Cherry pie filling, oatmeal crisp, and a glaze turns this Cherry Crisp Coffee Cake into the perfect treat to start your mornings with.
How many of you shop the clearance racks at the end of the season? It is usually the first place I check when I'm out clothes shopping. Any time I can find something cute for a fraction of the price, it's a good day.
I have always loved the thrill of trying to find clothes that fit from the clearance racks. Some days it is slim picking and other days I score big. It just depends on how many other bargain shoppers have hit the rack before me.
The other day I stopped at the store for some butter to make cake. Of course a few other things "jumped" into my cart, and the 5 minute stop quickly became an hour. Something tells me I should have just stayed with my original plan of buying butter and going home...
I had every intention of just getting in and out, but then I walked past the clearance racks. Our local Meijer is doing some remodeling, so everything on those racks was an addition 25% off. That got my attention right away.
The one rack had swim suits, and since I have a fun beach trip later this year, I stopped to see what they had. 6 bottoms later I decided to head to the fitting room. They had put in a new changing area, but no attendant was in sight. Since one of the doors was open, I decided to slip in fast and try the suits on.
I don't think the doors were installed correctly because as I pulled the door closed, it went past the door jam...trapping me in! Seriously!! The door would not open in EITHER direction!!! I was completely stuck in the little room without help.
My first thought was to call my hubby at home and have him call the store to come let me out. But then I realized he wouldn't be much help because he would be on the floor laughing hysterically. This was up to me to figure out a solution. As I pulled on the door backwards, I realized that I could just barely squeeze my buns and stomach in just enough to slip out the crack. I thought the door might crack and break because I was pulling on it so hard, but at that point I didn't care. This was survival of the fittest, people. I did bravely go into the next fitting room and very gingerly closed that door. No way did I want a repeat of that fiasco. That hot pink suit better be totally worth all the work that went into getting it.
See, I knew I should have just stuck to buying the butter I went in for. I learned that lesson...who am I kidding? The next "5 minute" butter run is still going to turn into a "shop for all the things" trip.
And what did all that butter and trauma end up with? Well, cake of course. Traumatic experiences always need cake to make you feel better, right?
The easy base for this cake is the same one I used for this Strawberry Lemon Snack Cake. Changing up the pie filling and adding a crumble topping is a great way to redo an old favorite. Actually, adding crumble is starting to become a reoccurring theme to breakfast cakes around here. I just realized the Banana Split Coffee Cake from this summer also has a crunchy, crisp topping.
Apparently that's my new "thing". That and getting stuck in fitting rooms...
Recipe

Cherry Crisp Coffee Cake
This buttery coffee cake is topped with cherry pie filling, oat crumble, and sugar glaze. It is a delicious cake to serve at breakfast and brunch at any event you may have.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 3 cups flour
- 1 - 21 ounce can cherry pie filling
For the Topping
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup quick oats
- â…“ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 15x10 baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Spray with nonstick baking spray.
- Beat together the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the eggs and beat again.
- Stir together the salt, baking powder, and flour. Slowly add to the butter mixture until completely mixed in.
- Spread the dough in the pan even with a spatula. Top the dough with the pie filling.
- Mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, and melted butter. Sprinkle over the pie filling. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool.
- Mix together the powdered sugar and water. Drizzle over the cooled cake. Cut into 36 squares.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 36 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 183Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 145mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 2g
More coffee cake recipes to get your morning started off right:
Debbie
I would love to make this for a friend who loves all things cherry however i dont think she will eat a full pan by herself. Any suggestions on how i can half this or third even to make a smaller pan for just her?? I love your site, everything looks sooooo delicious!
Jocelyn
You could just cut everything in half and bake it in an 8x8 pan. Baking time should still be around 25-30 minutes. I hope your friend enjoys the cake.
Nancy
Question - 15x10 is a jelly roll pan. The picture makes it look much thicker than that. Does it really go in s jelly roll pan?
Jocelyn
I used a baking sheet that was 15x10...not a jelly roll pan. But if that's what size your jelly roll pan it, it will work. Just make sure to line it with foil.
Cindy
I just made this cherry crisp coffee cake and took a little taste off the corner, (tried to save for brunch tomorrow !) It was SOOOOO Delicious, I kept cutting little pieces off. I hope there will be some left for brunch. Thanks for the fabulous recipe. Next I am going to try the blueberry cream coffee cake.
Jocelyn
Woo hoo! I am so glad to hear that you loved the cake. Hopefully you were able to resist the rest and save it for your brunch 😉
Wendy
On one hand, how scary/embarrassing to be stuck in the dressing room. On the other hand, all of your hard work at exercise has certainly paid off. You were able to fit out through the crack in the door! 🙂 The benefits of exercise! I will have to be sure I have people to share these bars with when I bake them...I want to be able to squeeze out of the dressing room too, should I ever get stuck!
Jocelyn
As long as working out keeps me skinny enough to escape dressing rooms, I guess I'll keep going!
Kait @ Our Foodie Appetite
HAHA! Reminds me of a funny story that someone told me once. She was a worker at a tanning salon and she told me about a couple that came in to tan together. Well, the beds are automatic, so the tops come down automatically once you push the "start" button. Apparently, the boyfriend wasn't aware of this, so when he pushed the start button, he started screaming "I'm trapped!! LET ME OUT!" and many more profanities hahaha I will never forget that story! It sounds like you had a terrifying experience too, but at least you weren't caught in a bed that was literally baking your flesh 😉 lol
Jocelyn
Oh, my goodness that is hilarious! Although I always worry when I go tanning that something will happen like that!!!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
Love the glaze on this coffee cake and you cannot go wrong with cherry 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
Yikes, so glad you didn't need to call your husband to get out after all 🙂 I can never seem to just grab one thing whenever I go for a grocery store run either. Love these coffee cake bars! I wish I had a few for breakfast!
Jocelyn
Yeah, it wouldn't have done any good to call him...he would just laugh and hang up on me. Better to think it through on my own 😉 I have tried to go in for one thing, but I just can't seem to do it!!!
Michele @ Alwayzbakin
Oh my gosh, how awful! 😮 I do have to admit it's a little funny though. Brave of you to share with all of us. 😉 Thanks for this recipe. Crispy and crunchy toppings are THE best.
Jocelyn
It's totally funny looking back at it...of course at the time I was slightly freaking out. LOL!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu
Oh talk about delicious! This cake looks so lovely, I love a good cherry treat! 🙂
Krystle
I heart the clearance racks <3
These look so heavenly, especially that oat crumble!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
Coffee cake is the best way to start the day!
Jocelyn
You won't find me arguing with you there!!!
Elle @ Only Taste Matters
Ooh the cherry just makes it! I'm glad crumbly topping is your thing now, it makes everything better.
Jocelyn
I have to agree with you there!!!! So much better with crumbles!!!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert
I've been in such a cherry mood lately. This coffee cake is the perfect fix!
Jocelyn
It would definitely be the perfect dessert for you then 🙂
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
Adding crumble topping is always a good thing! I wish I had a slice to go with my coffee!
Jocelyn
Lately I have been obsessed with crumble toppings...it just makes things so much better!!!
Marye
Oh my gosh, my husband would have been rolling. Much better to figure out a solution for yourself!
Jocelyn
That's kind of what I thought too!!!
Beth
Hahaha! I think might be terrified to go in the dressing rooms at our meijer now!!
Jocelyn
Just make sure you close the door very carefully!!! I know I will be from now on!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
Haha, great story. Way to make the best out of the situation 🙂
Jocelyn
Thanks 😉
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Oh man, my husband HATES it when things just "jump into my cart!" BUT, It's totally not my fault. It just happens 😉
This cake though. Anything with a crumbly topping has my HEART. Pinned!
Jocelyn
I get it...it's never our fault when things "jump" into the cart 🙂 And crumbly tops always get me too!!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
These bars look like the perfect treat to remind me that summer is in full swing, even if the kids in my area started school today! I love the cherry flavor and that crumbly topping, Jocelyn! Looks delicious!
Jocelyn
My kids are on their 4th week of school and I'm still not letting go of summer recipes. Although as soon as Sept hits, I'm going gang buster on apple and pumpkin, whether I feel like it or not!
Mir
Okay, that's kind of hilarious. I mean, not at the time. But it makes for a good story afterward. Sometimes I get trapped in the clothes I try on in the fitting room, and I have to wonder whether someone will have to come in all my humiliation and pull them off me. Luckily, I've managed to escape the clothes so far. 🙂
This looks incredibly good. That's what a trip to the store for butter will do. Make amazing cake!
Jocelyn
Oh, my goodness! Yes, I have had clothes trap me too! That totally sends me into a panic because who do you call?!?!?!