Black Forest Cobbler

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 7 cups (2 pounds) pitted red cherries*
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• Cream or ice cream, if desired

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Mix the 1/2 cup sugar and the cornstarch in a 2 quart saucepan.
3. Stir in cherries. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute.
4. Stir in almond extract. Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole; keep hot in oven.
5. Mix flour, cocoa, the 1 tablespoon sugar, the baking powder and salt in a bowl.
6. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knifes, until mixture looks like fine crumbs.
7. Stir in milk.
8. Drop dough by 6 spoonsful onto hot fruit mixture.
9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until topping is set.
10. Serve warm with cream.

Notes

* Frozen cherries, partially thawed, can be used for the fresh cherries.