Summer Berry Crisp

Summer Berry Crisp Recipe

Last week I got invited to an event put on by the Washington State Beef Commission to assist the fabulous Misty Banchero (aka Seattle Butcher's Wife) and make some side dishes for a group of lovely ladies who wanted to learn more about grilling. You can read all about my adventures here.

Most of the recipes I made and served already live right on the site, but this one. This one is new, and it was definitely my favorite.

(Curious about what else I made? Check out my Perfect Grilled Asparagus, Caesar Vinaigrette Dressing, and these Garlic Gruyere Potatoes!)

This dessert is perfect for cookouts, potlucks, family dinners, or anyone who loves a warm fruit dessert with a crunchy oat topping.

It uses blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, so every scoop gives you a mix of sweet, tart, and juicy berries.

The filling is cooked first to thicken the berries before baking, so the crisp doesn't turn watery. This recipe makes 16 generous servings in a high-sided 10x13-inch pan and doesn't need pie dough, frosting, decorating, or careful slicing.

Adding apple cores and peels, along with lemon peel, pulp, and seeds tied in cheesecloth, is a smart way to add natural pectin. This helps the berry syrup thicken without changing the crisp's flavor.

Why You'll Love This Dish

• Feeds A Crowd: This recipe makes 16 servings, which makes it perfect for parties, barbecues, and big family meals.
• Four-Berry Flavor: Blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries give the filling a balanced mix of sweet and tart.
• Crunchy Oat Topping: Oats, brown sugar, flour, and butter bake into a crumbly topping with great texture.
• Great With Ice Cream: The warm berry filling and cold vanilla ice cream are a classic pairing for good reason.
• No Pie Crust Needed: You get all the comfort of a fruit dessert without rolling dough or crimping edges.
• Works In The Oven Or Pellet Grill: Bake it at 350°F in either setup, which makes it a nice dessert option during grilling season.

Try my Blackberry Margaritas!

Recipe Shopping List

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here's the list of items you'll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Mixed Berries - Blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries create a sweet-tart filling with different textures in each bite. Fresh berries are great in season, and frozen berries work well when drained lightly or cooked a bit longer.
• Granulated Sugar - Sweetens the berries and helps draw out their juices. It balances tart raspberries and blackberries without covering up the fruit flavor.
• Cornstarch - Thickens the berry juices into a glossy filling. Mixing it with the sugar first helps prevent clumps.
• Fresh Lemon Juice - Adds brightness and keeps the berry flavor from tasting flat. Bottled lemon juice works in a pinch, but fresh tastes cleaner.
• Apple Cores And Peels - Used in cheesecloth to add natural pectin to the cooked berries. This helps the filling set without adding apple chunks.
• Lemon Peel, Pulp, And Seeds - Tied with the apple scraps to support thickening and add light citrus flavor during cooking.
• Oatmeal - Gives the topping its hearty texture. Old-fashioned oats are best for a chewy, crisp finish.
• All-Purpose Flour - Helps bind the topping so it bakes into crumbly clusters instead of loose oats.
• Cold Butter - Creates rich flavor and crumbly texture. Keep it cold and cut it into chunks so the topping bakes up with crisp edges.
• Brown Sugar - Sweetens the crumble topping and adds a light caramel note. Light or dark brown sugar both work.

Make my Triple Berry Trifle!

How To Make This Recipe

This is just the overview so you can see what you're actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you'll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Prep The Pan And Oven - Preheat the oven or pellet grill to 350°F. Spray a 10x13-inch high-sided baking pan well with baking spray.
2. Start The Berry Filling - Mix the sugar and cornstarch together, then toss half the berries with that mixture. Tie the apple scraps and lemon scraps in cheesecloth and add them to the pot.
3. Cook Until Thickened - Heat the berry mixture over low to medium-low heat, stirring gently and often, until the berries are bubbling lightly and the juices have thickened into a syrupy sauce.
4. Make The Crumble Topping - Mix the oats, flour, cold butter chunks, and brown sugar until the butter is in pea-sized pieces and the mixture looks crumbly.
5. Assemble And Bake - Cool the cooked berries for 10 to 15 minutes, remove the cheesecloth packet, then stir in the reserved fresh berries and lemon juice. Pour into the pan, add the oat topping, and bake for about 1 hour, until bubbly, thickened, and lightly browned.

Have some Strawberry Rhubarb Jam!

Recipe FAQ

Triple Berry Glazed Muffin Recipe

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