How to Make Cherry Cobbler: Cherry Cobbler Recipe
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Aug 3, 2024 • 3 min read
Cherry cobbler is an easy dessert that pairs tart cherries with sweet, dense, and crunchy biscuit dough. Read on to learn an easy cherry cobbler recipe that can be prepped in minutes.
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What Is a Cherry Cobbler?
Cherry cobbler is a rustic dessert made with macerated cherries and a semi-sweet biscuit dough. This flexible dessert is named for the cobblestone-like appearance the cobbler topping takes on once baked to a golden brown. Other popular variations of cobbler include peach cobbler, blueberry cobbler, rhubarb cobbler, and cranberry cobbler.
What Is the Difference Between a Cherry Cobbler and a Cherry Pie?
Although both of these cherry dessert recipes share similar ingredients, the differences between pie and cobbler come down to technique and composition. Pie traditionally consists of a fruit filling encased in dough, often with both a base crust and top layer of dough. In a cobbler, the dough is dropped over the fruit filling base. Cobbler is a more rustic dessert that requires little baking experience or finesse to pull off. Pie, on the other hand, requires skill and technique to master the right texture of the crust.
4 Tips for Making Cherry Cobbler
Though cherry cobbler is an easy recipe that is perfect for beginner bakers to master, there are a few tips you can follow to make sure your creation turns out well.
- 1. Fresh fruit is best. The star of any cobbler is the fruit base, and the best possible flavor comes from ripe, in-season cherries. Cherry pie filling should never be used for a cobbler because it will result in a soggy dish. If fresh fruit isn’t available, an equal portion of frozen cherries can be substituted, with no thawing necessary.
- 2. Adjust the sugar. The tartness of cherries can vary, and the amount of sugar should be adjusted to the sweetness of the type of cherry you’re using. While sweet cherries like Bing cherries require less sugar, sour cherries will benefit from additional sweetness. Depending on the tartness of the cherries being used, include anywhere from a ¼ to a ½ cup of sugar.
- 3. Make individual portions. This cobbler recipe can be split into individual portions for easy distribution. Divide the fruit and crust into individual ramekins prior to baking.
- 4. Use a food thermometer. To ensure the cobbler is fully cooked, insert a food thermometer through the thickest part of the dough once it appears golden brown. The internal temperature will reach 200 degrees Fahrenheit when done.
Cherry Cobbler Recipe
makes
prep time
10 mintotal time
55 mincook time
45 minIngredients
For the filling:
For the topping:
- 1
Preheat the oven to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2
Remove the stems and pits from all of the cherries using a cherry pitter or your hands.
- 3
Add the pitted cherries, sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and vanilla extract to a medium bowl. Stir the cherry mixture to combine, and set it aside. This is your fruit filling mixture.
- 4
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using your hands, work the cubed butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles the texture of breadcrumbs. This will become your cobbler topping.
- 5
In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the egg, vanilla, and ½ cup of the buttermilk.
- 6
Add the buttermilk to the flour mixture and stir together using a rubber spatula or your hands until all of the ingredients are combined.
- 7
Spread the cherry mixture out in a single layer in a large baking dish.
- 8
Using your hands, tear off a palm-sized portion of dough and place it over the fruit. Repeat with the remaining dough, leaving space between the pieces to create a cobbled effect.
- 9
Brush the dough with the remaining buttermilk and sprinkle the top with the Demerara sugar.
- 10
Bake until the dough is golden brown and the cherry filling is thick and bubbling, which should take about 45 minutes.
- 11
Let the cobbler cool slightly before serving. Top with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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