Cherry Pudding
Close kin to cobbler, and also to cake, this cherry pudding takes very little effort, and it transforms pantry staples into a warm, fragrant fruit dessert.
1 cup
sugar 1 cup flour
1 teaspoon
baking soda 1/2 teaspoon
salt 1 egg
1 can (15-ounce) cherries packed in water
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 cup chopped nuts
2 teaspoons
cornstarch 1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cups frozen sweet cherries or canned cherries, drained
1/4 teaspoon
almond extract pinch of
ground cinnamon Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Whisk the sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the egg and the cherries, including their juice, and pour the batter into a buttered baking pan about 8 x 8 inches. Top with the brown sugar, butter, and nuts, and bake for about an hour, or until crisp on top. Serve warm or cold.
Cherry Sauce
In a small bowl, blend the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of the water, then with the rest of the water. Place the cherries in a small saucepan, add the cornstarch and water mixture, and mix gently. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, and simmer just until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat, add the almond extract and the cinnamon, and serve with cherry pudding.
Ice cream or whipped cream also make nice pudding accompaniments.