Cherry Almond Crisp Recipe

Cherries: Juicy and sweet, these are the star of the dish, providing a burst of flavor and color.

Sugar: Used to sweeten the cherries, balancing their natural tartness.

Cornstarch: A thickening agent that helps the cherry filling achieve the right consistency.

Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the cherry mixture.

Almond flour: A gluten-free alternative to wheat flour, offering a nutty taste and texture.

Gluten-free rolled oats: Provides a chewy texture to the crisp topping, ensuring it's gluten-free.

Brown sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness to the topping.

Melted butter: Helps bind the topping ingredients together, adding richness.

Cinnamon: A warm spice that enhances the flavor of the topping.

To achieve a perfectly golden and crispy topping for your cherry almond crisp, ensure that the almond flour and gluten-free rolled oats mixture is evenly distributed over the cherry mixture. This will allow the melted butter to coat the dry ingredients thoroughly, promoting even browning. Additionally, if you prefer a thicker filling, consider increasing the amount of cornstarch slightly to help the cherries set better as they bake.

• Pitted cherries - Substitute with blueberries: Blueberries offer a similar juicy texture and sweetness, making them a great alternative to cherries in a crisp.

• Sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index and adds a subtle caramel flavor, which complements the fruit well.

• Cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is a gluten-free thickening agent that works similarly to cornstarch, providing a glossy finish to the fruit filling.

• Vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract enhances the nutty flavor profile of the dish and pairs well with the almond flour.

• Almond flour - Substitute with hazelnut flour: Hazelnut flour provides a rich, nutty flavor and similar texture, making it a suitable replacement for almond flour.

• Gluten-free rolled oats - Substitute with quinoa flakes: Quinoa flakes are gluten-free and offer a similar texture to oats, adding a slight nutty flavor to the crisp topping.

• Brown sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and depth of flavor, while also being a liquid sweetener that can help bind the topping ingredients.

• Melted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil is a dairy-free alternative that provides a similar richness and helps to bind the topping ingredients together.

• Cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg offers a warm, spicy flavor that complements the fruit and nutty elements of the dish, similar to cinnamon.

• Allow the cherry almond crisp to cool completely at room temperature. This ensures that the topping remains crisp and doesn't become soggy when stored.

• For short-term storage, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the crisp to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• If you plan to enjoy the crisp later, freezing is a great option. First, wrap the baking dish with a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Alternatively, transfer the crisp to a freezer-safe container.

• Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness. The cherry almond crisp can be frozen for up to 3 months.

• When you're ready to indulge in the crisp, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture of the topping and the cherry filling.

• To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove any plastic wrap and cover the crisp with aluminum foil to prevent the topping from browning too quickly. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.

• For an extra-crispy topping, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating.

• Serve the cherry almond crisp warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful treat.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover cherry almond crisp in an oven-safe dish. Cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the topping from burning. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until the crisp is warmed through and the cherry filling is bubbly.

• For a quick fix, use the microwave. Place a portion of the crisp in a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking to ensure it’s heated evenly. Be cautious, as microwaving can sometimes make the topping less crispy.

• If you have an air fryer, it can be a great tool to reheat while keeping the topping crisp. Set the air fryer to 325°F (160°C). Place the crisp in a small oven-safe dish that fits in your air fryer basket. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn’t overcook.

• On the stovetop, use a skillet to reheat individual portions. Place the crisp in a non-stick skillet over low heat. Cover with a lid to trap the heat and gently warm the cherry filling. This method helps maintain the texture of the topping while ensuring the filling is heated evenly.

• Oven: Used to bake the cherry almond crisp at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).

• Mixing bowl: Utilized to combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract, as well as to mix the almond flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon.

• Baking dish: Holds the cherry mixture and topping while baking in the oven.

• Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring ingredients like sugar, cornstarch, almond flour, and oats.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure smaller quantities of ingredients such as vanilla extract and cinnamon.

• Spatula: Helpful for mixing ingredients thoroughly and scraping the sides of the mixing bowl.

• Oven mitts: Protect your hands when placing the baking dish in the oven and removing it once baked.

• Cooling rack: Allows the baked crisp to cool slightly before serving, ensuring even cooling.

Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure and pit the cherries ahead of time. Mix the dry ingredients for the topping and store them in a sealed container until ready to use.

Use pre-pitted cherries: Save time by purchasing pre-pitted cherries or using frozen ones. If using frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid before mixing.

Melt butter in microwave: Quickly melt the butter in the microwave instead of on the stove to save a few minutes.

Batch preparation: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick dessert option later.