Easy Peasy Berry Crisp

We are fans of berries...blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. When I used to live in north San Diego County, we lived next to a strawberry patch and had access to fresh strawberries year round, yum. My recipe below can be made with fresh or frozen berries. I've made it with both but somehow, I like the version with frozen berries better. Although fresh food is best, sometimes frozen foods provide certain conveniences: the price is the same year round, they have a longer shelf life, and foods are prepared and ready for cooking or consumption.

Quick facts about frozen foods
Freezing food inactivates bacteria and parasite and does not kill them. 
Nutrients are not diminished in the freezing process.
A lot of type of foods (meats, vegetables, fruits) can be frozen, but some just don't freeze well.
Foods are frozen within hours of harvest thereby preserving nutrients.
Color change can occur with frozen foods.
Freezer burn does not harm foods.


EASY PEASY BERRY CRISP
Ingredients
Fresh or frozen assorted berries
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granola (or oat)
1 stick butter 
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Mix all dry ingredients: flour, sugar, brown sugar, granola, cinnamon, and salt.

3. Cut butter into small cubes.
4. Incorporate the butter into the dry ingredients.

5. Pour berries into a pan.
6. Top berries with the topping.

7. Bake for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!


Notes
It is best to use cold butter for this recipe. Leave the butter in the refrigerator until you need to use it, otherwise, the topping will be more difficult to handle if the butter is softened. You can reduce sugar content by using only cane sugar or decreasing the measurement to 1/4 cup cane and brown sugar. I like the sweetness of this recipe since it counterbalances the tartness of the berries. Although it does well the day after, the topping is not as crunchy as if freshly made. You can use whatever flavor granola you like, I happen to have maple walnut at hand.


What are your favorite easy berry recipes? Do you prefer fresh or frozen when cooking with berries? Check out other awesome recipes at SoCal Lady Bloggers' 4th of July Potluck.

References
United States Department of Agriculture
Frozen Food Foundation


Disclaimer: I was not financially compensated for this post. The opinions expressed in this post are solely mine.