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You only need a handful of ingredients to make this show stopping Cherry Cobbler recipe with a cake mix. With sweet-tart cherry filling tucked under a golden and buttery almond topping that tastes like it came from scratch. It’s the kind of dessert that wows a crowd but takes minutes to throw together—my favorite kind of magic.
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I love how this cherry cobbler transforms basic ingredients into something that tastes incredible. The almond crunch mixed with the buttery cake creates a topping that is absolutely delicious.
While most fruit desserts are seasonal, this cherry cobbler is my year-round solution when I need something impressive without a grocery run. It’s become my secret weapon for last-minute dinner guests!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The easy cherry cobbler recipe with a cake mix is simple and only requires a handful of ingredients.
- It can be enjoyed all year long because it uses canned cherry pie filling. This Lemon Dump Cake also uses pie filling and is amazing.
- The added crunch of the almonds to the cake mix topping gives it an extra special taste and texture.
- This recipe is the perfect combination of both a cherry crisp and cobbler.
What goes into this Cake Mix Cherry Cobbler
- Cherry Pie Filling: Using canned cherry pie filling makes this one of the easiest desserts to throw together. You’ll need three 21-ounce cans for the perfect fruit filling layer. I also love using this ingredient for this Cherry Cheesecake.
- Vanilla Cake Mix: A box of white cake mix creates that perfect buttery topping with minimal effort. Make sure the dry cake mix is distributed evenly for the best results.
- Cinnamon: Just a touch adds warmth and depth that takes this simple dessert from good to great.
- Sliced Almonds: These add a delicious crunch to the cake mix topping that makes this cobbler extra special.
- Butter: Use melted butter to create that golden brown top crust that everyone loves. Room temperature butter won’t work as well here.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
Pie Filling- Swap out the cherry pie filling for another fruit filling for blueberry cobbler or apple cobbler.
Cake Mix- Try a box of yellow cake mix for a more buttery flavor or chocolate cake mix for a chocolate cherry dump cake variation.
Browned Butter- For an extra rich flavor, brown the butter before mixing it with the cake mix. Just cook it in a pan until golden and nutty-smelling.
Almond Extract- Stir 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract into the cherry pie filling before adding it to your baking dish. This enhances the cherry flavor and complements the almonds in the topping.
How to make Cherry Cobbler with a Cake Mix
- Open all three cans of cherry pie filling and spread them across the bottom of the prepared 9×13 baking pan in an even layer. The juicy cherries create a wonderful base for our cobbler.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry cake mix, sliced almonds, and cinnamon until everything is evenly distributed. This step ensures the cinnamon and almonds are mixed throughout the topping.
- Pour in the melted butter and mix until you have a crumbly texture. Don’t overmix – we want those perfect crumbles for our topping.
- Sprinkle the cake mix mixture over the top of the cherries in an even layer. Make sure to cover all of the fruit filling for the best results. Getting an even layer is one of the simple steps that makes this easy cobbler recipe turn out perfectly every time.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges. Every oven is different, so start checking around 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Serve a scoop of warm cherry cobbler with vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream.
Expert Tips
- Look for signs that it’s done. When the cobbler is done, the top will be golden brown and the cherry filling will be bubbly around the edges.
- Try making this in a slow cooker. To make this easy cherry cobbler recipe in the crock pot, layer the ingredients like you would if making in the oven and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours.
- Serve at the perfect temperature. This cake mix cherry cobbler is best enjoyed warm with homemade whipped cream or a big scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect combination of hot and cold.
- Make individual portions. For a fun presentation, divide the ingredients between ramekins for individual servings. Reduce baking time accordingly.
Storing and Freezing:
Storage: Keep leftover cherry cobbler covered with aluminum foil or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The cobbler will still taste delicious after the first day, though the topping may soften slightly as it sits.
Freezing: This cake mix cherry cobbler can be frozen for up to 2 months. Cool completely, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a 350°F preheated oven for about 20 minutes until warmed through. For best results, freeze before adding any ice cream or whipped cream toppings.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, this cherry cobbler should be refrigerated after it has cooled completely. While it can safely sit at room temperature for a few hours after baking, for longer storage, keep your cake mix cherry cobbler in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
A cobbler has a cake-like topping that’s soft and fluffy underneath with a slightly crusty top. A crisp typically has an oat-based streusel topping with brown sugar and butter that becomes crispy when baked. This easy dump cake recipe is a bit of a combination of both and is quicker to make since it uses prepared mix as the base.
Yes, you can use fresh cherries instead of canned filling. You’ll need about 6 cups of pitted cherries mixed with 3/4 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cornstarch. This creates a similar consistency to canned filling, though the result might be slightly less sweet, but with more fresh fruit flavor.
Do you love easy cobbler recipes? Try these…
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Cherry Cobbler Recipe with a cake mix
Ingredients
- 63 ounces cherry pie filling, {3 – 21 ounces cans}
- 1 box vanilla cake mix, {13.25 ounces}
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ½ cup butter, {melted}
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add all three cans of cherries to the bottom of the prepared pan and spread out into an even layer.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the cake mix, sliced almonds and cinnamon until everything is evenly distributed. Add the melted butter and mix until you have a crumbly texture. Sprinkle the cake mix mixture over the top of the cake mix mixture in an even layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The topping on this cherry cobbler is out of this world!