This cherry crisp uses simple ingredients to create a delicious dessert. Make this recipe any time of year with fresh or frozen cherries.
All you need to make this cherry crisp recipe is a big bowl of cherries and some pantry staples. Follow a few simple steps to put this dish together, then bake and eat!
What is the difference between crisp and crumble?
These desserts are very similar and often confused with each other. Both have a fresh fruit filling and a baked streusel topping.
The difference is simple – oats. A crisp topping uses oats to keep its structure, while a crumble topping is more dense and cakey.
How to make cherry crisp
INGREDIENTS
- Cherries – fresh or frozen
- Rolled oats – use regular old fashioned, not quick-cooking
- Dry ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder
- Wet ingredients – vanilla, egg, butter
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep the cherries
If you are using fresh cherries, remove the stems and pits from the fruit. Then wash and pat dry.
For frozen, let them thaw in the refrigerator first. You can also use the defrost option on a microwave.
Make the topping
Melt the butter over the stove or in the microwave, but don’t let it start to brown.
Then, use an electric mixer to beat the remaining ingredients until it looks crumbly.
Assemble the cherry crisp
Add the cherries to a greased baking dish and sprinkle the topping mixture over the top. Be sure to leave some open spaces so everything can cook evenly.
Next, drizzle the melted butter over everything and bake until the top is browned and crispy.
Serve fresh out of the oven. You can add some whipped cream or ice cream too if you’d like!
RECIPE NOTES
- Storage: Cover or transfer to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Make ahead: The crisp topping can be made in advance and frozen for up to 3 months. Make a large batch and store in airtight containers, then use straight from the freezer before baking.
- Thicker filling: If you prefer less juice in your crisp, try mixing the cherries with a little bit of flour or cornstarch. This will help absorb the liquid and thicken the filling.
- Make it a crumble: To turn this recipe into a cherry crumble, replace the oats with more flour and sugar until you get a sandy texture. You can also substitute chopped nuts for the oats to add some crunch.
Making crisps with different fruit
This recipe is extremely flexible because it’s so simple. Feel free to replace the cherries with other types of fruit – you can even use combinations for more complex flavors, like in my Rhubarb Crisp.
Baking time may need to be adjusted, depending on what kind of fruit you’ll be using. Here are some ideas:
- Berries: strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry
- Stone fruit: peach, apricot, plum
- Apple: granny smith, honeycrisp, golden delicious
MORE FRUIT DESSERT RECIPES TO TRY:
Watch how to make this cherry crisp recipe below!
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Old Fashioned Cherry Crisp
Ingredients
- 32 oz cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F.
- Remove pits from fresh cherries or thaw frozen cherries. Place in a greased 13"x9" baking pan or stone.
- In a mixing bowl beat the flour, sugar, oats, baking powder, egg and vanilla until it becomes a crumbled mixture.
- Sprinkle this mixture over the cherries, not covering completely, leaving breathing pocket here and there.
- Melt the butter, drizzle over the top and bake for 40 minutes.
- Serve with scoop of ice cream or whipped cream (optional).
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
Nutrition
Very good. I’ve never made cherry crisp with egg in the dough before, but I really liked the result. I had a quart of sour cherries from a fruit stand. I sweetened and thickened the cherries and I used your crisp recipe for the topping. I will make it again with other fruits. Thank you.
Fantastic! Love to read this, thanks Elaine.
Can I make it this afternoon and then bake it this evening ?
I think that would work out just fine! Let me know if you try it!
Had some cherries that were not being eaten. This took about 10 min to put together. Just had a piece and it’s delicious!!
Thank you Jenny! I am glad you tried it!
I made this yesterday, 7/1/20, using fresh sour cherries from my tree in the backyard. It turned out good, but the cherries are too sour for my liking. If I make it again, I plan to mix 1 cup of sugar into the cherries before putting them in the baking dish. Maybe this recipe is for sweet cherries?
I buy frozen dark, sweet cherries and use those Herman. I’ve never thought to use sour cherries, sorry that was your experience.
Crisps are my favorite with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla bean ice cream. This looks fantastic!
Mine too Amy! I cannot wait to make it again!
Cherry crisp has to be one of my most favourite desserts and this looks absolutely incredible!
Mine too! I hope you give it a try!
I made this cherry crisp after dinner last night and my family devoured the entire thing! We already can’t wait to make it again!
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Sometimes simple recipes are the most delicious ones and this is certainly that! What a yummy way to enjoy summer cherries!
Sometimes simple is best! Thank you!
What a delicious dessert to tey using cheeries. I will soon make this for my lil one.
I hope you enjoy it!
Excellent..made this last night. Very good thank you
So glad you enjoyed this one Peg!
I’ll be soon making my yearly summer pilgrimage to cherry country, and this recipe is coming with me!
I’m actually headed to Yakima, Washington for a cherry excursion myself. Excited to check it out. Hope you guys enjoy this one Jeff. Cheers!
You had me at crisp. And then you add cherries!! One of my favorite summer fruits…looks like dessert perfection to me.
I’ve been on a cherry kick lately and have been invited up to Yakima, Washtington in July to celebrate the super large, juicy, Two Bite Cherries harvest. 🙂