Homemade Old Fashioned Cherry Crisp Recipe

This quick and easy Old Fashioned Cherry Crisp with an oatmeal topping is loaded with saucy, sweet cherries. Bright and balanced—sweet, tart, and finished with a hint of almond—this classic cherry crisp with extra oatmeal topping is summer dessert perfection.

Like a favorite apple crisp, this cherry crisp is a staple. Serve it warm from the oven with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an unbeatable summer treat. It’s the kind of easy dessert that’s perfect when company is coming.

Our Favorite Cherry Crisp Recipe

When cherries are in season they make everything better. If you have access to fresh cherries—picked from a tree or bought at a farmer’s market—this cherry crisp is a simple way to celebrate them. You can also use frozen cherries and still end up with a juicy, delicious filling. The recipe below makes a perfectly saucy fruit base topped with a buttery oat crumble.

This crisp is ideal for gathering: it bakes in a single dish, needs just a few pantry staples, and tastes even better the next day warmed up and finished with ice cream.

The Secret to Easy Cherry Crisp

A small splash of almond extract brightens the cherry filling and pushes the flavor from good to memorable. Just a half teaspoon blends beautifully with vanilla and sugar, rounding out the tartness of sour cherries without tasting overtly of almonds.

Ingredients In This Cherry Crisp Recipe

• All-purpose flour — adds structure to the topping and helps create a crisp, crumbly texture.
• Old-fashioned rolled oats — use old-fashioned oats for the best chewy, rustic topping (quick oats will work in a pinch).
• Brown sugar — gives the topping a deep, caramel-like sweetness.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg — warm spices that complement the cherries.
• Salt — balances the sweetness and enhances other flavors.
• Cold unsalted butter — cut into the topping to create flaky, buttery crumbs.
• Fresh or frozen pitted cherries — the star of the filling; measure after pitting. Sour or tart cherries work best; mixing in some sweet cherries is fine.
• Cornstarch — thickens the cherry juices so the filling sets up nicely.
• Sugar, vanilla, and almond extract — sweeten and flavor the filling.
• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream — optional, for serving.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for the classic combination of cold, creamy ice cream melting into hot, saucy cherries and crispy oats.

How to Make Cherry Crisp

1. Preheat: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Make the filling: In a saucepan, cook pitted cherries over medium heat until they begin to simmer. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch, sugar, vanilla, and almond extract. Stir the dry mixture into the simmering cherries and cook until the mixture thickens and bubbles; remove from the heat.
3. Assemble: Pour the cherry filling into an 8″ pie plate or an 8×8″ baking dish.
4. Prepare the topping: In a bowl, combine flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Gently squeeze pieces together—if it holds when pressed, it’s ready.
5. Bake: Scatter the oat topping over the cherries and bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling at the edges.
6. Serve: Let cool slightly and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Make it Even Faster

If you don’t have time to cook a homemade filling, use a jarred cherry pie filling or thawed frozen cherries mixed with sugar and cornstarch. The oatmeal topping is the fast part—make it ahead and keep it in the freezer so you can pull it out for a last-minute dessert.

FAQs

Variations of Cherry Crisp

Try stirring a handful of dark chocolate chips into the hot filling just before topping for a chocolate-cherry version. You can also swap half the cherries for raspberries or add a tablespoon of lemon juice to brighten the filling.

This easy cherry dessert tastes like summer in a bowl. The cherries bubble under a golden, buttery oat topping for a comforting, timeless dessert you’ll make again and again. Serve it warm with ice cream, or sneak a spoonful straight from the pan—either way, it’s summer comfort food at its best.

More Crisps, Bars & Fresh Fruit Desserts

• Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
• Brown Sugar Crumble Peach Pie Bars
• Key Lime Pie
• Favorite Strawberry Shortcake
• Southern Peach Cobbler

Cherry Crisp — At-a-Glance Recipe