Easy Cherry Cobbler Recipe – Fresh, Frozen or Canned Cherries

This easy cherry cobbler is a simple homemade dessert with sweet cherry filling and a soft, buttery golden topping. You can make it the quick way with canned cherry pie filling, or make your own cherry filling from scratch with fresh or frozen cherries.

If you love easy fruit cobblers, try my Super Easy Peach Cobbler with canned peaches, Easy Blueberry Cobbler, or my 5-Ingredient Blackberry Cobbler. This cherry version is just as cozy, buttery, and perfect served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Cherry Cobbler Recipe

• Two filling options – use canned cherry pie filling for a shortcut or make homemade cherry filling from fresh or frozen cherries.
• Simple homemade topping – no cake mix needed, just a buttery batter made with basic pantry ingredients.
• Perfect with sour cherries – tart cherries balance the sweet cobbler topping beautifully.
• Easy comfort dessert – warm, fruity, buttery, and delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Great year-round – use canned pie filling when you need a quick dessert, or frozen cherries when fresh cherries are not in season.

Ingredients for Cherry Cobbler

You can make this cobbler with either canned cherry pie filling or homemade cherry filling.

For the quick version, use:

• Cherry pie filling – one can of cherry pie filling makes this recipe fast and easy.

For homemade cherry filling, you’ll need:

• Cherries – fresh or frozen cherries work best. If using frozen cherries, no need to thaw first. You can use sweet or sour cherries
• Sugar – sweetens the cherries. Use 2/3 cup for sweeter cherries or 3/4 cup if using very tart sour cherries.
• Cornstarch – thickens the cherry juices into a glossy filling.
• Lemon juice – brightens the flavor and balances the sweetness.

For the cobbler topping:

• All-purpose flour – the base of the homemade cobbler batter.
• Baking powder – helps the topping rise and bake up soft.
• Salt – balances the sweetness.
• Sugar – sweetens the batter.
• Milk – creates a smooth, pourable batter.
• Vanilla extract – adds warm flavor.
• Butter – melted in the baking dish for rich flavor and golden, buttery edges.

How to Make Cherry Cobbler

Start by preparing the cherry filling. For the quick version, simply use one can of cherry pie filling.

1. For homemade cherry filling, add the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice to a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, for 5–10 minutes, until the cherries release their juices and the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and set aside while you prepare the cobbler batter.
2. Place the butter in a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it in the oven while it preheats, just until the butter melts.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Add the milk and vanilla, then whisk until smooth.
4. Carefully remove the hot baking dish from the oven and pour the batter evenly over the melted butter. Do not stir. Spoon the cherry filling evenly over the batter.
5. Bake until the cobbler is golden brown, the edges are set, and the cherry filling is bubbling. Let it cool slightly before serving warm with vanilla ice cream.

Homemade Cherry Filling

If you have fresh or frozen sour cherries, homemade filling is easy and gives this cobbler the best flavor. Combine 4 cups of pitted cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Simmer for 5–10 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and looks glossy.

Use 2/3 cup sugar for regular cherries or 3/4 cup sugar for sour cherries. If using frozen cherries, no need to thaw them first; just add 1 tablespoon of additional cornstarch.

Can I Use Cherry Pie Filling?

Yes. Cherry pie filling makes this cobbler very quick and easy. Use one can of cherry pie filling and spoon it over the cobbler batter before baking.

The homemade cherry filling has a fresher, more tart-sweet flavor, but canned cherry pie filling is a great shortcut when you need an easy dessert with minimal prep.

Tips for the Best Cherry Cobbler

• Do not stir the batter and butter together – pour the batter over the melted butter and leave it as is.
• Cook homemade filling until thickened – the cherry filling should look glossy and slightly thick before adding it to the cobbler.
• Adjust sugar for sour cherries – use more sugar if your cherries are very tart.
• Bake until the center is set – the edges should be golden, and the filling should be bubbling.
• Let it cool slightly – the cherry filling will thicken as it cools.

Easy Fruit Cobbler Variations

This same easy cobbler recipe works beautifully with other fruits. Try my Super Easy Peach Cobbler for a classic canned peach version, Easy Blueberry Cobbler for a buttery berry dessert, or Easy Strawberry Cobbler for a fresh summer twist.

If you love easy cobblers with simple ingredients, my 5-Ingredient Blackberry Cobbler is another great one to try.

And for fall baking, you should try Easy Apple Cobbler.

How to Store Cherry Cobbler

Let the cobbler cool completely, then cover it tightly and store it at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave, or reheat the whole dish in the oven at 300°F until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Easy Cobbler Recipes

1. Super Easy Peach Cobbler
2. Easy Blueberry Cobbler
3. Easy Strawberry Cobbler
4. 5-Ingredient Blackberry Cobbler
5. Apple Cobbler Recipe

Print

Easy Cherry Cobbler

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• Author: Vera Z.
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour

Description

Easy cherry cobbler made with sweet cherry filling and a soft, buttery golden topping. Use canned cherry pie filling for a quick shortcut, or make the homemade cherry filling with fresh or frozen cherries.

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Ingredients

For Homemade Cherry Filling:

• 4 cups pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar, or 2/3 cup for sour cherries
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Or use:

For Cobbler Batter:

• 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. To make homemade cherry filling, add cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice to a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, for 5–10 minutes, until the cherries release their juices and the filling thickens. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
3. Place the butter in a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it in the oven for a few minutes, until melted.
4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Add milk and vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
5. Carefully remove the hot baking dish from the oven. Pour the batter evenly over the melted butter. Do not stir.
6. Spoon the cherry filling evenly over the batter.
7. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown, the edges are set, and the cherry filling is bubbling.
8. Let the cobbler cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream.

Notes

For a quick version, use 1 can of cherry pie filling instead of making the homemade cherry filling.

For sour cherries, use 2/3 cup sugar in the filling. For sweeter cherries, 1/2 cup sugar should be enough.

If using frozen cherries, no need to thaw them first. Cook them with the sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice until the filling thickens. You can add 1 additional Tablespoon of cornstarch.