The Easiest Crockpot Cherry Cobbler

There is something inherently comforting about a warm, bubbly cobbler—the sweet fruit filling, the golden-brown biscuit topping, and that dollop of melting vanilla ice cream. It’s the perfect finish to any meal, but let’s be honest: balancing a holiday roast, sides, and a complex dessert in a single oven is a recipe for stress.

My solution, as always, came from my favorite countertop appliance.

The first time I heard of baking a cobbler in the slow cooker, I was skeptical. How could the crust get golden brown? Wouldn’t it just turn into soup? But the Crockpot Cherry Cobbler is a revelation in slow cooker baking. The moist heat ensures the filling is perfectly hot and bubbling, while a simple trick (which I’ll share!) allows the topping to become wonderfully golden and cake-like.

This recipe is the definition of a dump cake recipe. It requires minimal measuring, zero mixing bowls, and allows you to create a generous, crowd-pleasing dessert while your main meal cooks effortlessly in the oven. This ease is why it’s a massive hit among crockpot recipes and a go-to for anyone searching for an easy dessert solution. Get ready for the simplest, warmest, most satisfying cobbler you’ve ever made.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Crockpot Cherry Cobbler is a consistent traffic winner because it targets the most sought-after qualities in a dessert: low effort and high reward.

The True “Dump and Go” Dessert

This recipe lives up to the promise of being an easy dessert. The prep involves little more than opening a few cans and boxes. There is no mixing, no kneading, and minimal cleanup. You simply “dump” the ingredients into the slow cooker, set the timer, and walk away. This simplicity makes it a favorite for potluck desserts where you need a quick, reliable dish.

Frees Up Your Oven

This is the ultimate genius of slow cooker baking. For holidays or large family dinners, the oven is reserved for the turkey, ham, or main dish. By moving the dessert to the slow cooker, you eliminate the frantic juggling act, ensuring your entire meal runs smoothly. The even, gentle heat guarantees the fruit filling is hot all the way through—a perfect contrast to cold ice cream.

Desserts for a Crowd That are Budget-Friendly

Cobblers and dump cakes are naturally inexpensive, relying on pantry staples like canned fruit filling and cake mix. The slow cooker method allows you to use a large 5- or 6-quart appliance, creating a substantial dessert that easily feeds 8 to 10 people, making it an excellent choice for desserts for a crowd without breaking the bank.

Ingredients and Instructions: The Simple Dump Cake Formula

The genius of this Crockpot Cherry Cobbler lies in the simple layering of canned fruit and dry cake mix, creating a wonderfully moist, cakey topping with no measuring required.

For Serving:

• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

The Basic Instructions:

1. Prep Slow Cooker: Grease the inside of your 5- or 6-quart slow cooker with butter or non-stick spray.
2. Layer Fruit: Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the bottom of the slow cooker. Stir in the vanilla and almond extract.
3. Top with Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle the entire box of dry cake mix over the top of the cherry filling. Do not stir.
4. Add Butter: Distribute the cubed or sliced cold butter evenly over the top of the dry cake mix. The butter is what helps the cake mix turn into a golden crust.
5. Cook: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2–3 hours or on LOW for 4–5 hours. The cobbler is done when the topping is golden brown and the fruit filling is visibly bubbling around the edges.
6. Serve: Turn off the heat and let the cobbler sit for 10 minutes to firm up slightly. Serve warm, directly from the pot, with ice cream.

Crockpot Cherry Cobbler

This Crockpot Cherry Cobbler is a warm, gooey, and comforting dessert made right in your slow cooker. Sweet cherry pie filling is layered with buttery cake mix, brown sugar crumble, and finished with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate easy dessert.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 568

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 (20 oz) cans cherry pie filling
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 8 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup quick rolled oats
• 1/4 cup butter, melted (for topping)

Equipment

• 6-quart slow cooker
• slow cooker liner
• mixing bowl
• whisk
• spoon or spatula

Method

 

1. Pour the cherry pie filling into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
2. In a medium bowl, combine yellow cake mix, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk until well combined, then pour evenly over the cherry pie filling.
3. Pour 8 tablespoons of melted butter evenly over the dry cake mix layer.
4. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, oats, and 1/4 cup melted butter. Mix well and spoon over the top of the cobbler.
5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the top is golden and cooked through.
6. Serve warm with caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

Tips: Drape paper towels under the lid to prevent condensation from making the cobbler soggy. Pour the butter evenly over the cake mix for consistent baking. Check doneness around 2.5 hours since crockpot heat levels vary. Serve warm with caramel sauce and ice cream for a classic finish.

Step by Step: Getting That Golden Cobbler Crust

The biggest concern with slow cooker baking is the lack of direct, dry heat, which can lead to a pale, wet crust. My secret, learned through many batches of Crockpot Cherry Cobbler, guarantees a golden, dry, cake-like top every time.

Here is the detailed, human-written guide to mastering this comfort food dessert:

Step 1: The Essential Thickness of the Filling

While cherry pie filling is already thick, I’ve found that stirring in a small amount of extract (vanilla or almond) truly elevates the flavor. If you want a more complex filling, you can also add $1/4$ cup of dried cranberries or fresh, sliced almonds to the cherry layer for extra texture and tartness.

Step 2: The Dry Cake Mix Layer

When you sprinkle the dry cake mix over the top, you must sprinkle it evenly and absolutely do not stir it! You want the dry powder to sit directly on the fruit layer. Stirring it will incorporate too much moisture, turning the crust into a dense doughy mess instead of a light cake top.

Step 3: The Cold Butter Placement

The cold butter is the element that transforms the dry cake mix. As the cobbler heats, the butter melts down into the dry mix, creating pockets of rich, baked cake. Cut the stick of butter into very thin slices or small cubes and distribute them as evenly as possible over the surface of the dry mix. If you have large gaps of dry mix, they will remain powdery after cooking.

Step 4: The Golden Crust Secret (The Paper Towel Trick)

This is the single most important step for slow cooker baking. The lid of your crockpot traps steam and moisture, which softens the crust. To prevent this, place two layers of paper towels over the top of the slow cooker opening before placing the lid on. The paper towels will absorb the rising steam, ensuring the crust remains dry and golden-brown. Change the paper towels halfway through the cooking time if they are saturated.

Step 5: The Cook Time Check

This cobbler is ready when the center looks set and the filling around the edges is visibly bubbling and hot. If you can’t see the edges, gently push a spoon through the top. If the spoon encounters hot, bubbling fruit and the topping looks mostly dry and golden, it’s done.

Variations, Serving, and Storage FAQs

This simple dump cake recipe is incredibly easy to adapt to any season or fruit flavor, making it a highly versatile easy dessert.

Delicious Variations to Try:

• Peach or Apple Cobbler: Swap the two cans of cherry pie filling for two cans of peach or apple pie filling. For the apple variation, sprinkle $1/2$ teaspoon of cinnamon over the cake mix layer.
• Spice Cake Cobbler: Use a box of spice cake mix instead of yellow or white. This gives the whole dessert a warm, autumnal flavor profile.
• Oatmeal Crumble Topping: For a less cakey, more traditional cobbler, omit the dry cake mix. Instead, top the fruit with a mixture of 1 cup rolled oats, $1/2$ cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, and 1/4 cup melted butter.
• Berry Cobbler: Use frozen mixed berries (about 4 cups) tossed with $1/2$ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cornstarch instead of canned filling. You will need to cook the cobbler for closer to 3 hours on HIGH.

Serving Suggestions:

This warm cherry dessert is perfect for any occasion:

1. Classic Comfort: Serve warm, directly from the slow cooker, into bowls. Top with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a cloud of whipped cream.
2. Holiday Potluck: Since it’s baked right in the slow cooker, you can transport it to a gathering and keep it warm on the “Warm” setting for up to 2 hours.
3. Breakfast Treat: Serve leftovers cold the next morning with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt for a surprisingly delicious breakfast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Your Kitchen’s New Dessert Hero

The Crockpot Cherry Cobbler is a testament to the versatility of the slow cooker. It’s an effortless dump cake recipe that delivers all the warmth, sweetness, and satisfying texture of a traditional cobbler without ever touching your oven.

By using the simple paper towel trick, you guarantee a beautiful golden crust and a sweet, bubbly filling every single time. This is the easy dessert that allows you to relax and enjoy your company, knowing that a perfect finish to your meal is waiting.

Pin this simple baking recipe today and start enjoying stress-free dessert making!