Cherry Crisp

This Lighter Cherry Crisp recipe is the ultimate summer dessert! Bursting with sweet cherries and a wholesome oat topping, this warm cherry crisp easily comes together with just a few simple ingredients!

It is officially cherry season and what better way to use up all these beauties than with this Lighter Cherry Crisp recipe! Juicy cherries bursting with sweetness all topped with a golden, crumbly crisp and scoops of vanilla ice cream for the reliable summer dessert. This cherry crisp is naturally sweetened with maple syrup, uses less butter than traditional crisps, and topped wi

If you are a chocolate lover, melt a little chocolate and drizzle it over top of the warm cherry crisp just before serving for some extra goodness! Who doesn't keep chocolate covered cherries?!

What goes in

• 5 cups cherries, pitted
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup oat flour
• 1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes

How it comes together

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray an 8×8-inch pan with nonstick spray.
2. Pit the cherries. Wash the cherries, remove the stems and leaves, and pit the cherries using a cherry pitter or a straw.
3. Prep the cherry filling. Transfer the cherries to an 8×8 baking dish, 9×9 baking dish or cast iron skillet coated in non-stick spray along with the maple syrup, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla and almond extract. Mix well until everything is fully incorporated and cherries are completely coated.
4. Make the crumble topping. In a medium bowl, mix together rolled oats, oat flour, pecans, coconut sugar, and maple syrup. Next add the butter (or solid coconut oil) and mix well using a pastry cutter (or your hands) to really get everything incorporated and the mixture resembles a nice crumble topping.
5. Assemble and bake. Sprinkle the oat crumble over top of the cherry mixture until evenly covered and bake the cherry crisp for 40 to 45 minutes. The cherry crisp will look golden brown and cherries should be soft and tender. If the oat topping starts browning too quickly, feel free to cover it with foil.
6. Serve immediately while the crisp is warm and A cook highly recommend topping with your favorite vanilla ice cream!