Quick and Easy Spiced Cherry Cobbler

Today is the Autumn Equinox, and it feels like the perfect excuse to welcome the changing of the seasons with something warm and cozy from the oven. This Quick & Easy Spiced Cherry Cobbler is just the kind of dessert I love for fall—simple to make, full of comforting flavors, and perfect for a crisp autumn day. A spice cake mix makes an easy shortcut for the buttery, crumbly base and topping, while cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg add extra warmth to the sweet cherry filling. Vanilla-sugar pecans bring a little crunch to the dish. And if cherry isn’t your thing, this recipe is easy to customize with your favorite pie filling. It’s a simple way to change up the dessert while keeping the same quick and easy recipe.

Quick & Easy Spiced Cherry Cobbler

Ingredients

Spiced Cherry Cobbler

• 1 (15.25-ounce) box spice cake mix

• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 large egg

• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar

• 2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling

• 4 ounces Vanilla-Sugar Pecans, divided

• ⅛ teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom

• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Vanilla-Sugar Pecans

• 4 ounces chopped pecans (about 1 cup)

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar

• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Place the chopped pecans in a small bowl and toss with the melted butter until lightly and evenly coated. Add the vanilla sugar and a pinch of salt, then toss again until evenly coated.

3. Spread the pecans in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Toast for 5–7 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Watch them carefully to prevent burning. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely.

4. In a large bowl, whisk together the spice cake mix, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. Add the softened butter, egg, vanilla extract, and 2 ounces of the Vanilla-Sugar Pecans. Mix with a fork until well combined and a crumbly mixture forms.

5. Reserve 1 cup of the crumble mixture and set aside. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.

6. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove it from the oven.

7. Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the warm crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture evenly over the cherries, followed by the remaining 2 ounces of Vanilla-Sugar Pecans.

8. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.

9. Allow the cobbler to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.