Easy Bourbon Cherry Crisp Recipe: The Ultimate Summer Dessert
There’s nothing quite like a homemade dessert to celebrate the warmth of summer or special occasions like Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. And if you’re craving the comforting flavors of a fruit pie but don’t want the fuss of making a perfect crust from scratch, then an Easy Bourbon Cherry Crisp is your ideal solution. This delightful dessert brings together the vibrant tartness of fresh cherries with the sophisticated warmth of bourbon, all beneath a buttery, crumbly oat topping. It’s a flavor combination that screams summer bliss and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, leaving everyone eager for a second helping, especially when served with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream.
Embrace the Simplicity of a Crisp
For those who love the taste of a classic fruit pie but prefer a more relaxed approach to baking, crisps are an absolute game-changer. They offer all the delicious fruit filling and a delightful textural contrast without the intricate steps involved in preparing a traditional pie crust. A crisp involves a simple, buttery base, a luscious fruit filling, and a crunchy streusel-like topping, usually made with oats. This Bourbon Cherry Crisp embodies that effortless elegance, allowing you to whip up an impressive dessert that looks and tastes fantastic with minimal stress. It’s the perfect choice when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
The Perfect Dessert for Any Summer Gathering
Whether you’re planning a Mother’s Day brunch, a Memorial Day picnic, or simply gathering friends and family for a summer BBQ, this Bourbon Cherry Crisp fits the bill perfectly. Its vibrant red hue from the cherries makes it visually appealing, while the warm, boozy, and sweet aroma fills your home with an inviting scent. It’s robust enough to hold up at outdoor events and comforting enough for a cozy evening treat. Imagine the smiles when you present this warm, bubbling crisp, fresh from the oven, ready to be adorned with melting ice cream. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s an experience that creates lasting memories.
The Inspiration: A Gift from the Heart (and a Dash of Bourbon)
The idea for this particular Bourbon Cherry Crisp stemmed from a playful Mother’s Day meme, suggesting margaritas for mom because, well, you might be the reason she drinks! While a margarita is certainly a fine choice, a delicious, boozy dessert feels even more special, a true indulgence. This crisp is designed to be a heartfelt gesture, a delectable way to show appreciation. It’s a dessert that says, “I love you, and I appreciate everything you do, so here’s a little something strong and sweet to enjoy.” For those of us who might be celebrating from afar, preparing or sharing this recipe is a lovely way to connect and send a sweet, boozy hug.
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Crafting the Perfect Bourbon Cherry Crisp
This recipe is built on three harmonious layers: a simple pastry crust, a luscious bourbon cherry filling, and a crunchy oat topping. Each component plays a crucial role in creating a dessert that’s balanced in flavor and texture, offering a little bit of everything in every spoonful.
The Foundational Pastry Crust
Unlike a traditional pie, this crisp starts with a quick and easy pastry crust pressed into the bottom of your baking dish. Made with just a few basic ingredients – flour, light brown sugar, salt, and cold butter – this crust provides a sturdy and slightly sweet base that complements the fruit filling without overwhelming it. Cutting in cold butter ensures flakiness and richness, creating a delightful foundation that’s far less daunting than rolling out a full pie crust. A quick pre-bake ensures it’s perfectly golden and firm before the juicy filling is added.
The Star: Bourbon Cherry Filling
The heart of this dessert is undoubtedly the Bourbon Cherry Filling. The combination of tart cherries and robust bourbon is a match made in heaven. The tartness of the cherries is beautifully mellowed and enhanced by the deep, caramel notes of the bourbon, while brown sugar adds a balancing sweetness. Cornstarch acts as a thickener, transforming the cherry juice and bourbon into a glistening, rich sauce that coats every cherry. Heating this mixture until bubbling and thickened ensures a perfectly set, flavorful filling that won’t be runny when sliced, providing that wonderful burst of fruit and spirit in every bite.
The Irresistible Oat Topping
No crisp is complete without its signature crunchy topping. This oat topping is simple yet incredibly effective, combining rolled oats, light brown sugar, flour, and melted butter. The oats provide a fantastic chewiness and rustic texture, while the flour and butter bind everything together, creating golden, caramelized crumbles during baking. Sprinkled generously over the cherry filling, this topping bakes to a beautiful golden-brown perfection, offering a delightful crunch that contrasts wonderfully with the soft, warm fruit underneath. It’s the finishing touch that brings the entire dessert together, making it truly a “crisp.”
Serving Your Bourbon Cherry Crisp
While delicious on its own, a Bourbon Cherry Crisp truly shines when served warm with a large scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, creamy ice cream slowly melts into the warm, boozy cherry filling and crunchy topping, creating a symphony of temperatures and textures that is simply divine. The vanilla complements the bourbon and cherries beautifully, enhancing the overall flavor profile. You can also add a dollop of freshly whipped cream for an extra touch of decadence. This dessert is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers (if there are any!) are still wonderfully tasty, especially when gently reheated.
Essential Tools for Your Baking Success
Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking experience. For this Bourbon Cherry Crisp, a beautiful and functional baking dish, like a Le Creuset signature oval baker, is a fantastic investment. Not only does it distribute heat evenly for perfect baking, but its elegant design allows you to take it straight from the oven to the table, making for a stunning presentation. Its durability and aesthetic appeal also make it a wonderful gift for any home baker, including your mom!
And speaking of gifts for mom, alongside a versatile oval baker, a simple yet elegant Le Creuset cake stand makes for a thoughtful present. Just be sure to present it to her adorned with a freshly baked cake or a dozen cupcakes – it’s her special day, after all, and she deserves nothing less than a delightful treat presented beautifully!
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This Recipe’s Must-Haves
- Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature 3QT. Oval Baker
- All-Clad Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
- All-Clad Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
- KitchenAid Nylon Spoon
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Le Creuset! As always, all opinions and recipe are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!
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Bourbon Cherry Crisp
ingredients
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cold butter cubed
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup tart cherry juice
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 4 cups pitted cherries
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 5 Tbsp melted butter
instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Add salt, sugar, and flour for the pastry crust to a medium bowl. Cut in butter using two knives.
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Press crust into the bottom of the baking dish.
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Bake crust for 15 minutes until it is barely turning golden brown. Remove from oven and set aside.
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While the crust is baking, add sugar, cornstarch, cherry juice and bourbon to a medium saucepan. Stir the mixture together until combined. Heat the bourbon mixture over medium-high heat until bubbling and thickened. Fold in cherries.
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Pour cherry mixture over the baked crust.
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In a small bowl, stir together ingredients for the topping, Sprinkle the mixture over the top.
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Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
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Serve with vanilla ice cream.