Easy Cherry Crumble Recipe with Frozen Cherries

---

 As the leaves begin to change and temperatures start to drop, there’s nothing quite like the comfort of a warm, bubbling cherry crumble fresh from the oven. While cherries might remind you of summer, this easy cherry crumble recipe is actually the perfect transition dessert as we head into fall. The tartness of cherries paired with warm spices and a golden, buttery crumble topping creates the ideal comfort food for those crisp autumn evenings when you’re craving something sweet and satisfying.

I’ll be honest with you – as a home cook here in Ohio, I’ve been experimenting with cherry desserts all year long, and this cherry crumble recipe has become my go-to when I want something that feels both nostalgic and effortless. Whether you’re using fresh cherries from your summer haul (lucky you if you froze some!), picking up frozen cherries from the grocery store, or even reaching for canned cherries in a pinch, this recipe works beautifully.

What Makes This Cherry Crumble Special

The beauty of a good cherry crumble recipe lies in its simplicity. Unlike more complicated desserts that require precise techniques or fancy equipment, this recipe embraces the homestyle approach. You get all the satisfaction of a made-from-scratch dessert without the stress of complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients.

What sets this recipe apart is its versatility. As we transition from the abundance of summer into the cozy months ahead, this dessert bridges that gap perfectly. The tartness of cherries provides a bright note that prevents fall desserts from becoming too heavy, while the warm, buttery crumble topping gives you all those comfort food feelings you’re craving as the weather cools down.

How to Make This Super Simple Cherry Crumble

The Foundation: Cherry Filling Options

The star of any cherry crumble using canned cherries, frozen, or fresh fruit is, of course, the cherry filling. Here’s where this recipe really shines in its flexibility:

For Fresh or Frozen Cherries: Start with about 6 cups of pitted cherries. If you’re using frozen cherries (which I often do because they’re available year-round and already pitted – thank goodness!), don’t bother thawing them first. Toss your cherries with 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. The cornstarch is crucial here – it helps thicken the juices as the crumble bakes, preventing that dreaded soggy bottom.

For the Canned Cherry Route: If you’re going with canned cherry pie filling (absolutely no judgment here – we all have those nights!), you can use two large cans and skip the additional thickeners and most of the sugar since it’s already sweetened and thickened for you.

The Crumble Topping That Makes It All Worthwhile

This is where the magic happens, folks. A good crumble topping should be buttery, slightly sweet, and have enough texture to create that perfect contrast with the soft, juicy fruit beneath.

For the topping, you’ll combine:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (because fall vibes!)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons cold butter, cubed

The key to a great crumble topping is keeping that butter cold and working it in just until you have a mixture that resembles coarse breadcrumbs with some larger butter pieces still visible. Those butter pieces will create the most amazing golden, crispy bits as it bakes.

Assembly and Baking

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish (or a similarly sized casserole dish – I’m not picky about exact dimensions here).

Spread your prepared cherry filling evenly in the bottom of the dish. Then comes the satisfying part – sprinkling that crumble topping evenly over the cherries. Don’t pack it down; just let it fall naturally for the best texture.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and you can see the cherry filling bubbling around the edges. The smell alone will have your family gathering in the kitchen!

Cherry Crumble vs. Cherry Crisp: What’s the Difference?

I used to get so confused about the difference between crisps, crumbles, cobblers, and all the other fruit dessert variations. Here’s the simple breakdown:

A cherry crumble (what we’re making here) has a streusel-like topping made with flour, sugar, butter, and sometimes oats. A cherry crisp typically includes nuts in the topping – but since my son has tree nut allergies, we stick with the nut-free crumble version in our house.

The terms are often used interchangeably, so don’t stress too much about the technicalities. What matters is that you end up with a delicious dessert that makes your house smell amazing!

Tips for the Perfect Cherry Crumble

Don’t Skip the Lemon Juice: Even if you’re using sweet cherries, a little acidity brightens the overall flavor and prevents the dessert from being too cloying.

Let It Rest: After baking, let your crumble cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This gives the filling time to thicken up properly.

Serve It Right: This is fantastic on its own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream takes it to the next level.

Make It Ahead: You can assemble this crumble a day ahead and refrigerate it, then bake it when you’re ready to serve. Perfect for entertaining!

Variations to Try This Fall

As we head into apple season, consider mixing cherries with diced apples for a cherry apple crumble. The combination is surprisingly delicious and very fall-appropriate.

You can also add warm spices like nutmeg, ginger, or even a touch of cardamom to the filling for a more seasonal flavor profile.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover cherry crumble (if there is such a thing!) keeps well covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or warm the whole dish in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes.

Why This Cherry Crumble Recipe Works for Busy Home Cooks

As someone who’s not a professional chef but loves to create satisfying meals and desserts for my family, I appreciate recipes that deliver maximum impact with minimal fuss. This easy cherry crumble fits the bill perfectly.

You can make it with whatever cherries you have on hand, it doesn’t require any special techniques, and it’s nearly impossible to mess up. Plus, it makes your house smell incredible – which is honestly half the appeal of baking during the cooler months.

Whether you’re looking to use up a stash of frozen cherries, want to try something new with canned cherry filling, or just need a reliable dessert that feels special without being complicated, this recipe delivers every time.

Commonly Asked Questions

Similar Recipes

If you like recipes with cherries, you will enjoy the recipes below:

• Easy Cherry Cobbler Recipe
• Brownie Cherry Cobbler Recipe
• Cherry Cordial Brownies

Print