Microwave Cherry Crunch
Cherry crunch is a quick and delightful dessert combining sweet cherry filling with a buttery cake topping, topped with nuts and cinnamon. Perfect for a cozy family dessert or a casual get-together, it offers warm, fruity flavors with a crunchy, nutty finish in just minutes using the microwave.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pour the cherry pie filling into an oblong Pyrex baking dish.
- Sprinkle the yellow cake mix evenly over the cherry filling.
- Pat the cake mix into the cherries to distribute evenly.
- Sprinkle brown sugar and a little cinnamon over the top.
- Dot with margarine and sprinkle chopped nuts on top.
- Cover with wax paper and microwave on High for 14 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, try using a different pie filling such as blueberry or apple. If you don't have margarine, butter can be used as a substitute for a richer flavor. Adjust the cinnamon to your liking; a bit more can enhance the warmth of the dessert. If you're using a smaller microwave, you may need to cook in shorter intervals, checking for doneness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm, straight from the microwave, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top. This dessert pairs beautifully with Mam-Maw'S Old Fashioned Sauerkraut for a contrasting savory side. It's perfect for gatherings, and you can also enjoy it as a quick snack or a sweet breakfast treat.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave individual portions for about 30-60 seconds until warm. If desired, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top when serving warm to enhance the experience.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Microwave Cherry Crunch contains roughly 392 calories, with 2g protein, 86g carbohydrates, and 6g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?
Yes, you can use fresh cherries, but you'll need to cook them down with sugar and a bit of cornstarch to achieve a similar consistency and sweetness to the canned filling. This will give you a fresher flavor and allow you to customize the sweetness.
Is this recipe suitable for a vegan diet?
To make this recipe vegan, substitute the margarine with a plant-based butter and ensure that the cake mix does not contain any dairy products. Many brands offer vegan cake mixes, making it easy to enjoy this dessert while adhering to vegan recipes.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).