Sour Cherry Crisp

We moved into our current home four years ago and I was over the moon excited when I realized the small tree in the back corner of our yard was a sour cherry tree! It is a small thrill to go in the back yard, harvest some fresh cherries, and make a dessert out of them :) Cherries represent all things wonderful about the summer; they are fresh, delicious and fleeting - just like summer itself.

I love crisps, because they are so simple and delicious. Also, the oats and fresh fruit make me feel a bit better about the sugar needed to offset the tart cherries. This crisp has a fresh summer flavor that is wonderful on its own, and even better with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream on top.

Sour Cherry Crisp

Fruit Layer Ingredients:

4 cups pitted cherries (you can use a combination of sour and bing cherries , the bing give a deeper red color to the dish)

1/4 cup cherry juice or water  (drain off the cherry juice after pitting the cherries and add enough water to equal 1/4th cup of juice)
2 tbsp cornstarch
3/4 cups natural vegan sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Crisp Topping Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup vegan margarine - cold
1/4 cup coconut oil - cold

Directions:

Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees.

Pit the cherries and combine them with all of the filling ingredients right in the baking dish you are planning to use. I used an 8x11" dish for mine, but 9x13" would work just as well.

In a mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, salt and brown sugar. Cut in the cold margarine and coconut oil until the mixture is a crumbly texture with only small pieces of butter here and there. Pour the topping over the cherry mixture and gently pat down to make an even topping. Bake for 45 minutes and let cool. Enjoy on its own or with vegan vanilla ice cream on top.

For 12 servings. Nutritional information from caloriecount.about.com.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 98 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories   300 Calories from Fat   115

% Daily Value*

Total Fat   12.8g 20%

Saturated Fat   5.3g 26%

Trans Fat   0.0g

Cholesterol   0mg 0%

Sodium   189mg 8%

Potassium   145mg 4%

Total Carbohydrates   45.0g 15%

Dietary Fiber   1.9g 8%

Sugars   25.9g

Protein   3.0g

Vitamin A 7% • Vitamin C 5% Calcium 2% • Iron 7%

Nutrition Grade D

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet