Cherries: The star of our show! Fresh, ripe, and pitted cherries provide the sweet and tangy foundation for the bubbling fruit filling. Opt for dark, sweet varieties like Bing or Rainier for the best results, or tart cherries if you prefer a sharper flavor.

Sugar: Granulated sugar balances the natural tartness of the cherries, enhancing their fruity notes and contributing to the syrup-like consistency of the filling.

Cornstarch: A vital thickening agent, cornstarch ensures your cherry filling achieves a perfectly luscious, jam-like texture without being watery, making every bite a delight.

Vanilla extract: A touch of pure vanilla extract elevates the overall flavor profile, adding a warm, aromatic depth that complements the cherries beautifully.

Rolled oats: These form the hearty, wholesome base of our irresistible crisp topping, providing a wonderful chewiness and structure to the golden crust.

Sliced almonds: Essential for the “almond” in Cherry Almond Crisp! They deliver a delicate nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch that makes the topping truly special.

Brown sugar: Adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness and a subtle molasses flavor to the crisp topping, contributing to its golden hue and delicious depth.

Flour: All-purpose flour helps bind the topping ingredients together, creating that perfectly crumbly yet cohesive streusel texture that we all love.

Butter: Melted butter is key to creating a rich, golden, and incredibly flavorful crisp topping. It binds the dry ingredients and helps them toast to perfection in the oven.

When preparing the cherries, precision in pitting is paramount. Use a cherry pitter for efficiency, or a pastry tip or even a sturdy straw if you don’t have one, ensuring no pits are left behind to avoid any unpleasant surprises during enjoyment. To truly elevate the filling’s flavor, consider macerating the pitted cherries with the sugar for about 30 minutes before incorporating the cornstarch and vanilla extract. This step allows the cherries to naturally release their flavorful juices, creating a more intense, cohesive, and deeply flavorful filling that will truly sing. Additionally, when assembling the crisp topping, ensure that the rolled oats, sliced almonds, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter are thoroughly combined. The mixture should resemble coarse, moist crumbs. This meticulous mixing guarantees an even distribution of ingredients and results in a consistently golden, delightfully crunchy topping across the entire crisp.

• Cherries – Substitute with blueberries: Blueberries are an excellent choice, offering a similar juicy texture and a sweet-tart flavor profile that makes them a wonderful alternative to cherries. They bake down beautifully and provide a slightly different, yet equally delightful, fruity base.

• Sugar – Substitute with honey: For a natural sweetener, honey can be used, adding a unique floral note and a deeper, more complex sweetness to your fruit filling. Adjust the quantity slightly as honey is often sweeter than granulated sugar.

• Cornstarch – Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is a fantastic gluten-free thickening agent that works similarly to cornstarch, providing a clear, glossy finish to your fruit filling. Use a slightly smaller amount as it can be more potent.

• Vanilla extract – Substitute with almond extract: To double down on the nutty notes, almond extract will intensify the almond flavor in the crisp, creating an even more cohesive and unique twist on the classic recipe.

• Rolled oats – Substitute with quinoa flakes: For a gluten-free option or a different texture, quinoa flakes provide a similar hearty base for the crisp topping, contributing a slightly different, but still satisfying, chewiness.

• Sliced almonds – Substitute with chopped pecans: Chopped pecans offer a rich, buttery flavor and a delightful crunch, making them a superb alternative to almonds. They bring a slightly different but equally complementary nutty essence to the topping.

• Brown sugar – Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a similar caramel-like flavor profile to brown sugar and a slightly lower glycemic index, offering a natural and equally delicious sweetness to your crisp topping.

• Flour – Substitute with almond flour: For a gluten-free twist that also amplifies the almond flavor, almond flour can be used in the topping, contributing a tender texture and a deeper nutty taste.

• Butter – Substitute with coconut oil: For a dairy-free option, coconut oil can be used in equal measure, providing a similar fat content for a rich topping, and imparting a subtle tropical hint to the overall flavor.

• Allow the cherry almond crisp to cool completely after baking. This is a crucial step that ensures the crisp topping sets properly and retains its delightful crunch, preventing it from becoming soggy during storage. Patience here will be rewarded!
• Once cooled, transfer any leftover crisp to an airtight container. If you prefer to keep it in the original baking dish, make sure to cover it tightly with several layers of plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil to create a strong seal.
• Store the cooled crisp in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The consistent cool temperature helps to maintain the freshness and vibrant flavor of the cherries, while also preserving the beloved crunchiness of the almond and oat topping.
• For extended storage, consider freezing the cherry almond crisp. Wrap the entire baking dish (if freezing whole) or individual portions tightly in plastic wrap. Then, add a final protective layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent any freezer burn and preserve its quality.
• Always label the container or wrapped dish with the date of freezing. This helps you keep track of its freshness and ensures you enjoy it within its optimal time frame. The crisp can be frozen for up to 3 months without significant loss of quality.
• When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen crisp, the best method for thawing is to transfer it to the refrigerator overnight. This slow, gradual thawing process is essential for retaining the original texture and full flavor of the delightful dessert.
• To reheat, place the thawed crisp in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until it’s warmed through and the topping has regained its desired crispiness. Covering loosely with foil can prevent over-browning.
• Serve the perfectly reheated cherry almond crisp with your favorite accompaniments, such as a luxurious scoop of vanilla ice cream, a cloud-like dollop of whipped cream, or even a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt for an extra special and indulgent treat.

• Oven Method (Recommended for Crispness): To best revive the original texture of your cherry almond crisp, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the crisp in an oven-safe dish, cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the topping from browning further, and bake for about 15-20 minutes. This method ensures it heats through evenly and the topping becomes wonderfully crispy again.

• Microwave Method (Quick and Convenient): For a rapid reheating solution, the microwave is your friend. Place a single portion of the cherry almond crisp in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, pausing halfway through to stir the fruit filling slightly and ensure even heating. Be cautious, as the fruit filling can become extremely hot, so allow it to cool for a moment before enjoying.

• Air Fryer Method (For Extra Crispy Topping): If you crave an extra crispy topping, your air fryer can do wonders. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place a portion of the cherry almond crisp directly in the air fryer basket, ensuring it’s in a single layer if possible. Heat for approximately 5-7 minutes, checking frequently after 3 minutes to avoid burning the delicate topping. This method delivers an incredibly crunchy texture.

• Stovetop Method (For Small Portions): For smaller servings, a skillet on the stovetop can work effectively. Place the cherry almond crisp in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Cover with a lid and heat for about 5-10 minutes, gently stirring the bottom portion occasionally to ensure even heating and to prevent any part from sticking or burning.

• Oven: The primary appliance for baking this delicious dessert, providing the consistent heat needed to perfectly cook the fruit filling and crisp the topping at 350°F (175°C).

• Large Mixing Bowl: Indispensable for combining the juicy cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and fragrant vanilla extract to create the flavorful fruit filling.

• Baking Dish: A 9×13 inch (or similar sized) oven-safe dish is the perfect vessel where the sweet cherry mixture and the delightful crisp topping are layered and baked to golden perfection.

• Medium Mixing Bowl: A second bowl is required specifically for meticulously mixing the oats, almonds, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter to form the irresistible crisp topping.

• Measuring Cups: Crucial for accurately measuring larger quantities of ingredients such as the generous amount of cherries, sugar, oats, and flour, ensuring precise ratios for perfect results.

• Measuring Spoons: Essential for precisely measuring smaller quantities of powerful ingredients like cornstarch and vanilla extract, ensuring balanced flavors.

• Spatula: A versatile tool, ideal for thoroughly mixing ingredients, gently folding mixtures, and expertly scraping the insides of bowls clean, minimizing waste.

• Cherry Pitter / Knife: If your cherries aren’t pre-pitted, a dedicated cherry pitter makes the job quick and easy. Alternatively, a small, sharp knife can be used to carefully remove the pits.

• Cutting Board: Provides a stable and safe surface, especially if you need to pit or lightly chop your cherries, protecting your countertops.

• Oven Mitts: Absolutely vital for safety when handling the extremely hot baking dish as you carefully place it into and remove it from the scorching oven.

• Cooling Rack: Allows air to circulate around the baking dish, facilitating an even and slightly faster cooling process for the baked crisp before it’s ready to be served.

Prepare the filling in advance: To get a head start, mix the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract the night before. Store this flavorful fruit mixture in an airtight container in the fridge, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully and saving you precious time on baking day.

Use a food processor for the topping: Expedite the creation of your crumbly topping by quickly combining the oats, almonds, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter. A few pulses in a food processor will achieve the perfect crumbly texture in seconds, saving your hands and time.

Pre-measure all ingredients (mise en place): Adopt the “mise en place” approach! Have all your ingredients measured, chopped, and ready to go before you even start mixing. This streamlines the entire baking process, making it much more efficient and enjoyable.

Opt for frozen pitted cherries: Skip the time-consuming task of pitting fresh cherries entirely by using high-quality frozen cherries that are already pitted. Remember to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid to maintain the perfect filling consistency.

Line the baking dish for easy cleanup: For a quicker and hassle-free cleanup after enjoying your delicious crisp, line your baking dish with parchment paper. This prevents any bubbling fruit juices from sticking to the dish, making washing up a breeze.