I remember the first time I baked a cherry almond crumble. A heat wave had left the kitchen heavy and the farmer’s market had just put out cherries in wide wooden boxes. I bought more than I needed because the fruit looked like tiny rubies and because I wanted the kind of dessert that smells like summer and still tastes like home on a chilly evening. That night I sat on the back steps with a bowl of warm crumble and a spoon, and the world felt small and good. Making this crumble feels like that: simple, forgiving, and close enough to share with neighbors or tuck into a quiet night alone.
I keep this recipe on repeat for two reasons: it asks for very little fuss, and it rewards you with big flavor. The almond flour and almond extract deepen the fruit’s sweetness without needing complicated techniques. You can spoon the crumble into a single baking dish or build them into individual servings for company. The texture lands right between tender and crisp, and the aroma that fills the house is the sort that makes people wander into the kitchen and ask what’s baking.
For busy weeknights or slow weekends, comfort food works best when it respects your time and pantry. If you like easy, reliable recipes that transform simple ingredients into something memorable, you’ll appreciate how this crumble behavesquick to pull together, forgiving of substitutions, and excellent reheated. For other fuss-free crowd-pleasers, we’ve tested short, satisfying recipes like our easy Buffalo chicken dip, which follows the same DishGrub philosophy of being fast, flavorful, and family-friendly.
DishGrub tests recipes in home kitchens so you don’t have to. We focus on cozy, practical dishes that use accessible ingredients and straightforward techniques. We scale recipes for families and make clear swaps when pantry staples run low. Our goal is to help you build go-to dishes that feel like home: dependable, delicious, and just the right amount of comforting when you need it.
Why this recipe works
This crumble balances a tart, juicy cherry filling with a lightly nutty, crisp topping that requires no rolling pin or special tools. Almond flour adds a tender crumb and deep, toasty notes that amplify the cherries without overpowering them. Rolled oats give the topping a rustic chew and reliable texture while brown sugar caramelizes and adds molasses-like warmth.
The recipe relies on melted butter to bind ingredients quickly and evenly, which means you can mix everything in one bowl and get it into the oven fast. The almond extract enhances the natural cherry flavors the way a little vanilla enhances baked goods: subtly and effectively. Because cherries release juices as they bake, the topping soaks up some of that syrup and crisps up along the edges, creating a contrast between bubbling fruit and golden crumbs that feels like comfort with a bite.
How to prepare Easy Cherry Almond Crumble
You’ll move from pantry to oven in just a few focused steps. Prepare your baking dish, measure ingredients ahead of time if you like, and keep the cherries pitted and at room temperature so they warm through evenly. If you use frozen cherries, thaw and drain any excess liquid before combining to avoid a soggy topping. The oven does most of the work; your job is a gentle toss and an even spread so every spoon gets fruit and crumble.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherries, pitted
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Combine the cherries, almond flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, melted butter, almond extract, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl.
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Spread the cherry mixture evenly in a baking dish.
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Top with an optional mixture of additional oats and brown sugar for extra crunch.
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Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and the filling bubbles at the edges.
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Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Serving ideas
Serve this crumble warm straight from the oven for best texture. A generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of whipped cream complements the warm cherries and adds cold, creamy contrast. For a lighter finish, serve with plain Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey. If you plan a simple dinner around this treat, pair it with hearty mains like roasted chicken and a green salad, or set it out family-style with other homey dishesthe bright fruit works especially well after savory mains such as a rich pasta or a baked casserole. For a full comfort-food lineup, combine it with a classic lasagna or pasta bake and let guests move from savory to sweet at their own pace; our tested classic lasagna recipe makes a great partner for an evening that needs simple, satisfying dishes.
Storage tips
Cool the crumble completely at room temperature before storing. If you plan to eat it within two days, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer portions to an airtight container and refrigerate. To keep the topping as crisp as possible, store the fruit and the crumble topping separately: spoon the cherries into one container and the topping into another, then reheat together briefly so the topping regains some crunch.
For longer storage, freeze the crumble in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. If you freeze individual portions, wrap them tightly in foil or use freezer-safe containers; reheat from frozen with a little extra time and keep the foil on for the first part of warming so the filling heats without over-browning the topping.
DishGrub Kitchen Tips
Measure the almond flour and oats lightlydon’t pack themso the topping stays tender rather than dense. If your cherries taste particularly tart, add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar to the fruit mix to balance acidity. When you melt the butter, let it cool slightly before tossing it with the dry ingredients to avoid melting the brown sugar too quickly and causing a heavier texture.
Use a shallow baking dish for a larger surface area, which helps the topping crisp. A 9-inch pie dish or an 8×8-inch square pan works well. Rotate the dish halfway through baking if your oven runs hot or uneven. If the topping browns too fast before the filling bubbles, tent a bit of foil over the crumble for the remaining time.
Keep a small jar of almond extract in the pantryit lifts quick desserts like this one with only a half-teaspoon. If you need to stretch berries or stone fruit, swap half the cherries for sliced peaches or blueberries; the almond notes play nicely with most summer fruits.
Recipe variations
Make this crumble gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats. Replace almond flour with an equal amount of finely ground walnut or hazelnut meal for a different nutty profile. For a crunchier topping, increase the oats to 3/4 cup and add 1/4 cup chopped almonds or sliced almonds on top before baking.
If you prefer less sweetness, cut the brown sugar by a quarter or replace half with maple syrup, but reduce the melted butter by a tablespoon to keep the topping balanced. Turn this into mini parfaits by baking the fruit alone, layering it warm with toasted oat crumble and whipped cream in glasses. For a boozy twist, toss the cherries with a tablespoon of dark rum or brandy before baking and let the alcohol reduce in the oven for a deeper flavor.
Common questions
Q: Can I use frozen cherries?
A: Yes. Thaw frozen cherries and drain off excess liquid before mixing so the topping doesn’t get soggy. Pat them lightly with a paper towel if they feel very wet. If cherries release a lot of juice, increase the almond flour by a tablespoon to help the topping absorb moisture, and extend the bake time a few minutes until the filling bubbles and the topping crisps.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: You can. Replace melted butter with melted coconut oil or a dairy-free butter substitute measured the same. Coconut oil will add a slight coconut note that pairs well with cherries and almonds. Make sure your substitute remains liquid at room temperature while you mix so it coats the dry ingredients evenly.
Q: How do I reheat leftovers to keep the topping crisp?
A: Reheat refrigerated portions in a 325°F oven uncovered for 10–15 minutes until heated through; this restores crispness more effectively than the microwave. If the topping softened in the fridge, spreading it on a baking sheet and giving it a quick bake or broil for a minute or two can revive crunchwatch it closely to prevent burning.
Q: Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
A: Double the ingredient quantities and use a larger baking dish, such as a 9×13-inch pan. Monitor baking time; larger volumes may need an extra 10–15 minutes and a tent of foil if the topping browns before the center bubbles. Stir the fruit well and spread it evenly so heat distributes consistently.
Conclusion
For another take on cherries and almonds that inspired this dessert, see NeighborFood’s Cherry Almond Crumble recipe for different proportions and presentation ideas.
