Cherry Sour Oatmeal Almond Crunch (Print View)

Warm baked oats, tangy cherries, & crunchy almond topping—ideal for a satisfying breakfast or brunch treat.

# Components:

→ Oatmeal Base

01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
05 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2 cups whole milk
09 - 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
10 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

→ Fruit Layer

11 - 2 cups pitted sour cherries, fresh or frozen, thawed and drained
12 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
13 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch

→ Almond Crunch Topping

14 - 3/4 cup sliced almonds
15 - 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
16 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, sea salt, and baking powder.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well incorporated.
04 - Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until all components are evenly moistened.
05 - In a small bowl, toss the pitted sour cherries with granulated sugar and cornstarch until they are uniformly coated.
06 - Spread half of the oat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Distribute the coated sour cherries over this layer. Top with the remaining oat mixture, ensuring even coverage.
07 - In a small bowl, combine the sliced almonds, cold butter cubes, and granulated sugar. Use your fingertips or a fork to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this almond crunch evenly over the assembled bake.
08 - Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the center appears set.
09 - Allow the oatmeal bake to cool in the dish for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm, optionally with a dollop of yogurt or a splash of milk.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour with simple ingredients
  • Perfect make ahead breakfast for busy mornings
  • Balanced sweet tart flavor that everyone enjoys
  • Customizable with seasonal fruits
02 -
  • High in fiber and protein making it a satisfying breakfast option
  • Can be prepared the night before and baked in the morning
  • Perfect for meal prep as it reheats beautifully
03 -
  • For the ultimate texture contrast reserve a few tablespoons of the almond topping and add it during the final 10 minutes of baking. This creates an extra crunchy layer that perfectly complements the soft oatmeal beneath. I learned through many test batches that balancing textures elevates this simple dish to something truly special.

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