Stovetop Berry Crisp

Updated Feb. 19, 2025

Stovetop Berry Crisp
Kelly Marshall for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne.
Total Time
25 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Rating
5(148)
Comments
Read comments

You don’t need to wait for summer’s ripest fruit to enjoy a fruit crisp. This quick, small-batch version delivers jammy fruit beneath a crispy topping any night of the week, no matter the season. Start by making the topping in the microwave, then as it crisps, simmer the berries on the stovetop. Once they resemble a compote, add more berries for pops of freshness. You can use a mix of berries or just blueberries, and they can be fresh or frozen — no need to thaw the frozen ones first. Because the topping is already cooked when it’s scattered on the fruit, it won’t get soggy, delivering a brown-sugary crunch in every bite.

Featured in: It’s Little Treat O’Clock

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone
    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.
    Subscribe
  • Print Options


Advertisement


Ingredients

Yield:1 to 2 servings

    For the Topping

    • ¼cup/30 grams all-purpose flour
    • 3tablespoons old-fashioned oats or finely chopped toasted nuts
    • 2tablespoons brown sugar, preferably dark
    • Salt
    • 3tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

    For the Fruit

    • 2cups fresh or frozen mixed blueberries, raspberries and blackberries (or just blueberries; no need to thaw)
    • 1tablespoon brown sugar, preferably dark, plus more as needed
    • 1teaspoon lemon or lime juice, or white distilled vinegar
    • Salt
    • Heavy cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (2 servings)

402 calories; 24 grams fat; 14 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 7 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 45 grams carbohydrates; 9 grams dietary fiber; 19 grams sugars; 5 grams protein; 460 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by
Cooking Newsletter illustration

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Make the topping: In a microwave-safe shallow bowl or plate, use your hands to stir together the flour, oats, sugar and a pinch of salt until combined. Add the butter and use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour mixture until all the flour is absorbed and the mixture holds together in clumps when squeezed. Break the mixture up into small clumps. Microwave, stirring gently every 30 seconds, until dry and a shade darker, 2 to 3 minutes. Don’t worry if the mixture seems loose; it will form small clumps after stirring. Set aside to cool and crisp.

  2. Step 2

    Cook the fruit: While the topping cools, in a small or medium skillet over medium heat, stir together 1½ cups berries, the brown sugar, 2 tablespoons water, lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring and mashing often, until thick and jammy, 4 to 7 minutes. Add the remaining berries and stir until the berries are warm, 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and add more sugar if necessary.

  3. Step 3

    Sprinkle the fruit with the topping. Eat portions with a pour of cream or scoop of ice cream, if desired.

Ratings

5 out of 5
148 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Comments

I've been making a crisp this way (except baking ahead a batch of topping in a toaster oven for multiple uses) for years and it's great. The fruit retains a bright snappy character and the topping, as noted by the author, remains crisp.

We were invited to a snowy evening dinner party, I had agreed to bring a gluten-free dessert... and then the neighborhood lost electricity. I knew that the hosts had a wood-burning fireplace, so I dusted off my Girl Scout skills and my cast iron skillet and brought one of these. The guests from down the hill brought vanilla ice cream. So good!

Hi, for the topping, microwaving should be at what power, and for how long? Look forward to trying this out later as an early Valentine's dessert.

What about doubling this recipe? I have a lot of fresh raspberries to use! Also, can you mix frozen berries with the fresh berries? How would they be cooked differently.

Has anyone tried this with peaches? Sounds delicious, gotta try.

Simple and fantastic. Doubled the recipe for our bigger cast iron skillet.

Private comments are only visible to you.

Advertisement

or to save this recipe.