Cherry Crisp a la Mode

Recipe by Deirdre Imus, The Imus Ranch: Cooking for Kids and Cowboys
Just as the name implies, a perfect cherry crisp is a delicious layer of sweet and bubbly fruit covered by a crisp, crumbly sweet topping. There's really no better way to serve such a dish except a la mode.


I recommend using all organic non GMO ingredients.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1        Pound cherries, stemmed and pitted
1        Cup trans fat free margarine
1 1/4  Cup raw unrefined sugar
1/4     Cup unbleached white flour
1/4     Cup whole wheat flour
1        Teaspoon almond extract
Nondairy ice cream or ice cream of your choice

Cooking time: 17 minutes

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the cherries, 1/2 cup of the margarine, and 3/4 cup of the sugar in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the cherries are soft and tender. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cherries to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
Sift together the flours, the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and the almond extract. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, work the remaining margarine into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Spread the flour mixture over the cherries and bake for 12 minutes. 
Serve with a scoop of ice cream.

Makes 8 servings

Reprinted with permission from the National Bestseller, The Imus Ranch:  Cooking for Kids and Cowboys by Deirdre Imus. Published by Rodale, Inc.