I developed and named this Good Night Cherry Crisp because it contains foods that help promote a good night’s sleep. With cherries in peak season right now, it’s the perfect dessert to make and enjoy outside on a summer evening. Enjoy the sunset, relax, and then venture inside for a restful night!
Tart cherries, walnuts, and oats are all good sources of naturally occurring melatonin, the hormone our bodies need for restful sleep. Oats and walnuts also contain tryptophan (which you may associate with a Thanksgiving turkey and the sleepy feeling after that big meal!). Tryptophan is an amino acid that our bodies convert to serotonin and then into melatonin, making it a sleep-supporting nutrient. Our bodies naturally produce more melatonin in the evenings to prepare us for sleep, but foods that contain melatonin can help boost natural levels to promote a restful night of sleep.
So, if you’re looking to relax and get a good night of sleep (especially with the extra light out thanks to summertime’s late sunsets!), make this Good Night Cherry Crisp, stretch, take some deep breaths, and get comfy for bed time. Good night, and sweet dreams!
Original publication date: June 24, 2021
Good Night Cherry Crisp contains foods that help promote a good night’s sleep. When cherries are in season, it’s the perfect dessert to make and enjoy outside on a summer evening.
For the topping:
3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
For the filling:
2 pounds tart cherries, pitted (about 6 cups, fresh or frozen)
2 Tbsp. brown sugar, packed
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish, and set aside.
2. Start by making the topping. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients for the topping, and stir to combine. Add in the softened butter, and stir the mixture until it resembles soft sand and no dry bits remain. Set aside.
3. Next, make the filling. In a large mixing bowl, toss the pitted cherries with brown sugar, flour, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir until cherries are coated with the other ingredients.
4. Pour the cherry filling mixture into the prepared 9x9 baking dish. Evenly scatter the topping mixture over the top of the filling.
5. Bake the cherry crisp at 375 degrees F for 45-50 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool. Serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream or lightly sweetened whipped cream.
I invite you to try my seasonally-inspired,
plant-based recipes to create your own
joyful plateful!
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