Barley Free Cherry Crumble with Coconut & Cassava Topping
Bubbling cherry filling peeking through a golden, crackly topping is one of those desserts that makes everyone lean in for a closer look. The filling leans on arrowroot starch and a splash of fresh lemon juice to thicken those sweet-tart cherries into something jammy and glossy, while Ceylon cinnamon adds a warm, floral note that feels a little more refined than the usual spice-rack grab. The crumble itself is built entirely on cassava flour and tapioca starch, so there is no wheat, oat, or grain-based thickener anywhere in the dish — a real relief when you are navigating labels and trying to avoid barley or its derivatives hiding in conventional crumble recipes. Shredded coconut and solid coconut oil work together to create those satisfying, irregular clumps that toast up beautifully in the oven, giving you real crunch without any of the usual grain-based binders. Maple syrup does double duty in both layers, tying the whole dessert together with a gentle, caramel-like sweetness that never feels heavy. Let it rest for those ten minutes after baking — the filling tightens up just enough to scoop cleanly into bowls. Serve it warm and watch it disappear.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the cherry filling
- 5 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries (about 2 lb), thawed if frozen
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
For the crumble topping
- ¾ cup cassava flour
- ¼ cup tapioca starch
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut oil, solid
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish with a small amount of coconut oil.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cherries, 3 tbsp maple syrup, arrowroot starch, lemon juice, and Ceylon cinnamon. Toss until the cherries are evenly coated and the starch is fully dissolved with no dry pockets visible. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
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