooking)
* **Brown Sugar:** 1/2 cup (packed)
* **Granulated Sugar:** 1/4 cup
* **Cold Unsalted Butter:** 1/2 cup (1 stick), cut into small cubes
* **Ground Cinnamon:** 1/2 teaspoon
* **Pinch of Salt:** To balance the sweetness

Equipment You’ll Need

* **9×13 inch Baking Dish:** A standard size is perfect for this recipe.
* **Large Mixing Bowl:** For the cherry filling.
* **Medium Mixing Bowl:** For the crisp topping.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measurements.
* **Cherry Pitter:** While optional, a cherry pitter will save you a lot of time and effort.
* **Pastry Blender or Fork:** To cut the butter into the flour mixture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get baking! Follow these simple steps to create your own Fresh Cherry Crisp:

Step 1: Prepare the Cherry Filling

1. **Pit and Halve the Cherries:** This is the most time-consuming part, but it’s essential. Use a cherry pitter for efficiency, or carefully slice the cherries in half and remove the pits with a paring knife.
2. **Combine Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the pitted and halved cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, almond extract (if using), and a pinch of salt. Gently toss to coat all the cherries evenly.
3. **Transfer to Baking Dish:** Pour the cherry mixture into the 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.

Step 2: Make the Crisp Topping

1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
2. **Cut in the Butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or a fork to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The mixture should have some small clumps of butter remaining, which will create a flaky and delicious topping.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

1. **Sprinkle Topping:** Evenly sprinkle the crisp topping over the cherry filling in the baking dish. Make sure the entire surface is covered.
2. **Bake:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the cherry crisp for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
3. **Cool and Serve:** Remove the cherry crisp from the oven and let it cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken slightly. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or on its own.

Tips and Variations

* **Use a Cherry Pitter:** Invest in a cherry pitter if you plan on making cherry desserts often. It will save you a significant amount of time and effort.
* **Adjust the Sweetness:** Taste the cherries before adding the sugar and adjust the amount accordingly. If your cherries are very sweet, you may need to reduce the sugar slightly.
* **Add Nuts:** For extra crunch and flavor, add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts to the crisp topping. Pecans, walnuts, or almonds would all be delicious.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger to the crisp topping for a warmer, spicier flavor.
* **Use Different Fruits:** While this recipe is specifically for cherries, you can easily adapt it to other fruits like peaches, apples, or berries.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free rolled oats to make this recipe gluten-free.
* **Vegan Option:** Substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative or coconut oil. Ensure the vegan butter is cold for best results.
* **Add a crumble layer:** Combine a 1/4 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of cold butter and crumble this over the cherry before baking for extra texture.
* **Mix in other berries:** Add blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries to the cherries for a mixed berry crisp.

Serving Suggestions

* **Warm with Ice Cream:** The classic pairing! Vanilla ice cream is the perfect complement to the warm, sweet cherry crisp.
* **Whipped Cream:** A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light and airy touch.
* **Yogurt:** For a healthier option, serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt.
* **Custard:** A creamy custard sauce is a decadent addition.
* **On its Own:** The cherry crisp is delicious enough to be enjoyed on its own, especially when it’s still warm from the oven.

Storage Instructions

* **Room Temperature:** Store the cooled cherry crisp at room temperature for up to 2 days. Cover it loosely with plastic wrap or foil.
* **Refrigerator:** Store the cooled cherry crisp in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover it tightly to prevent it from drying out.
* **Freezer:** You can freeze the cherry crisp for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating Instructions

* **Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cherry crisp in the oven and reheat for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
* **Microwave:** Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 350-400 per serving (depending on serving size and toppings)
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 10-12g
* Cholesterol: 40-50mg
* Sodium: 100-150mg
* Carbohydrates: 50-60g
* Fiber: 3-4g
* Sugar: 30-40g
* Protein: 3-4g

Fresh Cherry Crisp Recipe

**Yields:** 8-10 servings
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 35 minutes

Ingredients:

**For the Cherry Filling:**

* 6 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved (about 2 pounds)
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
* Pinch of salt

**For the Crisp Topping:**

* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned or quick-cooking)
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. **Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).**
2. **Prepare the cherry filling:** In a large bowl, combine pitted cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, almond extract (if using), and a pinch of salt. Toss gently to combine.
3. **Transfer to baking dish:** Pour the cherry mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
4. **Make the crisp topping:** In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. **Sprinkle topping:** Evenly sprinkle the crisp topping over the cherry filling.
6. **Bake:** Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling. If the topping browns too quickly, tent with foil.
7. **Cool and serve:** Let cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. Serve warm with ice cream, whipped cream, or on its own.

Enjoy this delicious and easy Fresh Cherry Crisp! It’s the perfect way to celebrate summer and the bounty of fresh cherries. This recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Happy baking!