Cherry Apple Crisp

I was given a large amount of sweet black cherries from my Dad's tree and this set me off to my recipe books, looking for something to make...

I came across a recipe for Cherry Apple crisp and it was delicious!

Ingredients:

4 cups pitted fresh black cherries
2 cups diced peeled apples
1/3 cup sugar
3 Tb. flour
2 tsp. lemon juice

Topping:
1 cup flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup slivered almonds or chopped pecans (optional)

I had enough cherries to triple the recipe, making enough so I could freeze some for later. I baked the crisp, let it cool and then froze it to be warmed and eaten later. I used to have a fairly narrow view of what could be frozen, but a few walks down the frozen food aisle at the grocery store broadened my view. Also, I read a cookbook dedicated to desserts that can be frozen and I am now a convert. Freezing things for later is also a great time management strategy.

Method:
1. Grease 8 inch (2L.) square glass baking dish (or aluminum if you are going to freeze the crisp); set aside.
2. In large bowl, toss together cherries, apples, sugar, and flour. Arrange evenly in prepared baking dish.
3. Topping: In separate bowl, whisk flour with brown sugar. Using fork, mash in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over fruit mixture.
4. Bake in centre of 350 degree F. oven until bubbly, topping is golden and fruit is translucent and tender, about 1 hour. Serve warm. (Make ahead: Let cool. Set aside for up to 8 hours. Reheat to serve. Freeze or refrigerate if you are going to serve later).
Recipe from Canadian Living
Cook's Notes: Get your children involved in cooking with you. Give them tasks that they can do depending on their ages and abilities. You will benefit and you will be helping them to learn how to cook, something that a lot of people don't know how to do. For this recipe, I had my 11 year old daughter in charge of washing and pitting the cherries and it helped to have a cherry stoner. Later she measured all of the dry ingredients and as I was tripling the recipe, this involved math.