National Cherry Cobbler Day is on Monday, May 17, 2027, and it falls on May 17 every year. It celebrates a deep dish of sweet-tart cherries baked under a golden biscuit or batter topping. It’s one of the easiest fruit desserts to make, with no pie crust to roll.
When Is National Cherry Cobbler Day?
It’s always May 17. It’s an unofficial food day. Fresh sweet cherries reach stores in late spring and summer, but frozen or jarred tart cherries work any time.
Who Started National Cherry Cobbler Day?
No founder or start year has been documented.
Background: how cobblers began
Cobblers grew out of English steamed puddings. Early American settlers adapted those recipes to the ingredients and cooking equipment they had, What’s Cooking America explains.
Colonists often ate these fruit dishes at breakfast or as a main course. They became mostly desserts in the late 19th century.
Merriam-Webster defines a cobbler as “a deep-dish fruit dessert with a thick top crust.” Where the name came from isn’t known for sure.
Cobbler, crisp or slump?
- Cobbler: fruit under a thick biscuit or batter topping.
- Crisp or crumble: fruit under a crumbly topping, often with oats. “Crumble” is the British name.
- Grunt or slump: New England versions cooked on the stovetop, with dumplings steamed on top of the fruit.
- Buckle: a single-layer cake with berries and a streusel topping.
Why Celebrate Cherry Cobbler?
It’s a simple, homey dessert that lets fruit shine. Tart cherries are especially good for baking because they hold their bright flavor under sugar and heat.
They’re also a big part of American farming. Michigan grows about 70% of the nation’s tart cherries, according to the state’s agriculture department.
How to Celebrate National Cherry Cobbler Day
- Choose your cherries: tart cherries give classic flavor; sweet cherries need less sugar and a squeeze of lemon.
- Thicken the filling: toss cherries with sugar and cornstarch so the juices set as they bake.
- Use a pitter: a cherry pitter, or a sturdy straw, makes fresh cherries quick to prep.
- Drop the biscuits: spoon biscuit dough over the fruit in mounds, leaving gaps for steam.
- Add almond: a little almond extract brings out cherry flavor.
- Serve warm: top with vanilla ice cream or lightly sweetened whipped cream.
- Bake outdoors: make a camp cobbler in a covered cast-iron Dutch oven over coals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned cherry pie filling?
Yes. It makes a fast cobbler. Reduce the sugar in the topping, since pie filling is already sweet.
Why is my cobbler topping doggy underneath?
The fruit may be too juicy or the topping too thick. Heat the filling first, leave gaps between biscuits and bake until bubbling in the center.
How do I store leftover cobbler?
Cover and refrigerate it for up to four days. Reheat individual portions in the oven to re-crisp the topping.