This Easy Cherry Crisp Recipe is everything you want in a homemade dessert-sweet, juicy cherries tucked beneath a buttery oat topping that's crisp, golden, and impossible to resist! Made with frozen cherries and cherry pie filling, it's quick to assemble with simple pantry ingredients, making it perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or anytime you're craving an old-fashioned dessert without a lot of fuss.
What makes this cherry crisp recipe irresistible
Instead of relying entirely on cherry pie filling, this recipe combines it with frozen cherries for a filling that's loaded with real fruit in every bite. The pie filling provides just the right amount of sweetness while the frozen cherries add fresh cherry flavor and texture.
A simple oat topping bakes into a buttery, crunchy layer that perfectly complements the warm filling. With just a handful of everyday ingredients, you'll have a homemade dessert that tastes like you spent far more time in the kitchen than you actually did!
Easy Cherry Crispy Recipe
Equipment
- 1 8x8 pan
Ingredients
- 21 ounce can cherry pie filling
- 14 ounce bag of frozen cherries thawed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Crisp Topping
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat an 8x8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the cherry pie filling, thawed cherries, vanilla extract, almond extract, and cornstarch. Stir until well combined.
- Spread the cherry mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour the melted butter over the oat mixture.
- Stir the oat mixture until crumbly.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the cherry filling.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow the crisp to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Love this recipe? Join the free membership group!
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card for the exact measurements for this recipe.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Yes. Thaw the cherries and drain off any excess liquid before mixing them with the cherry pie filling. This helps keep the filling from becoming too watery as it bakes.
Absolutely! If fresh cherries are in season, pit and halve about 2 cups of cherries and use them in place of the frozen cherries. The baking time remains the same.
Yes. Assemble the cherry crisp up to one day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. When you're ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator while the oven preheats, then bake as directed.
The secret to cherry crisp success
Be sure to thaw and drain the frozen cherries before adding them to the filling. Skipping this step can leave you with extra liquid that prevents the filling from thickening properly. A few minutes spent draining the cherries means you'll end up with a rich, jammy filling instead of a runny one.
Test kitchen notes
tested this recipe both with and without the almond extract. While the cherry crisp is delicious either way, I definitely prefer it with the almond extract. It doesn't make the dessert taste like almonds-it simply enhances the natural cherry flavor.
I also compared old-fashioned oats and quick oats in the topping. The old-fashioned oats created a heartier, crispier texture that I liked much better, so that's what I recommend using.
Finally, I baked this cherry crisp in both a glass baking dish and a ceramic baking dish. Both baked beautifully, so use whichever one you have on hand.
Related recipes
If you love easy fruit desserts, I've got a few more family favorites to try! Grandma's Blueberry Cobbler is packed with juicy blueberries and an old-fashioned topping that's been passed down through generations. For another cherry treat, my Cherry Pie Recipe is loaded with sweet-tart cherries tucked inside a flaky, golden crust that's always a hit at holiday gatherings.
And when you're short on time, Cake Mix Peach Cobbler comes together with just a handful of ingredients for a warm, buttery dessert that's practically effortless.
Save this easy cherry crisp recipe for later
Whether you're serving it at a summer barbecue, taking it to a potluck, or simply satisfying a weeknight sweet tooth, this Easy Cherry Crisp Recipe is one of those desserts everyone loves. It's simple to make, filled with juicy cherries, and topped with a buttery oat crumble that's hard to resist. Just don't forget the vanilla ice cream-it melts into all those warm cherries and takes every bite over the top!
Leave a Reply