Fresh Cherry Recipe
Fresh Cherry Crisp is a classic summer dessert that combines juicy cherries with a buttery oat topping. This simple, comforting treat comes together quickly and is always a crowd-pleaser.
Sweet, slightly tart cherries bubble beneath a golden, crunchy blanket, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect finish.
Star Ingredients for Fresh Cherry Crisp
- Cherries – Fresh, pitted cherries are the heart of this crisp, bursting with juicy sweetness and a hint of tartness.
- Sugar – Adds just enough sweetness to balance the cherries’ natural tang.
- Flour – Thickens the cherry filling and forms the base of the crisp topping.
- Lemon Juice & Zest – Brightens the fruit’s flavor, adding a fresh citrusy lift.
- Old Fashioned Oats – Bring that classic, hearty crisp texture to the golden topping.
- Light Brown Sugar – Deepens the topping’s flavor with a subtle molasses warmth.
- Unsalted Butter – Cold butter creates those buttery, crumbly pockets everyone loves.
- Cinnamon & Cardamom – Infuse the topping with warm, aromatic spice notes.
How to Make Fresh Cherry Crisp: A Quick Look
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Toss your fresh cherries with sugar, flour, lemon juice, and zest, then spread the mixture in a baking dish. In another bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and a pinch of salt. Cut in cold butter until the mix forms coarse, crumbly bits.
Sprinkle the buttery oat topping over the cherries, covering them generously. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the filling bubbles and the topping is golden brown and crisp. Let it cool briefly before digging in so the juices set nicely.
Tips & Twists for the Best Fresh Cherry Crisp
For the most flavorful Fresh Cherry Crisp, use ripe, in-season cherries. A cherry pitter speeds up prep and keeps things neat. Add chopped nuts like pecans or almonds to the topping for extra crunch. Swap cardamom for nutmeg or ginger if you’d like a spicier twist. If your cherries are very sweet, reduce the sugar slightly to let their natural flavor shine.
To make this dessert even more indulgent, pair it with vanilla ice cream or lightly sweetened whipped cream. For a lighter option, serve it with plain Greek yogurt for a tangy balance.
Keeping Your Fresh Cherry Crisp Fresh
Store any leftover Fresh Cherry Crisp tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to five days. To reheat, pop a portion in the oven at 350°F until warmed through and crisp again. For a quick fix, microwave briefly, but note the topping won’t stay as crunchy. You can also freeze baked crisp; just wrap it well and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Fresh Cherry Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ tsp. ground cardamom optional, but highly recommended
- 5 cups fresh cherries pitted and halved (approximately 2½ lbs.)
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice plus 1 tbsp. zest if desired
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 6 tbsp. all-purpose flour for topping
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour for filling
- 4 tbsp. unsalted butter cold and diced into small pieces
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C, Gas Mark 5). In a medium bowl, toss the cherries with the granulated sugar, ¼ cup flour, lemon juice, and zest if using, then transfer the mixture into a 1.5-quart baking dish. In a separate bowl, stir together the 6 tablespoons flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cardamom if using. Cut in the cold butter using your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture forms coarse, crumbly clumps. Distribute the crumb topping evenly over the cherry mixture. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the fruit filling bubbles and the top is crisp and golden. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
