Fresh Cherry Cobbler
Fresh Cherry Cobbler is a comforting dessert made with ripe cherries.The cherries bake into a sweet and juicy filling.A buttery topping becomes golden and tender in the oven.Vanilla enhances the natural flavor of the cherries.The rustic presentation makes it perfect for gatherings.Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat.
Ingredients
For the Cherry Filling
- 6 cups fresh cherries, pitted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
For the Cobbler Topping
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Finishing
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar, optional
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
- Fresh cherries, optional garnish
Instructions
- Wash the cherries thoroughly and remove the stems and pits. Cut larger cherries in half while leaving smaller ones whole if desired.
- Add the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, almond extract, cinnamon, and salt to a large bowl. Stir gently until the cherries are evenly coated.
- Allow the mixture to sit for about 10 minutes. This gives the cherries time to release some of their natural juices.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 9-inch baking dish or similar-sized ovenproof dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the cold cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form.
- Pour in the milk and vanilla extract. Stir gently until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix—the topping should remain tender rather than dense.
- Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough over the cherries, leaving a few small spaces between portions. This allows steam to escape while the fruit bubbles around the topping.
- Place the cobbler in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40–45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Allow the cobbler to cool for approximately 10–15 minutes before serving. The filling will thicken slightly as it rests.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Use ripe cherries: Sweet, flavorful cherries produce the best cobbler.
- Pit the cherries carefully: A cherry pitter makes preparation much easier.
- Adjust the sugar: Very sweet cherries may require slightly less sugar.
- Don't skip the lemon juice: It brightens the flavor and balances sweetness.
- Keep the butter cold: Cold butter creates a more tender, flaky topping.
- Don't overmix: Overworking the dough can make the topping tough.
- Look for bubbling filling: The cherry juices should visibly bubble before removing the cobbler.
- Let it rest: A short cooling period helps the filling thicken.