The fun thing about putting fruit in a dessert is that you can almost call it ‘healthy’ regardless of what else you do to it. Because… it’s fruit! Fruit is good for you! Full of vitamins, antioxidants, and ‘good’ carbs, though I hardly know a bad one. But you know what I mean… fruit carbs are arguably better than straight sugar carbs. However, I think that view all depends on your outlook in life because, hey, I like quick energy now and again. Sign me up for the sugar rush.
Either way, we can call this healthy! Again, it’s fruit! Okay, I can’t claim it’s totally healthy, but I can say that it’s healthi-er. So at least there’s that. Seriously, it’s a ton of apples and dried cherries, so you really shouldn’t feel bad about indulging. It tastes sinful, but leave the guilt. You don’t need it.
The combination of tart Granny Smith apples and tart cherries is a lot of tart going on, but it’s perfectly countered by the sweetness of the McIntosh apples, the wonderfulness that is brown sugar, and the warmness of cinnamon. It has a buttery, brown sugar crumble on top that’s amazing and completely delicious, but it’s made with oat flour = more good carbs! The cherries are what truly makes this rendition of apple crisp special. They set this apart from any other you’ve tried.
It’s been a few years since I made it, and it was well overdue. I pulled it together in time for football Sunday with my in-laws, and it was a big hit. Sure, there were 4 strapping Italian men in my house and they probably would’ve eaten bark if I served it to them, but I’m inclined to believe it was the apple crisp.
Since I’d never made this for S.O. before until yesterday, I was curious to poll him for his feedback. I once again asked if he had any words to include. He said: “The cherries are a very nice surprise.” He gives me such good material, doesn’t he? I swear he’s more insightful than what you see here. I’m sure of it.
Apple and Tart Cherry Crisp
Ingredients
- 3 large Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 McIntosh apples peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 c. dried tart cherries
- 3/4 c. + 2 tbsp. packed brown sugar
- 3/4 c. + 1 tbsp. oat flour whole wheat flour, or all-purpose flour
- 1/2 c. apple cider or apple juice water is fine too in a pinch
- 6 tbsp. cold butter
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
Instructions
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In a large bowl, mix apples and cherries with 2 tbsp. brown sugar and 1 tbsp. flour.
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Transfer to a 2-qt. baking dish.
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Pour apple cider over apple mixture.
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Reusing the same large bowl, combine remaining brown sugar, flour, butter, and cinnamon until well-combined.
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Cut in cold butter with a knife until crumbly, and sprinkle evenly over apples.
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Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown on the top.
Unfortunately, the nature of apple crisp is that it doesn’t exactly photograph as delectably as it tastes. Don’t let that sway you. 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin N Spice says
October 20, 2014 at 11:36 amI love your thinking, Sarah! I totally call fruit desserts healthy, even if they aren’t. But that’s ok, the fruit cancels out the fat calories, right?! 🙂 I love that you combined apples and cherries into a tart! Such a creative idea and they seem to balance each other so well! I love the crumbly topping, too. So perfect for the fall!
Sarah says
October 20, 2014 at 11:45 amThanks, Gayle! I mean, it’s not healthy, I guess… haha, but it IS better than non-fruit desserts, right? Fruit in a dessert is always a good sweet tooth option! 🙂 Happy Monday to you!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
October 20, 2014 at 11:56 amHaha, I love that you added that it doesn’t photograph as good as it tastes, because I was just thinking the same thing a couple weeks ago as I took hundreds of photos of apple crisp and almost didn’t post it because I didn’t like any of them! I thought yours were pretty good though, I love that little white bowl, it’s so cute! And I love that you added dried cherries to this, they’re such a nice addition to so many things aren’t they?!
Sarah says
October 20, 2014 at 12:00 pmYes, I’m obsessed with dried cherries! I add them into so many things and they make everything taste much more delicious. I’ll pass on raisins any day.. tart cherries are where it’s at! I know, right? Apple crisp isn’t the prettiest of desserts to take pics of!! 🙂 I had to find the cutest dish on the planet to make this look a bit more presentable. Lol! Have a great day!!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
October 20, 2014 at 5:09 pmCannot remember the last time that I ate an apple crisp! Thanks for reminding me how delicious it is – definitely need to follow your recipe soon!
Sarah says
October 20, 2014 at 6:35 pmIt’d been a while for me too, actually! I busted this recipe out of the vault, but I’m so glad I made it again. It’s delicious! Thanks, Thalia! 🙂
Momma Baker says
October 21, 2014 at 12:53 amIt photographs better then u think I seriously can almost taste it! Yum!!!
Sarah says
October 21, 2014 at 7:59 amOh good! Haha! I’m glad to hear that! 🙂 Thanks so much for your kind comment!!
Kristina & Millie says
October 21, 2014 at 9:28 pmOhhh the addition of cherries would be so yummy added into this delish apple crisp! I am not going to wait for a football date to make this though 🙂
Sarah says
October 22, 2014 at 10:43 amYes, don’t wait for a special occasion or football Sunday to make it! Just do it! 🙂 The cherries really set it apart. I hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by!
Stephanie says
October 25, 2014 at 8:35 pmCan’t wait to try this! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
Bree says
October 26, 2014 at 6:06 pmApple crisp is one of my favorite things! Especially with ice cream. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
October 26, 2014 at 6:37 pmTotally!! I agree on the ice cream! I love that combo too! 🙂
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
October 27, 2014 at 8:15 pmThis looks delish. I love your presentation, so pretty. Thanks for sharing at #theWeekendSocial. You always bring such great recipes. Hope to see you again Thursday 9:00 PM EST. Pinned! 🙂
Sarah says
October 27, 2014 at 8:46 pmThank you! Definitely – I’ll see you at the party next week! Have a great evening! 🙂
Laura@Baking in Pyjamas says
November 3, 2014 at 2:46 pmGranny apples are my favourite apple to bake with, this pudding looks delicious, I’d love some with hot custard, yum! Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
Jamie says
January 7, 2019 at 12:02 amHave you ever tried it with fresh sour cherries?
Sarah says
January 7, 2019 at 9:35 amI haven’t! But I think that would be wonderful! If you were to use frozen, definitely ‘wring’ them out a bit first so they’re not going to drop in as much water. And even with fresh, you might want to reduce the apple juice to 1/3 or 1/4 cup since fresh cherries should have more liquid, I’d presume. Let me know if you try it!!