This Sweet Cherry Cobbler is a delightful, fuss-free dessert bursting with juicy, tender cherries baked under a golden, crumbly topping. It’s the perfect way to celebrate fresh fruit or satisfy your sweet tooth with a comforting, homemade treat.
Key Ingredients for Sweet Cherry Cobbler:
- 2 pounds fresh, ripe sweet cherries, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for topping)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for topping)
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving
How to Make Sweet Cherry Cobbler:
This Sweet Cherry Cobbler recipe is incredibly easy to make, promising a delightful balance of sweet, tart cherries and a buttery, slightly crisp topping. The magic lies in its simplicity, delivering a rich texture and satisfyingly warm flavors without fuss. Perfect for any occasion, this dessert comes together in about 20 minutes of prep time, plus baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat and Prepare the Cherry Filling: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine the pitted and halved sweet cherries, 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss gently to ensure the cherries are evenly coated. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes while you prepare the cobbler topping. This allows the juices to begin releasing and the cornstarch to start dissolving, which will create a beautifully thickened filling.
- Prepare the Cobbler Topping: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, light brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. If you’re using them, whisk in the cinnamon and nutmeg for an extra layer of warmth and spice.
- Cut in the Cold Butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender, two forks, or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. These butter pieces are crucial for creating that delicious, slightly flaky texture in the topping.
- Add the Milk: Pour in the milk and stir with a fork until the ingredients just come together to form a thick, shaggy dough. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough topping. The dough will still be a bit sticky and crumbly, which is perfectly fine.
- Assemble the Cobbler: Pour the cherry filling into a lightly greased 9-inch pie plate, an 8×8 inch baking dish, or a similar oven-safe dish. Evenly scatter the cobbler topping over the cherry mixture. You can gently spread it with a spoon or simply drop spoonfuls of the dough over the cherries, leaving some gaps for the bubbly filling to peek through.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the cobbler on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips) and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crisp, and the cherry filling is bubbly and thickened. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of your baking dish.
- Rest and Serve: Once baked, carefully remove the Sweet Cherry Cobbler from the oven. Let it cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the filling to set further and prevents you from burning your mouth on molten cherries! Serve warm, with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Cherry Cobbler:
You’ll adore this Sweet Cherry Cobbler for its incredibly vibrant, jewel-toned cherry filling that bursts with sweet-tart flavor beneath a wonderfully rustic, buttery topping. Making this dessert at home is not only highly cost-effective, especially when cherries are in season, but it also offers a deeply satisfying, homemade taste unmatched by store-bought alternatives. The comforting combination of warm, baked fruit and a tender crust, especially when crowned with melting vanilla ice cream, makes every spoonful an absolute delight.
Unlike a pie, which requires more delicate pastry work, this cobbler is wonderfully forgiving and incredibly simple to whip up, making it an ideal dessert for novice bakers or busy weeknights. It’s a testament to how straightforward ingredients can create something truly magical and comforting. So, gather your cherries and your pantry staples, and try this incredible Sweet Cherry Cobbler for your next gathering or simply as a sweet treat to brighten your day!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
- Refrigeration: Allow the Sweet Cherry Cobbler to cool completely. Store any leftovers in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat individual portions, place them in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals until warmed through. For a crispier topping, reheat in a toaster oven or a conventional oven preheated to 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the topping has regained some crispness.
- Freezing: For longer storage, cool the cobbler completely. You can freeze the entire cobbler or individual portions in freezer-safe containers or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Frozen cobbler can be stored for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts:
This Sweet Cherry Cobbler is a true testament to the beauty of simple, seasonal ingredients coming together to create pure dessert joy. I wholeheartedly encourage you to try this delightfully easy and incredibly delicious recipe at home; it’s sure to become a cherished favorite!
Sweet Cherry Cobbler
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine the pitted and halved sweet cherries, 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss gently to ensure the cherries are evenly coated. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes while you prepare the cobbler topping. This allows the juices to begin releasing and the cornstarch to start dissolving, which will create a beautifully thickened filling.2 pounds fresh, ripe sweet cherries, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, light brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. If you’re using them, whisk in the cinnamon and nutmeg for an extra layer of warmth and spice.1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender, two forks, or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. These butter pieces are crucial for creating that delicious, slightly flaky texture in the topping.1/2 cup unsalted butter
- Pour in the milk and stir with a fork until the ingredients just come together to form a thick, shaggy dough. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough topping. The dough will still be a bit sticky and crumbly, which is perfectly fine.1/4 cup milk
- Pour the cherry filling into a lightly greased 9-inch pie plate, an 8×8 inch baking dish, or a similar oven-safe dish. Evenly scatter the cobbler topping over the cherry mixture. You can gently spread it with a spoon or simply drop spoonfuls of the dough over the cherries, leaving some gaps for the bubbly filling to peek through.
- Place the cobbler on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips) and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crisp, and the cherry filling is bubbly and thickened. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of your baking dish.
- Once baked, carefully remove the Sweet Cherry Cobbler from the oven. Let it cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the filling to set further and prevents you from burning your mouth on molten cherries! Serve warm, with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream.vanilla ice cream, whipped cream