The scent of bubbling cherries and buttery oats always feels like the start of something sweetly simple. This flaky cherry crumb pie is what weekends taste like: juicy fruit, crisp edges, and a golden crumble that melts into every bite. It’s a pie for slow afternoons, laughter in the kitchen, and a scoop of ice cream that finishes everything just right.
Table of Contents
Why This Flaky Cherry Crumb Pie Works
The perfect balance of sweet cherries and warm spice
Sweet cherries meet a whisper of cinnamon and almond extract, creating a flavor that’s deep and fragrant without being heavy. Every forkful tastes fruity, toasty, and just sweet enough to keep you coming back for one more bite.
A no-fuss crumble topping that replaces a top crust
Instead of rolling out another crust, this pie gets a buttery oat crumble. The topping bakes into crisp clusters that soak up cherry juice, giving you that flaky crunch everyone loves.
Beginner-friendly, reliable results every time
No fancy steps here—just a single crust, a quick mix of cherries, and a crumbly topping. Even if this is your first homemade pie, you’ll get perfect texture and flavor with little fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Best Cherry Crumb Pie
Fresh or frozen sweet cherries and how to prep them
You’ll need one pound of cherries, either fresh and pitted or thawed from frozen. Always drain and pat dry to keep the filling thick, not watery.
Crumble topping essentials: oats, flour, ginger, butter, and sugar
Rolled oats bring the crunch, flour gives body, and cold butter creates that crumbly magic. A touch of crystallized ginger adds warmth and sparkle in each bite.
Flavor boosters: vanilla, almond extract, and cinnamon
Vanilla softens the tartness, almond extract enhances the cherries’ natural flavor, and cinnamon ties it all together into something cozy and fragrant.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Flaky Cherry Crumb Pie
Prep the oven, cherries, and pie crust
Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the rack in the lower third. Fit your crust into a 9-inch pie pan, then crimp the edges. If using frozen cherries, thaw and pat them dry.
Mix the cherry filling with sugar, thickener, and extracts
In a bowl, toss cherries with sugar, tapioca or cornstarch, vanilla, almond extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently until coated, then pour into the crust.
Make the oat crumble and assemble the pie
Combine oats, flour, cinnamon, sugar, crystallized ginger, and cold butter. Rub together with your fingers until it forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the cherry filling.
Bake until bubbling and golden, then cool fully for clean slices
Bake for 50–60 minutes until the top turns golden and the filling bubbles around the edges. If it browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil. Cool for at least 3 hours before slicing.
Tips for Perfect Texture and Flakiness
Preventing soggy bottoms and runny filling
Always bake on the lower rack so the crust crisps nicely. If your cherries are extra juicy, drain off the liquid before filling the pie shell.
How to keep the crumble from over-browning
Halfway through baking, check the color. If the top looks too dark, tent the pie lightly with foil to protect the crumble while the filling finishes cooking.
Why cooling time makes or breaks the final result
Cooling allows the filling to set. Slice too early and you’ll get a runny mess. Wait the full few hours—your patience will be rewarded with clean, glossy slices.
Easy Ingredient Substitutions
Tapioca vs cornstarch vs flour for thickening
Tapioca gives the clearest, glossiest finish. Cornstarch thickens faster and is easier to find. Flour works too, though it gives a cloudier look.
Using ground ginger in place of crystallized ginger
If you don’t have crystallized ginger, use 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger. It adds warmth without the chewy bits.
Swapping rolled oats for quick oats when needed
Quick oats can stand in, though the crumble will be finer and less chunky. Rolled oats give a heartier, more rustic texture.
What to Serve With Cherry Crumb Pie
Ice cream pairings and chilled toppings
Vanilla or almond ice cream melts perfectly over a warm slice. Whipped cream or a spoon of Greek yogurt also adds a cool contrast.
Hot beverages and contrasting flavors
Coffee, black tea, or a light roast espresso all balance the sweetness beautifully. For summer, a tall glass of cold brew does the trick.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Room temperature and refrigerator storage timelines
Keep the pie covered at room temperature for two days, or refrigerate for up to five days. It tastes great cold or gently reheated.
How to freeze and thaw for best texture
To freeze, wrap slices individually in plastic and store up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm in a 325°F oven for ten minutes.
Helpful Notes and Troubleshooting
When the filling looks too watery and how to fix it
If your cherry mixture releases too much juice before baking, drain it slightly and mix in an extra tablespoon of thickener. That’ll keep your pie firm.
How to adjust bake time for your oven
Every oven runs a little differently. Start checking at 45 minutes and look for bubbling edges and a crisp top. Adjust in five-minute increments as needed.
Estimated Nutrition
This flaky cherry crumb pie contains around 1200–1400 total calories, 10–15 grams of protein, 50–60 grams of fat, and 180–200 grams of carbohydrates. It’s sweet comfort food meant to be shared.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you make crumble topping for cherry pie?
Mix oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, crystallized ginger, and cold butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter until crumbly.
What is the best thickener for cherry pie filling?
Tapioca starch gives a glossy, stable texture. Cornstarch works well too and is easy to find.
How do you keep the bottom crust of a cherry pie from getting soggy?
Bake on the lower oven rack, preheat your pan if possible, and let the pie cool fully to set the filling.
What is Agent Dale Cooper’s favorite pie?
That’s easy cherry pie. He calls it “damn fine,” and this recipe would definitely make him smile.
More Such Recipes
- Strawberry Crinkle Cookies dessert recipe
- Mini Lemon Blueberry Cheesecakes dessert recipe
- Quick Gluten Free Brownies rich fudgy dessert
- Greek Yogurt No Bake Dessert
- Strawberry Crunch Cake nostalgic dessert
- Best Pumpkin Pie Greek Yogurt dessert
- Easy Cherry Pie Bars dessert

Conclusion
This flaky cherry crumb pie brings together the heart of home baking fruit that bubbles up with sweetness, oats that toast just right, and a buttery crust that holds it all. It’s as lovely for gatherings as it is for quiet nights in. For more baking ideas, visit me on Pinterest or Facebook.
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Flaky Cherry Crumb Pie | Amazing Homemade Dessert
- Total Time: 80–105 minutes
- Yield: 1 9-inch pie (8 servings) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Juicy cherries, a flaky crust, and buttery oat crumble make this flaky cherry crumb pie the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and cozy. A simple yet special dessert that always feels homemade and heartwarming.
Ingredients
1 lb sweet cherries, fresh or frozen and pitted
3/4 cup rolled oats (not quick oats)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 pinch salt
2 tbsp tapioca or tapioca starch (or substitute cornstarch or extra flour)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
3 tbsp cold unsalted butter
2 tbsp chopped crystallized ginger
1 9-inch pie crust, homemade or store-bought
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and position a rack in the lower third of the oven.
2. If using frozen cherries, thaw them completely and drain excess liquid; pat fresh cherries dry.
3. Combine cherries with sugar, tapioca or chosen thickener, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt until well coated.
4. Fit the pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan and crimp the edges.
5. Pour the cherry mixture evenly into the crust.
6. In a separate bowl, mix oats, flour, cinnamon, sugar, crystallized ginger, and cold butter. Work the butter in using fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
7. Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the cherry filling.
8. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden. If the topping browns too quickly, cover it loosely with foil.
9. Allow the pie to cool for several hours to help the filling set before slicing.
10. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed, optionally with ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Frozen cherries are convenient and usually pre-pitted; make sure to thaw and drain well.
If the filling seems too watery, drain excess liquid and mix thickener thoroughly.
Loosely cover with foil while baking if the top browns too fast.
Cool the pie for at least 3 hours to let the filling firm up for clean slices.
- Prep Time: 30–45 minutes
- Cook Time: 50–60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 150–175
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
