Gluten Free Cherry Cobbler With A Touch Of Rose

This beautiful gluten-free cherry cobbler, with its touches of roses and cherry blossoms, will make you feel like spring!

A mixture of almond, rice, and oat flour makes the sweet cobbler topping gluten-free. For a dairy-free cobbler option, the combination of cherries, almonds, and rose is the perfect note for spring.

Cherry Season in Russia

Cherries have been with me since I was a child in Russia.

I remember Sunday mornings with my mom and grandmother, walking the streets of Ekaterinburg. We would usually do something fun - go to the circus, the theatre, or just a park - and then we would take a long walk along the tree-lined summer streets.

Everything was in bloom, the air perfumed with the smell of cherry blossoms and cottonwood trees. The grand alleys would be lined with large trees, their canopies forming a natural cover from all-too-frequent Russian summer rain. And everywhere you looked, you saw street cherry vendors.

At just the right time of the year, my mom would stop at these street food peddlers and buy me a pack of cherries. They would come wrapped in a cone made out of a rolled up newspaper.

We would open the top right then and there, eating the fresh cherries out of the bag as we walked. Their purple juice would stain our fingers, lips, and clothes. I would sip on a soda in an enamel mug that my grandmother bought from a vending machine, which was also set up on the street to dispense flavored sodas straight into containers people brought from home.

For me, there was no sweeter moment, no sweeter combination than of cherries and the summer air.

Dominant Flavors in This Easy Cherry Almond Cake

This easy cobbler relies on a couple of flavor combinations for its irresistible taste: cherries and almonds, and cherries and rose.

Cherry and almond are classic flavor combinations, especially for this cherry almond cake. Everyone watching the Great British Bakeoff knows of Bakewell Tart, which relies on raspberries and almonds for its unique taste. But have you ever tried it with almonds and cherries? The slightly bitter aroma of almonds pairs beautifully with the deep sweetness of cherries, and almond flour lends a soft texture to the cobbler topping.

The second flavor combination I rely on in this cobbler is cherry and rose. You could think of the cobbler as a cherry rose cake! I used sugar that I mixed with rose petals (as in these kefir pancakes), and added a couple of drops of rose water into the filling. If you're not a fan of roses, feel free to skip those flavorings—the cobbler will be amazing as is!

This gluten-free summer dessert benefits from the marriage of these three flavors in texture, aroma, and taste.

How do you pit cherries?

One year, I got access to a whole harvest of sour cherries. Armed with 10 kilograms of fresh cherries to pit, I knew I needed a solution!

I tried pitting cherries with a straw, and it was an epic fail. I cut them in half and removed the pits, until I got tired after about 10 cherries. And finally, I broke down and bought this OXO cherry pitter... and it became my favorite kitchen gadget.

I use the OXO cherry pitter to pit cherries, olives, and even some small plums. We eat a lot of olives, so even with the cherry season over, it still gets a lot of use!

When pitting cherries, make sure you avoid wearing white and do it over an easily wipeable surface, like a cutting board or a marble or quartz counter (that you'll clean right away to avoid the juices sipping in!).

The important thing is to have fun. This is one of those rare moments in life when you have full permission to make a mess!

Ingredients

• Fresh or frozen cherries – The star ingredient, providing juicy bursts of sweetness throughout the cobbler. You can use frozen cherries but fresh cherries tastes better for this gluten free cherry pie. 
• Blanched slivered almonds or dried rose petals – For added texture and a subtle floral note, enhancing the springtime feel.
• Eggs – Essential for binding the ingredients and giving the cherry filling its structure.
• Sugar – Sweetens the batter and can be infused with rose petals for an extra layer of flavor.
• Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
• Almond flour – Adds a nutty richness and keeps the cobbler gluten-free.
• Gluten-free flour mix (sweet rice flour, gluten-free oat flour, xanthan gum) – Creates the perfect cobbler topping with a tender crumb.
• Melted butter, coconut oil, or vegan butter – Adds moisture and richness to the batter.
• Amaretto or brandy – Provides a hint of warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
• Milk or non-dairy milk – Makes the batter smooth and pourable, ensuring a tender texture.
• Vanilla extract or rosewater extract – Adds a fragrant note, complementing the cherries beautifully.
• Powdered sugar – For dusting the finished cobbler, adding a touch of elegance.
• Whipped cream (optional) – Perfect for serving, adding a light and creamy finish to the dessert.

See recipe card for exact quantities. 

Equipment

• One large bowl
• cutting board
• OXO cherry pitter
• Oven
• Casserole dish

Instructions on How to Make This Gluten Free Cherry Cobbler Recipe 

Prepare the Baking Sheet

Preheat the oven and prepare and butter a 9-inch baking dish or pie pan, then place it on a baking sheet to prevent dripping.

Scatter the cherries and slivered almonds (or rose petals) over the bottom of the dish.

Make the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs. Gradually add the sugar, salt, and flour, and stir together until smooth. Add the milk, butter, amaretto or brandy, and vanilla or rosewater extract. Mix together until the cherry pie filling is well combined.

Gradually pour in the milk and whisk gently. The batter should look like crepe batter. Pour the mixture atop the cherries and almonds.

Bake the Cobbler

Bake until the cobbler biscuit topping is puffed and golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Serve Cherry Cobbler

Serve this sweet treat while still warm from the oven or at room temperature. Dust with powdered sugar on top just before serving. If desired, top with a dollop of whipped cream or more sweet cherries for the perfect summer dessert.

Storage for Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler

Leftovers will last for 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. If using whipped cream, keep it separate from the cobbler.

Can this be made into a dairy-free cherry cobbler?

Yes. Replace the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. Replace the milk with almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk - whatever you like! I never tried making this recipe without eggs, but I believe you could use flax eggs or JUST eggs for a gluten-free vegan cobbler.

What to pair with this cherry dessert

A slice of cherry pie with some whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top would go lovely at the end of a spring or summer meal!

If you're a fan of cobblers, try my peach cobbler. Strawberry Cobbler is another household favorite with us.

For an Easter brunch, try pairing it with any of the following recipes:

• Gluten-Free Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes
• Vegetarian Irish Colcannon with Spinach
• Classic White Fish in White Wine Sauce
• Ottolenghi Air fryer asparagus with almonds and capers

Other Cobbler, Crisp, and Cake Recipes

If you can't get enough of fresh fruit cobblers, try our Easy Gluten Free Peach Cobbler with Fresh Basil or this delicious yet healthy Apple Crisp Recipe. 

Alternatively, if you'd like to try your hand at some pies, try this Incredible Gluten Free Fresh Apple Pie or our Gluten-Free Pecan Pie with Maple Syrup and Maple Dulce de Leche that you will come back to again and again. 

Recipe