There’s something comforting about the aroma of a dessert baking in the oven, filling the kitchen with a warm and inviting scent. Especially when it’s a Warm Black Cherry Crisp! Every spoonful is like a little taste of heaven, and I promise you, once you try this recipe, you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Dessert:
It’s Simple: Just a handful of everyday ingredients, and you’re all set.
Black Cherry Goodness: Those sweet and tart black cherries are the show-stoppers here! And let’s not forget that tip about using the juice for a refreshing spritzer.🍹 Genius!
A Touch of Spice: The mix of cinnamon, allspice, and cloves gives this crisp a warm and spicy flavor that’s just so comforting.
Topping That Crunch: The combination of rolled oats, almond flour, pecans, and that golden honey drizzle creates a topping that’s to die for!
Making Your Warm Black Cherry Crisp: A Walkthrough 🍒
Prep Your Cherries: First, ensure your cherries are thawed and chopped. The tip about using frozen cherries is such a time-saver!
Mix It Up: Combine cherries, honey, and your spices. Don’t forget those fresh thyme leaves. They add a hint of unexpected freshness!
Topping Time: Now, for that crunchy topping! Combine your rolled oats, almond flour, chopped pecans, honey, melted butter, a pinch of salt, and that coconut oil. Blend until everything’s mixed well.
Get Baking: Pour your cherry mixture into your cast iron mini-servers or skillet. Top it off with your crunchy topping mixture. Bake until golden and bubbly. The aroma will be irresistible!
Making the Most Out of Your Cherries
You know, there’s something about cherries that always reminds me of warm summer days. But the beauty of this recipe? It makes use of frozen cherries. Why? Because they’re a fuss-free alternative to fresh ones. Just let them thaw and collect that rich cherry liquid. And, oh! Don’t toss that juice! It’s cherry gold. Mix it with club soda, throw in some crushed mint, and voila, you’ve got yourself a zesty cherry spritzer on the side. 🍹
Quick Recipe Rundown
Prep Time: Just 20 minutes. Yes, you’re 20 minutes away from getting this beauty into the oven!
Cook Time: A mere 30 minutes. Perfect for those surprise guests or late-night dessert cravings.
Serves: 4-6 (Or just one if you’re feeling particularly indulgent 😉)
Special equipment: Those cute 4 9-oz. oval cast iron mini-servers are perfect for this. If they’re not handy, a trusty 10” cast iron skillet is your best friend.
Gathering Your Ingredients
For the Cherry Filling:
4½ c. frozen black cherries, thawed and lovingly chopped
A sweet ¼ c. honey (local if you can get it – support those bees and beekeepers!)
Spices to warm your soul: ½ t. ground cinnamon, ½ t. ground allspice, and ¼ t. ground cloves
1 T. fresh thyme leaves (a little green goodness)
For the Crispy Topping:
1 c. old-fashioned rolled oats (the golden crunch!)
½ c. almond flour (for that nutty undertone)
½ c. chopped pecans (because who can resist?)
1/3 c. honey (more of that golden sweetness)
3 T. unsalted butter, melted to perfection
A pinch of love, or 1/8 t. table salt 😉
2 T. of your choice of melted coconut oil (or olive oil, if you’re feeling Mediterranean)
Serving Suggestions & Tips
Once you’ve baked this delectable Warm Black Cherry Crisp, you might be wondering about the best way to enjoy it. Let’s dive into some drool-worthy suggestions:
Top It Up 🍨
Nothing pairs better with a warm dessert than a scoop of vanilla ice cream. As the ice cream melts over the warm crisp, you get a delightful mix of cold, creamy, and warm, crunchy goodness in every bite.
Whipped Delight
For those who are more into whipped cream than ice cream, go ahead and dollop some freshly whipped cream on top. Maybe even sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on the whipped cream for an added touch.
Fresh Berries on the Side
Even though this is a cherry-based dessert, you can always add a side of fresh berries for a burst of freshness. Think raspberries, blueberries, or even slices of strawberries.
Drizzle Time
For an extra layer of sweetness, consider drizzling over some caramel sauce or even chocolate. It gives an added depth of flavor and richness.
A Note on Pairing 🍷:
Wondering what drink might go best with your dessert? A glass of dessert wine or even a sparkling rosé can complement the flavors perfectly.
ALSO READ: Non-Alcoholic Berry Peach Sangria: Sparkling, Sweet, and Summery
Making Ahead & Storage:
If you’re planning a get-together and wondering if this can be prepped ahead, the answer is a resounding YES! Assemble everything, leave the baking for just before serving, and you’ve got a fresh, warm dessert ready to wow your guests.
For leftovers (if there are any!), store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just pop it in the oven to warm it up.
In Conclusion:
This Warm Black Cherry Crisp is more than just a dessert. It’s an experience. From the aroma filling up your kitchen to the burst of flavors in every bite, it promises comfort and indulgence. Whether you’re having it on a cozy winter evening or as a summer treat with a scoop of ice cream, it never fails to impress.
FAQs: Warm Black Cherry Crisp 🍒
Can I use other fruit instead of cherries?
Absolutely! Feel free to sub in blueberries, apples, or even mixed berries.
How can I store leftovers?
Store your crisp in an airtight container in the fridge. It tastes fabulous cold, too!
Can I use fresh cherries?
Sure can! But honestly, the frozen ones are such a lifesaver and work perfectly in this recipe.
Black Cherry Crisp 😋🍒 The Ultimate Comfort Dessert You Can’t Resist!
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet or 4 mini-servers
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
For the Cherry Filling:
- 4½ cups frozen black cherries thawed and chopped
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
For the Crispy Topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ⅓ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ⅛ teaspoon table salt
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine thawed and chopped cherries, honey, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and thyme leaves. Stir until well mixed.
- Prepare the Topping: In a separate bowl, mix the rolled oats, almond flour, chopped pecans, honey, melted butter, salt, and coconut oil until combined.
- Assemble the Crisp: Divide the cherry mixture evenly into 4 (9-oz.) cast iron mini-servers or use a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Sprinkle the oat-pecan topping generously over the cherry mixture.
- Bake: Bake for 30 minutes or until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbly.
- Serve: Let it cool slightly before serving. Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra treat!
Notes
- Frozen cherries are perfect for this recipe, but you can use fresh cherries if available. Just make sure to pit and chop them.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to enjoy warm.
- Feel free to swap the cherries with other fruits like blueberries, apples, or mixed berries for a different flavor profile.
Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce. Pair with a glass of dessert wine or sparkling rosé for an indulgent treat.