Cherry Nut Crisp

Name: Cherry Nut Crisp
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 9 servings.
Ingredients: 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) pitted tart cherries; 1 cup sugar; 1/4 cup quick-cooking tapioca; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 4 to 5 drops red food coloring, optional; CRUST:; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon baking powder; 6 tablespoons butter, melted; TOPPING:; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup chopped pecans; 1/3 cup quick-cooking oats; 6 tablespoons cold butter, cubed

Meet the Cook: I used my favorite cherry pie recipe to create this one after my fiance - who's now my husband - asked me to make a treat for his rugby team's meeting. Since I didn't have time to roll out a crust, I just used a simple crisp crust. -Melissa Radulovich, Byers, Colorado

Ingredients

2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) pitted tart cherries
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup quick-cooking tapioca
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 to 5 drops red food coloring, optional
CRUST:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
6 tablespoons butter, melted
TOPPING:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
6 tablespoons cold butter, cubed

Directions

Drain cherries, reserving 3/4 cup juice. In a large bowl, combine the cherries, sugar, tapioca, extract, salt, food coloring if desired and reserved juice; set aside for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a small bowl, combine the crust ingredients. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. square baking dish; set aside.
For topping, in another small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, pecans and oats Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir cherry mixture the; pour into crust. Sprinkle with topping.
Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 375°; bake 30-35 minutes longer or filling is bubbly and topping is golden brown.