Cherry Cobbler

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure here.

Fresh-picked sour pie cherries made into a delicious Cherry Cobbler. This classic dessert is easy to make and can be made with fresh or frozen cherries.

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Sour cherries

We planted several fruit trees when we first built our house 15 years ago. We started them as very small saplings and most produce fruit every year.

One of my favorite trees is our sour cherry tree or a pie cherry tree. This tree doesn't produce a lot of cherries, but we do get enough to make a cobbler and a cherry pie every year. Sometimes I have a bit more and I freeze a bag of cherries to use later in the year.

My grandmother always had a pie cherry tree so it was a must for our homestead too. Pie cherries are different than other cherries, like our Bing cherry tree. First, they are very tart or sour. They are also a very soft juicy berry. I usually try to use these the same day I pick them. These cherries are most often used for baking and not for snacking like sweet cherries.

Pie cherries are difficult to find in most stores because the shelf life is so short. You might be able to find them at your local farmer's market or in the freezer section in some stores.

Fresh picked cherries in a white bowl and on a blue board.

Easy to make cobbler

This cobbler really is easy to make. You can mix the biscuit topping by hand or in a food processor.

Mix pitted cherries with sugar and flour.
Add to a greased baking dish.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt and baking powder.
Mix in cold butter. I use my hands and gently smear the butter between my thumb and fingers into the flour mixture.
Add milk and stir just until incorporated.
Drop spoonfuls of dough on top of prepared cherries
Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes

Pie cherries mixed with sugar and flour.

Can I use frozen cherries?

Yes, you can use frozen cherries in this cobbler. Add frozen cherries to a bowl and allow cherries to thaw. Do not discard any of the juices. Follow directions for making with fresh cherries.

Substitutions and Variations

This biscuit topping can be used as a cobbler topping for almost any type of fruit cobbler. Some substitutions and variations include:

Use cherry pie filling - buy canned or make your own. Just add filling to a greased pan and add biscuit topping
Use fresh sweet cherries - Make filling using just a ½ cup of sugar and 3 Tablespoons of flour
Add ground cinnamon - add ½ teaspoon to the filling and ½ a teaspoon to the flour in the biscuit topping
For a slightly different taste, use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar in the filling

Cherry cobbler on a plate and in a casserole dish.

Frequently asked questions

How many pounds of fresh cherries do I need?

You'll need approximately 2 pounds of fresh cherries for this recipe. Once pitted, it will equal about 6 cups of cherries.

Can I make this cobbler ahead of time?

This cobbler is best served the same day it is made. You can make in the morning and serve for dessert in the evening.

What do I serve with cherry cobbler?

This cobbler can be eaten by itself or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's also delicious with a dollop of whipped cream or even a drizzle of heavy cream.