How to Make Homemade Cherry Crumble

When you have an abundance of cherries during cherry season, nothing tastes better than a warm cherry crumble. This dessert is easier and quicker to make than a cherry pie with the same sweet flavor. It is a great way to use up all of those plump, juicy cherries.

Like cherry compote, this delicious cherry crumble recipe uses dark sweet cherries. Start with frozen or fresh fruit for the cherry filling. The sweet cherries release their juices as the filling bubbles in the oven, creating the ultimate fruit flavor.

Crispy oat crumble adds texture and a nutty taste. Equipped with oats, almond flour, cinnamon, and crunchy almonds, the topping combines with butter for a flavor that complements the sweet, tart cherries. Enjoy this crumble warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or Chantilly cream for added decadence.

What is a fruit crumble made of?

A fruit crumble is a straightforward, simple dessert with fresh fruit and a streusel-like, crumbly topping. The dessert's name, "crumble," is thought to have originated in England. It's beautiful, easy to make, and versatile for almost any seasonal fruit.

Like pies and tarts in flavor and concept, crumbles are deceptively simple to make, requiring no special tools and minimal effort. The fruit base combines a few ingredients before transferring to a baking dish. The crumb topping is typically made from flour, sugar, and fat but often includes oats as well.

Easy Cherry Crumble Recipe

Homemade cherry crumble is one of the easiest desserts to make. An alternative to pie, this cherry recipe requires no cooking. Once the filling and crumble topping have been mixed, they are layered in a baking dish and put into the oven - it is just that easy! The hot bubbling filling marries with the crispy, golden brown topping for an irresistible fruit treat.

• Sweet Cherry Filling - Dark cherries shine in this cherry crumble recipe. The sweet, tart flavor of the fruit is prominent in every bite. Crumble is one of the easiest cherry desserts to make.
• Buttery Crumble - An alternative to pie crust, the crumble's topping is streusel-like and crumbly textured. Flour, oats, and sugar combine with butter. It takes minutes to prepare and bakes until golden brown.
• Easy Dessert Recipe - As far as desserts go, crumble is one of the easiest. It is a simple way to use up ripe fruit and a delicious last-minute dessert option to share with friends or family. Everyone will love it, especially with ice cream.

Ingredients

• Dark Cherries (pitted) - Dark cherries have a sweet taste and gorgeous color. The darker the cherry, the better the taste. If using fresh cherries, be sure they are nice and ripe. Use fresh or frozen cherries in this crumble recipe.
• Cornstarch - Cornstarch absorbs some of the liquid as the cherries release their juices in the oven. It keeps the filling from becoming too soupy or saucy.
• Lemon Juice (fresh) - Lemon adds needed acid while also enhancing the flavor of the cherry filling.
• Vanilla Extract
• Light Brown Sugar (packed) - The sugar emphasizes the flavor of the fruit without overpowering the dessert in sweetness.
• Rolled Oats - Be sure to use rolled oats for the best texture.
• Almond Flour - Almond flour is nutty and thick, making it perfect for crumble topping.
• Ground Cinnamon
• Almonds (chopped) - Almonds add crunch, texture, and nutty taste.
• Unsalted Butter (softened at room temperature) - Butter completes the crumble topping, adding needed fat and helping it become golden brown and crispy.

See the recipe card for the ingredient quantities.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Cornstarch - Arrowroot
• Lemon Juice - Orange Juice, Lime Juice
• Vanilla Extract - Almond Extract (start with ½ teaspoon)
• Light Brown Sugar - Dark Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar, Stevia, Coconut Sugar
• Almond Flour - All-Purpose Flour, Oat Flour
• Almonds - Pecans, Walnuts

Instructions

STEP 1 - Preheat the oven to 350℉.

STEP 2 - Place the pitted cherries in a large mixing bowl with two tablespoons of light brown sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and vanilla extract. Stir to coat the cherries.

STEP 3 - Combine the oats, almond flour, remaining light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and chopped almonds in a separate medium bowl. Rub the softened butter into the oat mixture until large crumbs form.

STEP 4 - Spread the cherry mixture in the base of an 8-inch square baking pan. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the fruit mixture, ensuring the cherries are covered.

STEP 6 - Bake the crumble for 25-30 minutes until the fruit filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Variations

• Vegan - Swap the butter for a dairy-free, vegan alternative.
• Low-Sugar - While cherries contain fructose, you can swap the brown sugar for Monk Fruit Sweetener or Stevia.
• Individual - Evenly divide the cherry filling and topping between six ramekin dishes. Baking times will vary.
• Alternative Fruit - Swap half of the cherries for apples, rhubarb, plums, peaches, or your favorite fruits. Peel the fruit as needed and make sure the fruit is the same size as the cherries for even baking.

Suggested Equipment

• Cherry Pitter - Cherries can be tricky (and messy) to pit. This cherry pitter makes the job a breeze.
• Large Bowl - You'll need bowls to mix the filling and topping. I love Pyrex Bowls because you can see when everything has been properly combined.
• 8-Inch Baking Dish - Bake the crumble in a sturdy baking dish like this one.

Storage

Once cooled, cover the pan of crumble with a piece of foil or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Store the cherry crumble in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Delicious Fruit Desserts

• Mixed Berry Eton Mess
• Creamy Mango Mousse
• Cherry Almond Snack Cake
• Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Fluff

Expert Tips

1. Lightly grease the baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to the cherry mixture if using frozen fruit.
3. Bake the crumble in a preheated oven for even cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know when a crumble is done baking?The filling will be bubbly with softened cherries, and the topping will be golden brown and crispy.

Can you make a fruit crumble the day before?Separately assemble the topping and cherry filling ahead of time but refrain from baking until the day needed to prevent a soggy crumble.

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