Easy Cherry Cobbler Recipe with Cake Mix
This easy cherry cobbler combines juicy cherries with a golden cake mix topping for an irresistible dessert that tastes homemade but requires minimal effort. Simply layer cherry filling (fresh or canned) with dry cake mix and melted butter for a dessert that bakes to perfection in under an hour. The result is a perfect contrast of sweet-tart fruit and buttery cake that's ideal for any occasion. Customize with nuts, spices, or different fruit combinations, and serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. It's a foolproof recipe that delivers consistent, delicious results every time.
Equipment
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Cherry pitter (if using fresh cherries)
- Mixing bowls (2)
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Oven mitts
Ingredients
For the cherry filling:
- 6 cups fresh cherries pitted (about 2 lbs) OR 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar omit if using canned pie filling
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract optional but highly recommended
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch omit if using canned pie filling
For the topping:
- 1 box yellow cake mix 15.25 oz
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or sliced almonds optional
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar for sprinkling optional
Instructions
Prepare Your Cherries
- If using fresh cherries:
- Wash and pit all cherries (this is the most time-consuming part).
- In a large bowl, combine pitted cherries, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, almond extract, and cornstarch.
- Stir gently until cherries are evenly coated and set aside.
- If using canned cherry pie filling:
- Empty cans into a bowl.
- Stir in vanilla and almond extract to enhance flavor.
Prepare the Baking Dish
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Assemble the Cobbler
- Pour the cherry mixture (or prepared pie filling) into the greased baking dish, spreading evenly.
- In a separate bowl, combine the dry cake mix and cinnamon.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the cherry layer.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix, trying to cover as much of the mix as possible.
- Sprinkle chopped nuts over the top if using.
- Finish with a light sprinkle of coarse sugar for added texture and sparkle.
Bake to Perfection
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.
- If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.
Cool and Serve
- Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving (the filling will be extremely hot).
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Notes
Pro Tips for Cherry Cobbler Recipe with Cake Mix Success
1. Don't mix the cake layer: It might be tempting to stir the butter into the cake mix before sprinkling, but resist! The uneven distribution creates a more interesting texture with some areas cakey and others more crisp.
2. Cherry pitting hack: If you don't have a cherry pitter, use a chopstick to push the pit through the cherry from the stem-end into a bottle below. Place the cherry on the bottle opening, insert the chopstick from the top, and push the pit through.
3. Frozen cherry option: When fresh cherries aren't in season, frozen cherries work well too. Thaw and drain them first, then proceed as if using fresh cherries.
4. Storage tip: Cobbler keeps well at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days. The topping will soften over time but remains delicious.
5. Even butter distribution: To get more even coverage with the melted butter, drizzle it with a fork rather than pouring it all in one spot.
Nutrition
Calories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 30g
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