Description
This Fresh Cherry Crisp recipe offers a delightful way to enjoy seasonal cherries, featuring a buttery oat topping that’s crisped to perfection. You can bake it in the oven or prepare it on the grill for a slightly smoky twist. Perfect served warm with ice cream, this dessert is an irresistible treat for summer gatherings or cozy evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Filling
- 8 cups fresh cherries, pitted
- 4-6 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust depending on sweetness of cherries)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons corn starch
Crisp Topping
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish or grill pan: For baking, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8-inch pan. For grilling, preheat grill to medium heat and grease a large cast iron skillet or two stacked 8×8-inch disposable foil pans, greasing the inside of the top pan.
- Prepare the cherry filling: In a large bowl, combine the pitted cherries with 4-6 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust depending on cherry sweetness), fresh lemon juice, and corn starch. Stir well until the cherries are evenly coated. Pour this mixture into your prepared pan or grill pan.
- Make the crisp topping: In a separate bowl, mix together rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and ¼ cup granulated sugar. Pour melted butter and vanilla extract over the oat mixture and stir everything until fully combined. Evenly sprinkle this topping over the cherry filling.
- Bake the crisp (if baking): Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden. If the topping is browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil after 30 minutes. Remove from oven, allow to cool slightly, then serve warm with ice cream.
- Grill the crisp (if grilling): After assembling the crisp in the greased pan, cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil and seal tightly. Grill for 30-35 minutes until the edges are bubbling. Remove the foil and grill for an additional 5-10 minutes uncovered to set the topping. Remove from grill, allow to cool slightly, and serve warm with ice cream.
Notes
- You can adjust the sugar quantity depending on the natural sweetness of your cherries to balance the tartness.
- Using freshly pitted cherries will yield the best flavor and texture, but frozen cherries can also be used in a pinch—just thaw and drain excess liquid before using.
- If baking, tenting with foil prevents the topping from over-browning while ensuring the filling cooks through.
- Grilling adds a subtle smoky flavor, making it a great option for outdoor summer cooking.
- Serve the cherry crisp warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent dessert.
