Description

This Fresh Cherry Crisp with Almond Oatmeal Crumble is a delightful summer dessert featuring juicy fresh or frozen cherries topped with a crunchy almond oatmeal crumble. Enhanced with a hint of amaretto for depth, it balances sweet and tart flavors perfectly. The recipe is versatile and can easily be adapted to be vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free, making it a crowd-pleaser for many dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour (or oat flour for gluten-free)
½ cup (107g) packed light brown sugar
⅓ cup (28g) sliced almonds (optional)
⅓ cup (32g) rolled oats, gluten-free if desired
6 tablespoons salted butter, melted (or substitute vegan butter)

Wet Ingredients:

2 pounds fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
¼ cup (39g) pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon cornstarch (or arrowroot starch)
1 tablespoon amaretto (optional, but recommended)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 10-inch oven-safe skillet or a 9x9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Make the Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, sliced almonds (if using), and rolled oats. Pour in the melted butter and stir with a fork until the mixture forms clumps resembling wet sand. Use your hands if needed to create larger crumble clumps. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 5 minutes while you prepare the filling.
Prepare the Cherry Filling: Place the pitted cherries directly into your prepared pan. Add maple syrup, cornstarch, amaretto (if using), vanilla extract, and almond extract. Stir thoroughly to coat all cherries evenly. Mixing directly in the pan saves dishes, but feel free to combine in a separate bowl first if preferred.
Assemble and Bake: Evenly sprinkle the chilled crumble topping over the cherry filling. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes until the fruit filling is bubbling and the topping turns golden brown.
Cool and Serve: Remove the crisp from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. Serve warm by scooping into bowls, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream, or enjoy it straight from the pan.

Notes

Use gluten-free oat flour and gluten-free oats to keep the dessert gluten-free.
The amaretto adds a wonderful depth of flavor but can be omitted if desired.
This crisp can be made vegan by substituting vegan butter.
For best results, use tart cherries, but any cherry variety works well.
Refer to the full recipe post for additional tips, tricks, and customization options.