Cherry crumble is one of those classic desserts that instantly brings comfort and joy to any table. I first learned to make this dish when I was experimenting with fresh summer fruits from the garden. The vibrant red cherries paired with a buttery crumble topping make the perfect combination. Whether you’re using fresh or frozen cherries, this easy homemade cherry crumble recipe is sure to win over anyone who tries it. It’s a great go-to dessert for family gatherings, picnics, or just a sweet treat after dinner.

Table of Contents
The Charm of Cherry Crumble
Why Cherry Crumble is the Perfect Dessert
Cherry crumble holds a special place in my heart, not just because of its sweet and tangy flavor but because of the memories it creates. It’s a simple, no-fuss dessert that’s ideal for all skill levels. The beauty of this Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe lies in the balance between the tart cherries and the crunchy, buttery topping. A cherry crumble makes the perfect way to celebrate cherry season, especially in the summer when fresh cherries are at their peak.
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Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe – A Simple & Delicious Dessert
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
This Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe is a delightful dessert made with juicy cherries and a buttery, crumbly topping. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with a crunchy topping that everyone will love. Whether you use fresh or frozen cherries, this easy-to-make dessert is guaranteed to bring warmth and comfort to any occasion.
Ingredients
4 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp cornstarch (to thicken the cherry filling)
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to bake your cherry crumble.
Prepare the Cherry Filling:
In a mixing bowl, combine the pitted cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat the cherries evenly. Once well mixed, pour this cherry mixture into a buttered baking dish. This will be the fruity base of your crumble.
Make the Crumble Topping:
In another bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Then, add the cold, diced butter and rub it into the mixture using your fingertips or a pastry cutter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Make sure to leave some larger pieces for extra texture!
Assemble the Crumble:
Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the cherry mixture in the baking dish. Make sure the cherries are well covered for a crunchy topping.
Bake:
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges. Your kitchen will smell absolutely divine!
Cool and Serve:
Once baked, carefully remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. Enjoy!
Notes
This cherry crumble features a luscious, juicy cherry base topped with a buttery, crumbly topping. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
The Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this easy homemade cherry crumble recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
These ingredients come together to create a decadent dessert that’s both comforting and simple. You can tweak the sugar depending on how sweet or tart you prefer the filling. Whether you’re baking for a small family gathering or a larger celebration, this recipe is versatile.
Preparing Your Cherry Crumble
Making the Cherry Filling
To begin your Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe, the first step is preparing the cherry filling. In a spacious mixing bowl, blend together fresh or frozen pitted cherries with granulated sugar, cornstarch, and a small amount of lemon juice. The sugar helps balance the tartness of the cherries, while the cornstarch will thicken the juices as it bakes, creating a rich and velvety filling.
Gently toss the ingredients until the cherries are evenly coated. Once everything is mixed, pour the cherry mixture into a buttered baking dish. This will create an ideal foundation for the crumble topping.
Ensure the cherries are spread out evenly so every spoonful has that delicious fruity flavor. As the crumble bakes, the filling will soften and release its juices, thickening into a beautifully jam-like texture, making your Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe a delicious treat.
Creating the Perfect Crumble Topping
The crumble topping is the element that makes this Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe truly irresistible. In a separate bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, rolled oats, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. This blend serves as the base for the topping, with the oats adding texture and the brown sugar lending a rich, caramel-like sweetness.
Next, incorporate the cold, diced butter into the dry ingredients. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. It’s important not to overwork the butter; larger chunks will give the topping a delightful crunch once baked.
To enhance the flavor, you might want to incorporate a dash of nutmeg or a hint of vanilla extract. Once your crumble topping is ready, evenly distribute it over the cherry filling, making sure to cover the cherries completely. This ensures a beautiful, golden crust will form during the baking process, making your Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe the perfect balance of sweet fruit and crunchy topping.
Baking and Assembling Your Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe
Assembling the Crumble
Once you have your cherry filling and crumble topping ready, it’s time to assemble your Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe. This step is simple but crucial to achieving the perfect texture.
Start by pouring the cherry mixture evenly into a buttered baking dish. The juicy, tart cherries will form a rich, flavorful base for the crumble. Next, take the crumble topping that you prepared previously and generously sprinkle it over the cherry filling. Make sure that the entire surface of the cherries is covered with the topping. This ensures that every bite will have that pleasing crunch.
For even more texture, you can gently press down on the topping to help it stick together slightly. This will encourage it to bake into a beautiful golden layer, offering the perfect balance of soft fruit and crisp crumble. If you prefer an extra crunchy topping, feel free to add a little more oats or brown sugar to the crumble mix.
Baking to Perfection
The most exciting part of preparing your Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe is baking it! Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once it’s heated, place your prepared baking dish in the center of the oven.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, allowing the crumble topping to turn golden brown and become wonderfully crisp. During this time, the cherry filling will bubble up around the edges, releasing a delicious aroma throughout your kitchen.
As the crumble bakes, the cherry juices will mix with the crumble topping, creating a perfect balance of soft fruit and crunchy texture. To test if it’s ready, insert a fork into the center to ensure the topping is crunchy and well-cooked.
When the crumble is golden and the filling is bubbling, remove it from the oven. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the juices to settle, which will make it easier to serve.
Serving and Enjoying Your Cherry Crumble
Let it Cool and Dust with Powdered Sugar
Once your Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe is out of the oven, let it cool for about 5 to 10 minutes. This cooling period is important because it allows the cherry filling to set and thicken, making it easier to serve. To add a refined finish, lightly sprinkle powdered sugar on top. This simple addition enhances the visual appeal and adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tart cherries.
Best Ways to Serve
Cherry crumble is delightful on its own, but to take it up a notch, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The cold, creamy topping complements the warm, juicy cherries and the crunchy crumble perfectly. For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the crumble. This Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe is best enjoyed while warm, but it also makes for an amazing leftover dessert. If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat for a quick and comforting treat the next day.
Conclusion
This Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe is not only a treat for your taste buds but also a quick and simple dessert to make. The cherry filling, combined with a buttery, crunchy crumble topping, offers a perfect balance of tart, sweet, and savory flavors that everyone will enjoy. Whether you’re using fresh or frozen cherries, this crumble will fill your home with comforting aromas and make any occasion feel special. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent experience. No matter how you serve it, this cherry crumble will always be a crowd-pleaser!
FAQs – Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe
What is the secret to good crumble?
The secret to a perfect Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe is balancing the textures. The topping should be buttery and crisp, while the fruit filling should be juicy and thick. Using cold butter in the crumble topping helps create that delightful crunch. Additionally, make sure to cover the fruit completely with the crumble topping for an even texture.
What is the difference between a cherry crumble and a crisp?
Both desserts feature a fruit filling topped with a crunchy topping, but there’s a key difference. A cherry crumble typically uses a topping made of butter, flour, sugar, and oats, while a crisp often includes nuts like almonds or walnuts in the topping. The topping of a crisp is usually crunchier, while the crumble topping is more crumbly and soft.
How do you make crumble topping for cherry pie?
To make a crumble topping for a cherry pie, use the same method as for a Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe. Simply combine flour, oats, sugar, and cold butter, and rub the butter into the dry ingredients until it forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumble on top of the pie before baking for a crunchy, sweet finish.
How do you make crumble?
To make crumble, mix together flour, sugar, and cold butter until the mixture becomes a coarse crumb texture. Add oats or nuts if desired for extra crunch. The crumble is then sprinkled over fruit, such as cherries, and baked until golden brown. This easy method makes for a delicious, comforting dessert like the Easy Homemade Cherry Crumble Recipe.