Amish Cherry Pecan Crumble - cooking recipe

Ingredients

CHERRY FILLING
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons minute tapioca
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg (or more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
6 cups pitted tart red cherries
red food coloring (optional)
TOPPING
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
salt
3/4 cup butter, cut into 1 \" slices
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350*.
In a large bowl, mix together the brown sugar, tapioca and nutmeg.
Add the almond extract, cherries and red food coloring, if using. and combine thoroughly.
Allow the mixture to stand for 10 minutes, then pour into a 9x13 greased baking dish. Make the topping; in a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt and butter with a pastry blender until it resembles coarse crumbs. (This can also be done in a food processor)
Mix in the chopped pecans and spoon the topping over the cherry mixture, spreading it out evenly.
Bake the crumble for 1 hour or until it is bubbling and the top is golden.
Serve slightly warm with heavy cream, whipped cream or ice cream if desired.