If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I’m fairly uncomplicated. My Mom even proclaimed me “least high-maintenance” out of the entire family at our last Sunday lunch. YES! I was so proud.
To me, life’s simple (ok, when it’s not.) Try to do the right thing, be kind, tolerant, and out-serve others.
Now, before you think I’m making myself out to be some sort of saint, I procrastinate way too much, am incredibly impatient, care too much about what others think of me, and sweat profusely when nervous.
There. Happy?
Anyway, I guess it’s due to my tendency to have a “black or white” outlook on a lot of things. Good, or bad. Happy, or sad. Right, or wrong. It just seems like so much time is wasted in “grey” areas. (Which is a total Type A thing to say, and why I can’t work in corporate America anymore. Hello hour long meetings over issues that could be resolved in one email!)
What does this have to do with Cherry Almond Crisp again?
Oh, right. If you’ve been reading IGE for any length of time, than you know my cooking style is very reflective of my personality. Uncomplicated. If I had room for a second tagline next to “Eat Well. Run Often. Travel Far.” it’d be – good tasting food doesn’t have to cost a lot, and can be easy to make too.
Which is exactly how I would describe Cherry Almond Crisp.
Sweet, in-season cherries are spiced with cinnamon and vanilla, then buried under a mountain of almond-spiked crisp and baked until golden brown. Just fresh fruit and pantry staples tossed together then baked. Uncomplicated and easy, yet foot-stompingly delicious. (You know, so good it makes you want to stomp your feet?)
See, cherries and almonds were made to meet in this crisp. While the sweet fruit softens to create a thick, syrupy sauce in the bottom of the baking dish, roughly chopped almonds in the crisp brown and toast from the heat of the oven on top. It is the perfect flavor combo.
Snag some fresh, in-season (read: inexpensive) cherries at the grocery store, then raid your pantry for the rest of your ingredients and make this ASAP!
Start the Cherry Almond Crisp with 1-1/2 pounds sweet cherries. I’ve been finding them for $1.99-$2.99/lb at Whole Foods recently!
Pit the cherries by hand (slice and pop like a peach) or with a cherry pitter, like this one that I stole from my Mom gave me. (Psst – it’s the same one I’ve giving away at the end of this post!)
Once all the cherries have been pitted, slice what’s left in half. I say “what’s left” because you would not believe how easy it is to plow throw pitted cherries before you even know what’s happening…
To the halved cherries, add 1 Tablespoon sugar, 2 teaspoons gluten-free measure for measure flour, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon then toss to combine.
Spoon the spiced cherries into a non-stick sprayed baking dish, then set it aside while you work on the crisp.
The best part of this crisp is that it adds roughly chopped almonds to the mixture of oats, sugar, flour, and butter for fantastic crunch. First combine 1/2 cup each certified gluten-free oats and brown sugar with 1/4 cup gluten-free measure for measure flour in a small bowl.
Add 1/4 cup roughly chopped almondsfollowed by 1/4 cup cold butter cut into cubes.
Finally, add the secret ingredient: 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. A little almond extract goes a long way, so you only need to add a tiny bit to get it’s sweet, totally unique flavor. (BTW I usually add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon almond extract to my sugar cookie dough. Try it sometime – you’ll have everyone asking you what’s in there!)
Incorporate the butter into the ingredients with your fingers until it’s pretty smooth, then spread the crisp on top of the cherries.
Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until the crisp is golden brown. Then open a mason jar to capture the scent coming out of your kitchen to sniff at a later date. Unbelievable!
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Cherry Almond Crisp
Description
Cherry Almond Crisp is a simple yet absolutely luscious summer dessert. Or use frozen cherries to make all year round!
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 lbs cherries, pitted and halved
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons gluten-free measure for measure flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- For the crisp:
- 1/2 cup certified gluten-free old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup gluten-free measure for measure flour
- 1/4 cup cold butter, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine cherries, sugar, flour, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Spray a 10.5x7" or 8x8" baking dish with non-stick spray then pour in the cherry mixture. In a separate bowl combine all the ingredients for the crisp. Smush with fingers until butter is well incorporated, then pour over cherry mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until crisp is deeply golden brown.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I mean, fruit, oats, sugar, butter, and almonds. So uncomplicated, yet so, so mouthwatering. Be sure to make this while cherries are in season, as the cherry/almond combo really is cah-razy good. Otherwise, frozen/thawed/drained berries, or apples will work with the crisp too.
Ok, ok, if you want to complicate things a wee bit, plant a scoop Tahitian Vanilla Gelato on top to melt over the warm crisp. Oh HECK yes!
Now – in order to make this crisp come together even faster for ya’, I’m giving away a free Cherry Pitter! Just place a cherry into the cradle, then press down and the pit will pop right out. Easy!
Enter to win this free cherry pitter by tomorrow, Wednesday, August 22 @ 5pm central, by telling me what your favorite fruit crisp is in the comments section of this post (not by email.)
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!***
Leah 08.21.2012
My favorite is apple & pear crisp…very tasty combination! Can’t wait for Fall to get here so I can get to baking for my family : )
Bridget Montgomery 08.21.2012
My mom’s peach cobbler is my favorite!
I would’ve loved to have had the cherry potter when I was making your cherry salsa!
Jill 08.21.2012
Peach!
Heather W. 08.21.2012
I always go with apple!!!
Abi 08.21.2012
Rhubarb!
Mary 08.21.2012
Cherry!
Lara C 08.21.2012
Cherry! I can’t wait to try this recipe – and adding almond extract? genius! Excited to try it in sugar cookies next time too!
Thanks!
Karan 08.21.2012
Apple Crisp but I will gladly try the cherry and maybe be converted if I have a new (stolen :) cherry pitter :)!!
Barb 08.21.2012
Apple crisp is the best, hands down!
Analecia 08.21.2012
Apple Crisp! The best!
Aidan 08.21.2012
Definitely blueberry peach crisp!
Lauren 08.21.2012
YES!! I need this so much! I was going to say my favorite fruit crisp is peach but now seeing this makes me rethink that. :)
Cassidy 08.21.2012
I literally just made a fruit crisp (I called it a fruit crumble) tonight for dessert. I made it with strawberries and fresh raspberries I just picked this morning. I bought delicious Calder dairy (here in Michigan) vanilla ice cream to scoop on top. This is my ALL TIME favortite type of dessert and now I really want to make a cherry crisp.
Candy M. 08.21.2012
My favorite crisp is peach – oh yum!
Ali Klein 08.21.2012
I’m in love with a blueberry/blackberry recipe I make, it’s called a cobbler but it’s got the topping that makes a crisp, it’s my crispycobbler so if it counts it’s my favorite. But I’m definitely trying this cherry one out and I would LOVE a cherry pitter, they are awesome!!!
Keybe 08.21.2012
$2.99/lb at Whole Foods? I am having serious Midwest grocery price envy right now. Cherries were just on sale at WF here in DC for $4.99/lb.
Great looking recipe, I may just have to try it gluten free. Should be easy since there’s so little flour in it.
Danielle 08.21.2012
My favorite crisp is cherry and pineapple. The sweetness of the cherries along with the tartness of the pineapple with butter pecan ice cream is a delectable combination that will make your mouth dance.
Danae Johnson 08.21.2012
Either strawberry-rhubarb or apricot :) I could eat the entire pan!!
Bonnie Buchholtz 08.21.2012
I love a pear crisp with some gorgonzola thrown in and the typical topping
Angela 08.21.2012
peach!