Turning my oven on when it is 100 degrees outside just doesn't seem like the right thing to do. My air conditioner would never shut off! So why not use the grill? That's right, folks! The grill is for more than hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks. It works for desserts too. This summer, I'm going to grill desserts. Does that sound crazy? Maybe. But at least I'll be able to eat baked desserts in my nice, cool air-conditioned house! Fire up your grill and bake along with me. This week, we're starting with a Grilled Cherry Pandowdy.
Let's Grill A Dessert
When cherries are in season, I find myself walking out of the grocery store carrying a bag of them without quite remembering how they got into my cart. They look so perfect and sweet that I can't help it. Now that I have a large bowl of these beautiful red cherries sitting in my kitchen, I need something to make.
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What is a pandowdy?
- Pandowdies are like a pie, but they are not a pie. Here the fruit goes directly into the pan and then you cover it with a pie crust. These can be made with a variety of fruits, but originally had apples. As the pandowdy bakes, the crust is cut into squares, and the squares are pushed down into the fruit filling which will bubble up, this is said to make the top look "dowdy" or a little messy. But we all know that messy desserts tend to taste the best, and this pandowdy is no exception.
- Some people spell it with two words - pan dowdy. We've heard it both ways! Either way, it tastes amazing.
- Making a pandowdy is super easy too. You'll need a single pie crust and fruit. You can even use a store-bought pie crust and canned or frozen fruit. So easy!
Try this Easy Peach Pandowdy Recipe for peach lovers.
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Since this pandowdy is going on the grill, I am using two aluminum cake pans stacked together. Doubling up on the pans adds stability and will help keep the filling from burning.
Here is the ingredient list for making this Grilled Cherry Pandowdy Recipe
- Sweet Cherries - Bing or Rainier work great and you can combine the two.
- Canned Cherry Pie Filling
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Sugar
- Orange Juice
- Single Pie Crust
Plus, you will need two aluminum cake pans.
For this recipe, I like using both canned cherry pie filling and fresh cherries. The canned filling makes a nice, sweet sauce and is a fast way to get this dessert on the grill. The fresh cherries give the dessert a pop of fresh, summer flavor.
How to make Cherry Pandowdy
Step 1.
The crust is the star of the pandowdy, so I prefer using homemade. I have a great recipe for Flaky Pie Crust that is perfect for this dessert. You will want to make the dough and let it chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling. And, if you prefer, a store-bought pie crust will work just as well.
Step 2
Now for the cherries. The first thing you need to do is prepare your cherries by pitting them and cutting the cherries in half if they are really big. If you do not own a cherry pitter, this might be the time to get one. For years I thought I didn't need another gadget in my drawers, but for this recipe, I went all out and spent $10.00 for a pitter. Let's just say it changed my life (and kept the red stains off my fingers!)
Step 3
In a large bowl, mix the fresh pitted cherries, cherry pie filling, orange juice, and spices until combined.
Step 4
Roll out the pie dough to fit the top of the aluminum pan. Leave an inch extra to roll up for the edge. Place the dough over the cherries and crimp the edge.
Step 5
Heat up the grill. I have a four-burner grill and turned the two left burners on high, and the far-right burner on low. I will set the pandowdy on the low, far-right burner. I don't use the fourth burner. Make sense? If you have a three-burner grill just do the same.
Step 6
Generously top the pandowdy crust with sugar, then place it on the grill. Don't skip this step! The sugar melts into the crust, adding some extra flavor and crunchy texture.
Step 7
After about 20 minutes, when the crust has started browning, cut the crust into squares. Next, take a spoon and push down the edges of the squares into the cherries. Be careful of the hot grill. Grill for another 20 minutes or until the crust is brown and the filling is bubbly.
This is what you get...a beautiful, browned, sweet, Grilled Cherry Pandowdy.
Carefully remove the pandowdy from the grill. I set mine in a pie plate, waited for a half-hour for it to cool down, and served it warm.
The crust turned out beautiful, nicely browned and flaky, with the filling peeking through those cut squares.
Want to change up this pandowdy recipe?
Let's talk about all the possibilities
- You don't need a grill for this recipe. You can bake the pandowdy in a 400-degree oven for 45 minutes.
- You can change up the fruit or mix and match. Choose fruits that are in season or match your tastes.
- Frozen or canned fruits can be substituted as well.
- You don't have to wait for the summer heat to grill your desserts. Just remember when you have a big turkey in your oven and don't have room to bake a dessert, use your grill instead
Make sure to check out these other One Hot Oven recipes for other grilled desserts.
Try these individually wrapped Grilled Pineapple Upside Down Cakes for a fun way to serve this classic dessert.
Have you ever had a grilled peach? This Grilled Honey-Lime Peaches and Pound Cake is a simple way to serve a decadent dessert.
Another favorite are these sweet Cherry Handpies that are perfect for cookouts.
Don't forget to pin for later when you want a delicious dessert.
Let's Grill A Pandowdy
Recipe
Grilled Cherry Pandowdy
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Equipment
- 9 inch pie plate can use a baking dish or cake pan
Ingredients
The pie crust
- 1 Pie dough Use this homemade pie dough recipe or purchase a store-bought pie dough.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375 °F
Preparing the pie dough
- Follow the step-by-step instructions for making the pie dough. Roll it out on a floured surface. Ensure the dough is slightly larger than your pie plate. For instance, if using a 9" pie plate, roll the dough out to about 11" in size.
- If using frozen or store-bought pie dough allow it to defrost first, and then roll it out as shown in the above step.
Making the Pandowdy
- In a large bowl combine the fresh pitted cherries, the cherry pie filling, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange juice then transfer the mixture to a deep dish pie plate. Note- if the cherries are large I sometimes cut them in half.
- Cover the cherries with the pie dough, trim any jagged edges. Tuck the dough inside the rim of the pie plate and crimp the edge like you would on a pie.
- Sprinkle sugar on top of the pie dough.
- Place the pie plate on a baking sheet to catch any drips and put it in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and using a knife, cut the pie crust into 1" squares, then with a spoon gently poke down the edges of the squares into the hot filling. You do not have to do all the squares.
- Return to the oven and bake for 25 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Check on the pandowdy to make sure the crust is not getting too brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the pandowdy cool for about 20 minutes before serving. Cover any leftovers with foil or plastic wrap for several days.
Notes
- Depending on the size of the fresh cherries, you may want to cut them in half.
- If fresh cherries are not available, use canned or frozen cherries.
- You will have leftover pie dough. You can re-roll the scrapes and make these Pie Crust Cookies which is what I do because my family loves them. Or, you can reroll the scrapes into a disk, wrap the dough in plastic wrap, then foil and freeze for later.
- Heat the grill - I use a gas grill with four burners. The two left burners are on high and the right burner is on low. The other burner is not lit. You will have to adjust according to your specific grill.
- Use two disposable aluminum pans stacked together to grill the pandowdy.
- In a large bowl, combine the fresh pitted cherries, the cherry pie filling, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange juice, then transfer to a disposable aluminum cake pan.
- Roll the pie dough into a circle that is large enough to fit over the pan with an extra inch so you can crimp the dough.
- Cover the cherries with the pie dough, trim the edges and crimp the dough. Sprinkle sugar on top of the pie dough.
- Place the pan on the grill and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the crust is starting to brown. Open the grill then using a knife, cut the pie crust into 1" squares. Take a spoon and gently poke down the edges of the squares into the hot filling. You do not have to do all the squares. If necessary, remove the pan from the grill because of the heat.
- Grill for another 20 minutes or so until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Check on the pandowdy to make sure the crust is not getting too brown, if it is cover it with foil
- Carefully remove from the hot grill and let cool before eating.
Nutrition
Cherry Pandowdy
Thank you for stopping by the One Hot Oven blog. Please leave a comment to say hello or tell me what you are baking; I always love hearing from fellow bakers. Do you have any questions or want to chat about the recipe? Please visit my About page for information, and I’ll be happy to help!
Hello there, I'm Jere'
From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending. Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing sweet and savory family-friendly recipes for your cooking and baking inspiration.
Alexis
Oh my goodness, I love grilled cherries. I'm loving this recipe so much. Thank you for sharing.
Kari
I love this recipe and it is such a great idea to use the grill for dessert as well. I can just imagine the added smoky flavour on a charcoal grill. Totally saving this for outdoor grilling.
Jere Cassidy
This really is one of my favorite desserts, and to make it on the grill is even better.
Lesli Schwartz
This is gorgeous! Kudos to you for pitting all of those cherries! 🙂 I would love this dessert for a summer picnic!
Jere Cassidy
I love that cherry pitter!!!
Amy Liu Dong
Wow! First time that I've encounter for a food like this to be grilled. The finished product is so mesmerizing and the looks really makes this food an enticing one.
Gail Montero
Thank you for introducing me to a new type of dessert! It looks scrumptious and I want some right now. Love the idea of using the grill, too!
Beth
We don't have a grill, but at least I learned what a pandowdy is and what I might make one day when we do have one. I do love cherries, and this looks scrumptious.
Jere Cassidy
Just throw the pandowdy in the oven and it is just as good.
sapana
Grilled cherries in the baked pandaowy sounds like a wonderful dessert. I love how gorgeous flavors fruits give after grilling.
Sophia
I've never heard of pandowdy, but it's a really great idea, as is grilling instead of using an oven during thee summer. This recipe is super simple and has a great flavor. Delicious!