All small fleshy grape-sized fruits are called berries. This is a broad term that is frequently used. This delicacy is a mixed-berry dessert since we use fresh berries including strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries. The sand-like oatmeal topping appears crumbly but, once baked, settles to a delicate crisp layer. The berries underneath bake and turn into a jam-like consistency that you can easily spoon with the crisp toppings and ice cream. This crisp oatmeal topping differentiates a crisp from a crumble. As its name suggests, a crumble does not have a crisp layer on top. It is instead topped with a crumble-like dry mixture made of flour, butter, and brown sugar and is also known as a streusel topping. For an autumn crisp recipe, check out my Best Apple Crisp Recipe. The best part about these crisp recipes – is hardly 10 minutes of prep time. All you do next is mix and bake. Quite simple and easy for such a delicious dessert. For more recipes using berries, you may try – Cucumber Strawberry Salad, Fluffy Ricotta Pancakes With Strawberry Sauce, Fresh Strawberry Cake, BLUEBERRY BANANA GRANOLA BAR, and Blueberry Banana Muffin. There are a few ways to ensure you get a perfect crispy topping. Ensure enough butter is in the mix, and do not go short on butter. It is good to leave little bits of butter throughout the mixture. For a more crispy topping, ensure you bake it until golden brown, allowing the topping to bake and crisp. Corn starch – thickens the mixture and prevents the crisp from becoming runny. White sugar – balances the tartness of the berries with its sweetness. Vanilla extract – classic flavor reminiscent of desserts. Orange juice – the citrusy flavor of orange compliments the tartness of berries and the sweetness of sugar. You can substitute it with lemon juice.
For oatmeal topping
Rolled oats/oatmeal – quick cooking is ok for oats. Oats give the characteristic crunch, which is vital for a topping. Plain White flour/all-purpose flour – binds the rest of the ingredients and prevents the topping from crumbling. Brown sugar – It must be loosely packed and not clumped. Brown sugar adds a depth of flavor and that caramel taste. It has fewer molasses to retain moisture and hence helps the topping become dry and crisp and not get soft. Baking powder – makes the topping bake and rise. It acts as a catalyst for mallard reaction, giving a dark brown color and flavor. Cinnamon powder – gives a sweet and spicy taste to the crunchy topping. Pinch of salt – to bring out all the other flavors. Unsalted butter – allow it to come to room temperature before you add. Prepare oatmeal topping – Mix the ingredients for the topping in another bowl and add melted butter. Mix everything to make a crumble. Layer and bake – Sprinkle the oatmeal topping mixture over the berry filling. Bake for 45 minutes. When you see the bubbles around the corner and the top layer has turned golden brown, know this is done. Remove from the oven and let it come close to room temperature. Serve it with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top for that perfect summer berry dessert. From the freezer, remove and thaw it. Bake it in the oven for 10 minutes until you see bubbles again in the corner. This allows the top oatmeal layer to crisp up. You may instead heat it in the microwave but may not get the topping to crisp as you do in the oven.
