Joanna Gaines’ Cherry-Almond Crisp Recipe: A Sweet Review from the Magnolia Table Cookbook

Few things evoke warmth and comfort quite like a homemade dessert, and Joanna Gaines’ Cherry-Almond Crisp from her acclaimed Magnolia Table Cookbook is no exception. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a sensory journey that transports you back to simpler times, perhaps to a childhood kitchen filled with the aroma of baking fruit, or the cozy feeling of gathering around a campfire, eagerly anticipating a delicious treat emerging from a Dutch oven. It embodies the essence of comfort food, promising not just a delightful taste but also a comforting embrace for your soul. It’s a dish that manages to be both nostalgic and utterly delicious, creating new memories while honoring old ones.

What makes this Cherry-Almond Crisp truly special is its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The bright, sometimes tart, sweetness of the cherries beautifully complements the subtle richness of the crisp topping, while the almonds add a delightful nutty crunch. It’s a dish that’s both elegant enough for a casual dinner party and rustic enough for a cozy family meal. Beyond its incredible flavor, this recipe offers fantastic versatility. Imagine preparing this delectable crisp for your next camping trip – it’s an absolute game-changer! The beauty of this recipe lies in its prep-ahead potential: you can easily make the crisp topping ahead of time, season your cherries, and freeze them. Then, when you’re at the campsite, simply assemble and bake in a Dutch oven over the coals. It’s a wonderful way to impress your family and friends with a warm, homemade dessert even when you’re roughing it under the stars, elevating your outdoor dining experience significantly.

Unlocking Perfection: Essential Tips for Your Joanna Gaines Cherry-Almond Crisp

While Joanna Gaines’ recipes are renowned for their straightforward charm and delicious results, every home cook knows that a few insider tips can elevate a good dish to a truly unforgettable one. Through my own experience preparing this delightful Cherry-Almond Crisp, I’ve discovered a crucial insight, especially if you plan on using frozen fruit – a common practice that can sometimes alter the recipe’s intended outcome and requires a slight adjustment for optimal texture.

The Cornstarch Conundrum: A Key Adjustment for Frozen Cherries

My primary tip for this recipe revolves around the use of cherries, specifically whether they are fresh or frozen. On my first attempt, I opted for frozen cherries, which are often more convenient and readily available outside of peak season. While the crisp was undeniably delicious, I found that the specified amount of cornstarch in the recipe created a slightly gummier texture than I preferred. The fruit filling, while still flavorful, ended up a little too dense and less “saucy” than I envisioned. When it cooled, it resembled more of a thick, almost gelatinous paste, which I believe was directly attributable to the inherent characteristics of frozen cherries.

The science behind this is quite simple: frozen fruits tend to release significantly more moisture as they thaw and cook compared to their fresh counterparts. This extra liquid, when combined with the original cornstarch quantity designed for potentially less watery fresh cherries, can result in an overly thick, almost glue-like consistency. For a truly perfect crisp, with a beautifully vibrant and slightly fluid fruit filling that perfectly coats each cherry, I highly recommend reducing the amount of cornstarch if you’re using frozen cherries. A small adjustment – perhaps a tablespoon or even two less than the original recipe calls for – should create a more desirable, slightly wetter consistency that allows the natural juiciness of the cherries to shine through and blend seamlessly with the crisp topping.

Alternatively, if you’re set on using frozen cherries and prefer not to adjust the cornstarch too much, consider thawing them partially and draining off some of the excess liquid before mixing them with the other filling ingredients. This pre-treatment can effectively manage the moisture content and achieve a more balanced filling. Conversely, if you use exceptionally fresh, juicy cherries, particularly those in season, you might even find you need the full amount of cornstarch, or even a tiny bit more, to prevent the crisp from becoming too watery. It’s all about finding that perfect balance between the fruit’s natural moisture and the thickening agent.

Choosing Your Cherries: Fresh vs. Frozen Considerations

While frozen cherries offer convenience and year-round availability, fresh cherries, especially during their short seasonal window, provide an unparalleled burst of flavor and a slightly firmer texture that some connoisseurs prefer. If you have access to fresh cherries, I highly encourage you to use them. Pit them carefully – a cherry pitter makes this task incredibly easy and quick – and marvel at their vibrant color and sweet-tart aroma. However, don’t shy away from frozen if fresh isn’t an option. High-quality frozen cherries are a fantastic substitute, just remember the cornstarch adjustment for optimal results. Thawed and properly drained frozen cherries can still deliver a wonderfully satisfying flavor and contribute to a fantastic crisp, making this dessert accessible regardless of the season.

Crafting the Perfect Crisp Topping

The “crisp” in Cherry-Almond Crisp comes from its delightful oat-and-almond topping, which should be golden, crumbly, and wonderfully textured. For the best results, ensure your butter is very cold and cut into small pieces. This helps create pockets of steam during baking, leading to a truly crumbly and golden-brown topping rather than a flat, dense layer. Don’t overmix the topping; a coarse, crumbly texture is exactly what you’re aiming for. You want those distinct clusters of oats, flour, sugar, and butter, interspersed with crunchy slivered almonds, to create a captivating contrast with the warm, soft fruit filling below. For an extra layer of flavor and aroma, consider lightly toasting your slivered almonds in a dry pan for a few minutes before incorporating them into the topping mixture. This simple step enhances their nuttiness and adds another dimension to the overall profile of the crisp, making each bite even more enjoyable.

The Family Verdict: A New Dessert Staple is Born

The true test of any recipe, especially one destined for regular rotation in a busy household, lies in the reaction of those you share it with. And in my household, Joanna Gaines’ Cherry-Almond Crisp received an overwhelmingly enthusiastic stamp of approval! My family absolutely loved, LOVED this dessert. It’s safe to say it was an instant hit, quickly earning its place in our list of cherished family favorites and sparking immediate requests for repeat performances.

Bridging the Cherry Divide

This dessert holds a special significance for my family. My parents are devout cherry pie enthusiasts, a classic comfort food they adore and often request. I, on the other hand, have always been less inclined towards the traditional density and often overwhelming sweetness of cherry pie. This crisp, however, proved to be the perfect bridge between our preferences. It offered the beloved, sweet-tart cherry flavor that my parents crave, but in a lighter, less dense, and wonderfully textured format that appealed greatly to me. The delightful contrast between the warm, gooey fruit filling and the crunchy, buttery topping was simply irresistible, creating a delightful compromise that everyone could genuinely appreciate. It’s a versatile dish that offers the best of both worlds – the rich fruitiness of a pie with the satisfying texture and ease of a crisp, making it a truly harmonious family dessert.

An Instant Family Favorite

The request for “more” came almost immediately after the first serving, a sure sign of a recipe’s resounding success. This Cherry-Almond Crisp is undoubtedly destined to become a regular fixture on our family dinner night menu. There’s something inherently comforting and celebratory about a warm fruit crisp, and this recipe delivers on all fronts. It’s easy enough to whip up for a weeknight treat, yet impressive enough to serve guests at a special gathering. The delightful aroma that fills the kitchen as it bakes is an added bonus, setting the stage for a wonderful dessert experience even before the first bite. It truly brings everyone together around the table, creating cherished memories with every spoonful.

Beyond the Kitchen: Camping Adventures and Weeknight Delights with This Crisp

Whether you envision this Cherry-Almond Crisp as the crowning glory of a memorable camping trip, baked to perfection in a trusty Dutch oven under the open sky, or as a comforting weeknight dessert to gather your family around the table, its universal appeal is undeniable. Its adaptability makes it a truly remarkable recipe to have in your culinary repertoire, ready to deliver deliciousness no matter the setting. The joy of a warm, homemade dessert, especially one so delicious and versatile, is a simple pleasure that truly enriches any occasion, turning an ordinary moment into something special.

Imagine the delight of serving this crisp while surrounded by nature. The pre-prepped components make it a surprisingly easy yet incredibly rewarding camp dessert. Just imagine the tantalizing smell of warm cherries and toasted almonds mingling with the rustic scent of pine and campfire smoke. It’s an experience that creates lasting memories, combining the rustic charm of outdoor cooking with the sweet indulgence of a home-baked treat. A warm crisp on a cool evening under the stars is truly an unforgettable moment.

Even for those cozy evenings at home, this crisp is a standout. It’s hearty enough to be satisfying on its own, but truly shines when paired with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the cold, smooth sweetness to contrast beautifully with the warm, fruit-filled goodness. A dollop of freshly whipped cream also makes for an elegant and delicious accompaniment, adding a touch of lightness to each spoonful and enhancing the overall dessert experience. Consider a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of almond extract in the filling to further customize the flavor profile to your liking.

No matter how you choose to enjoy it, I sincerely hope that this Joanna Gaines Cherry-Almond Crisp brings as much warmth, joy, and deliciousness to your table as it has to mine and my family’s. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create moments, share smiles, and indulge in the simple, profound pleasures of good food. This recipe is a testament to the power of a well-crafted dessert to bring people together and make any meal feel like a special occasion.

Until next time, happy cooking!

Kendell

For those who watched Joanna Gaines prepare this delightful recipe on Season 1, Episode 1 of her captivating cooking show, ‘Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines‘, you’re in luck! She generously shared the official recipe on her blog, making it accessible for everyone to recreate this magic in their own kitchens. You can access the full recipe directly by CLICKING HERE and embark on your own cherry-almond crisp baking adventure today! Don’t miss out on creating this family-favorite dessert.

Explore More Magnolia Table Delights: My Episode 2 Reviews

If you enjoyed this deep dive into Joanna Gaines’ Cherry-Almond Crisp, you might be interested in my other recipe reviews from her show. I’m always eager to explore more of the comforting and delicious dishes featured on ‘Magnolia Table’ and share my honest experiences. Check out my thoughts and culinary adventures with other recipes from Episode 2, and perhaps find your next favorite dish!

• Green Beans Amandine Review: Not Your Average Side Dish
• Mashed Potatoes: A Simple Side Done Right (featured alongside her incredible Chicken Pot Pie)
• Friendsgiving Casserole (Coming Soon – stay tuned for this hearty holiday favorite that’s perfect for gatherings!)
• Cranberry Sauce (Coming Soon – an essential for your festive spreads, reimagined!)

Be sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates as more reviews are published! I love sharing my culinary journeys and hope they inspire you in your own kitchen to try new recipes and discover new flavors.

Did you try making this incredible Cherry-Almond Crisp using Joanna Gaines’ recipe? I would absolutely love to hear about your experience and how it turned out in your kitchen! Please share your thoughts by leaving a review or comment below. Your feedback helps fellow home cooks and enriches our vibrant community. And to stay updated on all my latest recipes, reviews, and culinary adventures, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. You can also follow along on social media for daily inspiration, cooking tips, and behind-the-scenes glimpses: find me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook! Let’s keep cooking and creating delicious memories together!