Easy Crockpot Chocolate Cherry Cobbler: A 3-Ingredient Black Forest Inspired Slow Cooker Dessert
For every Black Forest Cake enthusiast seeking a hassle-free, utterly delicious dessert solution, prepare to fall in love – truly, deeply in love – with this incredible crockpot chocolate cherry cobbler. Much like our beloved crockpot apple cobbler, this recipe boasts a remarkable simplicity, requiring only three core ingredients. It’s the ultimate “set it and forget it” sweet treat that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend gatherings.
The inspiration for this delightful slow cooker chocolate cherry cobbler came from countless requests and comments regarding new flavor combinations for my popular apple cobbler recipe. I decided to dive into a classic pairing: rich chocolate and vibrant cherries. The result is a dessert so scrumptious, it could easily be dubbed a chocolate cherry dump cake for the crockpot. It’s incredibly quick to assemble, leaving you with more time to enjoy your day, and it’s absolutely heavenly when served warm with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream melting over its gooey, fruit-laden crust.
The Magic of Crockpot Chocolate Cherry Cobbler
Whether you call it a dump cake, a cobbler, or a Black Forest inspired dessert, one thing is certain: this concoction is nothing short of amazing. It’s truly delicious, utterly lip-smacking, and incredibly satisfying. The beauty of slow cooker desserts, especially this easy chocolate cherry cobbler, lies in its sheer convenience. You can simply “set it and forget it” for several hours, allowing the slow cooker to work its magic while you attend to other tasks or simply relax. In this particular recipe, a mere four hours is all it takes to transform simple ingredients into a decadent treat.
Imagine this: a few hours before dinner, you effortlessly combine a few ingredients in your slow cooker. The enticing aroma of warm chocolate and cherries begins to fill your home. After dinner, as everyone is feeling content, you lift the lid to reveal a bubbling, rich, and utterly irresistible dessert, piping hot and ready to be devoured. It’s the perfect ending to any meal, requiring minimal last-minute fuss. You’re welcome!
How to Make the Easiest Chocolate Cherry Cobbler in Your Crockpot
I genuinely promise you, this recipe could not be simpler. Seriously, it’s that easy! The entire process involves just a few straightforward steps. First, you’ll need to melt some butter. Then, you’ll pour cans of luscious cherry pie filling directly into the bottom of your crockpot. Next, a generous layer of dry chocolate cake mix is sprinkled evenly over the cherry filling. Finally, the melted butter is drizzled over the cake mix layer. The key is to avoid mixing these layers; the slow cooker’s gentle, moist heat will do all the work, creating a wonderful, tender cake-like topping. Cover your crockpot, set it to cook, and let time transform these humble ingredients into a spectacular slow cooker chocolate cherry cobbler. That’s truly all there is to it, folks!
Related Recipe – If you love cherry desserts, be sure to check out our classic Cherry Pie recipe for another fantastic option!
Essential Ingredients for Your Crockpot Chocolate Cherry Cobbler
The beauty of this easy crockpot chocolate cherry cobbler recipe lies in its minimal ingredient list, proving that you don’t need a pantry full of exotic items to create something truly magical. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in delivering that beloved Black Forest-inspired flavor profile:
- Canned Cherry Pie Filling: This is the heart of your cobbler. The canned filling provides both the sweet, tart cherries and the necessary liquid and thickener for a perfectly gooey fruit layer. It eliminates the need for pitting fresh cherries or preparing a sauce from scratch, significantly simplifying the process. Using two standard 21-ounce cans ensures a generous and flavorful cherry base.
- Chocolate Cake Mix: A box of your favorite chocolate cake mix forms the delightful cake-like topping. The dry mix absorbs moisture from the cherry filling and the slow cooker’s steam, baking into a tender, crumbly crust that perfectly complements the cherries. Any standard chocolate cake mix will work beautifully, contributing to that rich cocoa flavor.
- Melted Butter: Drizzled over the dry cake mix, the melted butter is essential for creating a golden-brown, slightly crispy topping. As it cooks, the butter interacts with the cake mix, ensuring a delightful texture that’s neither too dry nor too soggy.
- Vanilla Ice Cream (Optional, but highly recommended!): While strictly optional, a scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream melting into the warm cobbler is a classic pairing for a reason. The cold, creamy ice cream provides a wonderful contrast to the hot, rich dessert, enhancing the overall experience. Seriously, why wouldn’t you?
- Maraschino Cherries (Optional, for an elegant touch): If you’re feeling a little fancy or want to fully embrace the Black Forest aesthetic, a few bright red maraschino cherries on top add a pop of color and a touch of extra sweetness.
Handy Kitchen Tools You’ll Find Helpful
To make your experience even smoother, gather these basic kitchen essentials:
- Crockpot: The star of the show, allowing for hands-off cooking.
- Serving Spoon: For dishing out generous portions of your warm cobbler.
- Serving Dishes: Individual bowls or ramekins are perfect for this cozy dessert.
- Ice Cream Scoop: For perfectly portioned scoops of vanilla goodness.
Common Questions People Ask About This Recipe
Over the years, many people have reached out with excellent questions about making my various cobbler recipes in the crockpot. This crockpot chocolate cherry cobbler follows similar principles, so here are some of the most common inquiries, with detailed answers to help you achieve perfect results every time.
Can I experiment with different pie fillings or cake flavors?
Absolutely, and I wholeheartedly encourage it! This recipe is incredibly versatile and serves as a fantastic base for endless flavor combinations. Feel free to unleash your creativity and experiment with your favorite fruit fillings and cake mixes. For example, a chocolate cake mix would be equally delightful with strawberry, raspberry, or even blueberry pie filling, creating unique and equally delicious “dump cake” style cobblers. Conversely, cherry pie filling pairs wonderfully with a white cake mix for a more traditional cherry cobbler flavor, or even a yellow cake mix for a buttery twist. Don’t be shy – try something new! And please, be sure to come back and share your delicious discoveries; I always love hearing about successful variations.
Is it possible to use fresh cherries instead of canned?
While you certainly could use fresh cherries, it would add a significant amount of preparation time and complexity, moving this recipe away from its “super easy” designation. If you opt for fresh cherries, you would need to carefully wash and pit them all, which can be a time-consuming task. Additionally, fresh cherries would likely need to be tossed with some sugar (granulated or brown) and perhaps a touch of cinnamon or almond extract to mimic the sweetness and flavor profile of canned pie filling. You might also need to add a thickener like cornstarch to create that desirable gooey consistency. For a truly homemade experience that’s still relatively easy, consider making your own homemade cherry pie filling from scratch, then using that in the cobbler. It’s a fantastic middle-ground option!
What about making this cobbler gluten-free or dairy-free?
Yes, absolutely! Catering to dietary restrictions is quite feasible with this adaptable recipe. For a gluten-free version, you’ll be happy to know that there are several excellent gluten-free chocolate cake mixes available on the market today. While I haven’t personally tested them all with this specific cobbler, they are generally designed to behave similarly to traditional cake mixes. I would imagine they would yield equally delicious results, providing a wonderful gluten-free chocolate cherry dump cake. If you try it, please let me know your experience! For dairy-free needs, simply substitute the butter with an equal amount of your favorite dairy-free margarine or any of the numerous plant-based butter substitutes widely available. Many of these substitutes are formulated to perform just like real butter in baking, ensuring your dairy-free cobbler is just as rich and flavorful.
Can this recipe be adapted for an Instant Pot?
Yes, this slow cooker chocolate cherry cobbler can certainly be made in an Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker with a slow cook function. You would follow the exact same instructions for layering the ingredients. When it comes to cooking, simply use the “Slow Cook” setting on your Instant Pot. Cook on the low setting for approximately four hours to achieve the same delicious, gooey consistency as in a traditional crockpot. Ensure your Instant Pot is on a stable surface and you use the correct lid for slow cooking, if different from the pressure cooking lid.
How should I store leftovers, and how do I reheat them?
If you happen to have any leftovers – which is a rare occurrence with this irresistible dessert! – they can be easily stored. Simply transfer the cooled chocolate cherry cobbler into an airtight storage container with a lid and place it in the refrigerator. It will keep well for 3-4 days. When refrigerated, the cake-like topping might become a bit firm, and the filling will thicken. To return it to its warm, gooey glory, simply scoop a portion into a microwave-safe dish and heat it in the microwave for one to two minutes, or until warmed through. The heat will soften the topping and loosen the filling, making it wonderfully delicious again. You can also reheat larger portions in an oven at a low temperature (around 300°F or 150°C) until warm.
Why You’ll Adore This Easy Slow Cooker Dessert
This crockpot chocolate cherry cobbler isn’t just a recipe; it’s a dessert philosophy! Here are a few more reasons why it deserves a permanent spot in your culinary repertoire:
- Effortless Entertainment: Hosting a dinner party? This cobbler is a stress-free dessert that allows you to focus on your guests, rather than being stuck in the kitchen.
- Year-Round Comfort: Perfect for any season, it brings warmth and comfort on a chilly evening, yet is light enough for a summer treat with a scoop of cool ice cream.
- Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: The familiar flavors of chocolate and cherry are universally loved, making it a hit with both children and adults.
- Minimal Cleanup: Since everything cooks in one pot, cleanup is a breeze, which is always a bonus after enjoying a delicious meal.
- Versatile for Potlucks: It travels well and can be kept warm in the slow cooker, making it an ideal contribution to potlucks and gatherings.
Tips for Achieving the Best Crockpot Chocolate Cherry Cobbler
While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few tips can elevate your slow cooker chocolate cherry cobbler from great to absolutely phenomenal:
- Don’t Stir! This is perhaps the most important rule for dump cakes and cobblers made with dry cake mix. Resist the urge to stir the cake mix and butter into the fruit filling. The layers are meant to cook separately and meld together as the steam rises, creating distinct textures. Stirring will result in a dense, chewy cake rather than a tender cobbler topping.
- Grease Your Crockpot: Although most modern crockpots have non-stick interiors, a light greasing with butter or non-stick spray can help prevent any sticking and make cleanup even easier.
- Lid Placement: Ensure your crockpot lid is securely in place to trap moisture. Some prefer to place a clean kitchen towel under the lid to absorb excess condensation, preventing the topping from becoming too soggy. However, this is optional for this recipe.
- Serving Temperature: This cobbler is best served warm, allowing the flavors to truly shine and any accompanying ice cream to melt into a delightful sauce.
- Consider Additional Toppings: Beyond vanilla ice cream, consider a dollop of fresh whipped cream, a sprinkle of chocolate shavings, chopped toasted nuts (like almonds or pecans), or a drizzle of chocolate syrup for extra indulgence.
Other Delicious Cobbler Desserts to Try
If you’ve enjoyed this easy crockpot chocolate cherry cobbler, you’ll love exploring other variations of this comforting dessert. Here are a few more cobbler recipes that are equally delightful:
- Quick Apple Cranberry Cobbler
- Cran Apple Crisp (similar concept, different texture!)
- Blueberry Cobbler
- 3-Ingredient French Vanilla Peach Cobbler
- Crockpot Apple Cobbler (the inspiration for this recipe!)
For a visual guide to just how incredibly easy this crockpot chocolate cherry cobbler is to make, be sure to watch the video below. It walks you through each simple step, ensuring perfect results every time!
Crockpot Chocolate Cherry Cobbler
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It
Rate It
Save ItSaved!
Ingredients
- 42 ounces cherry pie filling (2 21-ounce cans)
- 15.5 ounce chocolate cake mix
- 6 tbsp butter (melted)
- 6 scoops vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)
- Maraschino cherries (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
-
Lightly grease the inside of your crockpot. Empty both cans of cherry pie filling into the bottom of the crockpot, spreading evenly.
-
Evenly sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix over the cherry pie filling. Do not stir or mix.
-
Drizzle the melted butter carefully and evenly over the cake mix layer. Again, do not mix it with the cake mix or the cherries. The moisture generated by the slow cooker will work to “bake” the cake topping beautifully.
-
Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on the high setting for 4 hours, or on the low setting for 6 hours. Cook until the cake topping is set and lightly golden, and the fruit filling is bubbly.
-
Once cooked, spoon the warm chocolate cherry cobbler into individual serving dishes. Serve immediately, generously topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and an optional maraschino cherry for garnish. Enjoy!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
