Homemade Cherry Cobbler
Oh, where do I even begin with this delicious Homemade Cherry Cobbler? There’s just something magical about biting into a warm, gooey dessert filled with juicy cherries, especially when it’s topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This cobbler is synonymous with summer for me, reminding me of the countless sundrenched afternoons spent at my grandma’s house when she would whip up this delight with cherries freshly picked from her backyard!
Whenever I make this recipe, I feel like I’m transporting my friends and family back to those cherished childhood memories. It’s become a tradition of sorts, and I can confidently say that it fits perfectly on any holiday table. So grab your cherry stash—fresh or frozen—and let’s dive into this sweet adventure!
What’s in Homemade Cherry Cobbler?
- 4 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted: The star of the show! I love using fresh cherries when they’re in season, but frozen works like a charm too, especially if you’re craving this treat in the off-season!
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided: We’ll use some to sweeten the cherries and the rest for the topping. Sweetness makes everything better!
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: This little splash adds a zesty tang to balance out the sweetness, enhancing those delicious cherry flavors.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Because everything’s nicer with a hint of vanilla, right? You can use pure vanilla extract for an even better flavor.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Helps to thicken the cherry filling a bit, giving that luscious texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to elevate all the flavors—we don’t want it to taste flat!
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: Essential for that classic cobbler topping we all love!
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Makes the topping light and fluffy—who wants a dense cobbler?
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the topping rise nicely, creating a delightful crumb texture.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted: This adds the right moistness and richness to our topping. Trust me; you can *never* have too much butter.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed: For a deeper sweetness and that gorgeous caramel taste!
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: It just wouldn’t be right without this warm, comforting spice.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Just a pinch for that extra flavor kick! This spice is like a secret ingredient that takes this cobbler to the next level.
- 3/4 cup rolled oats: Adds texture to the topping. Plus, it feels a bit like breakfast—you can totally justify having this any time of day!
- Vanilla ice cream for serving: A must! The creamy coldness paired with warm cobbler is pure bliss.
Is Homemade Cherry Cobbler Good for You?
Well, let’s be honest—everything in moderation, right? This cobbler brings a bunch of cherries, which are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory properties. They can help promote heart health and have even been linked to improved sleep quality! However, with all that sugar and butter, it’s definitely a treat—a delightful indulgence rather than a health food.
If you need a slightly lighter version, you can always reduce the sugar a bit or swap in a sugar substitute. Just remember, the beauty of desserts like these is enjoying it; after all, life is too short not to have that scoop of ice cream on top!
Ingredients List
- 4 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
How to Make Homemade Cherry Cobbler?
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cherries, 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cornstarch, and salt. Stir well and let those cherries macerate for about 10 minutes.
- Pour the cherry mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and oats together.
- Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The mixture will be crumbly—don’t worry; that’s perfect!
- Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the cherry filling in the baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the cherries bubble around the edges.
- Take it out of the oven and let it cool slightly before you dive in.
- Serve warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top. Heaven!
More Than Just a Cobbler
Feel free to get creative with this cobbler! Want to ramp up the flavor? Add a splash of almond extract to the cherry filling—delicious! Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, swap out some of the cherries for blueberries or peaches. Trust me on serving this warm; it’s magical! Plus, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container for a few days in the refrigerator. Just reheat it before serving to revive that comforting gooeyness!
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how yours turned out! Whether you’re using fresh cherries from the farmer’s market or a bag from your freezer, each bite will tell a story. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to make some delicious memories!