Old-Fashioned Cherry Pandowdy

If pies aren't really your thing, consider trying this cherry pandowdy—it's like a pie but doesn't have a bottom crust. Instead, a pandowdy is topped with a buttery, flaky crust with fruit underneath.

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This classic dessert is both rustic and incredibly easy to make. Plus, you can easily swap out the cherries for any other seasonal fruit you fancy. I am a total cherry lover, so CHERRIES it is for today's dessert.

But wait, here is a Peach Pandowdy Recipe for peach lovers.

I know you want to know...

What Is A Pandowdy?

• Pandowdies are a Southern classic from the early 1900s. They are similar to pies but not quite pies. The fruit is placed directly into the pan and then covered with a pie crust, resembling a cobbler or a crisp but with pie dough.
• These can be made with a variety of fruits, but they were originally made with apples.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.  However, you spell it, it still tastes amazing.
• Making a pandowdy is also super easy. You'll only need a single pie crust and some fruit. You can even opt for a store-bought pie crust and canned or frozen fruit. It's that simple!

Pandowdy Ingredients

I like using canned cherry pie filling and fresh cherries for this recipe.  The canned filling makes a nice, sweet sauce, and the fresh cherries give the dessert a pop of fresh summer flavor.

• Sweet Cherries: Bing or Rainier work great, and you can combine the two.
• Canned Cherry Pie Filling: The pie filling holds all the sweetness in the syrup.
• Cinnamon & Nutmeg: This doesn't take much, but these spices add some extract flavor.
• Orange Juice: I like to add OJ with the cherries for some citrusy flavor, and it pairs well with cherries
• Single Pie Crust: The crust is the star of the pandowdy. I have a great recipe for Flaky Pie Crust that is perfect for this dessert. Today, I used a store-bought pie crust, which will work just as well.
• Granulated sugar: This is sprinkled on the crust. You can also use a little bit of demerara sugar or coconut sugar.

How to make Cherry Pandowdy

Step 1. First, make the pie dough. You can make the dough and let it chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling, or you can use store-bought dough.

Step 2. Prep the cherries by washing and pitting them (with the new cherry pitter.)  If the cherries are big, you can cut them in half. 

Step 3. In a large bowl, mix the fresh pitted cherries, cherry pie filling, orange juice, and spices until combined. 

Step 4. Transfer the cherry mixture to a shallow baking dish or a pie plate.

Step 5. Roll out the pie dough, then place it over the top of the filling. Cut any extra dough, leaving an extra inch to roll up for the edge. Crimp the edges of the top crust.

Step 6. Place the baking pan on a sheet pan to catch any drips from the filling. Generously top the pandowdy crust with sugar, then place it in the oven. Don't skip this step! The sugar melts into the crust, adding extra flavor and crunchy texture.

Step 7. After about 30 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 the filling is hot. Bake for 25 minutes or until the crust is brown and the filling is bubbly.

This is what you get...a beautiful, browned, sweet Cherry Pandowdy.

Carefully remove the pandowdy from the oven; let it sit for half an hour to cool. Then, serve it warm.

The crust turned out beautiful, nicely browned and flaky, with the filling peeking through those cut squares. This makes a great fruit dessert.

Want to change up this pandowdy recipe?

Let's talk about all the possibilities

• You can change up the fruit or mix and match. Choose fruits that are in season or match your tastes. I like apple pan dowdy in the winter months.
• Frozen or canned fruits can be substituted as well.
• Add ½ teaspoon of almond extract or some lemon zest to the cherries.
• Instead of pie dough, you can use puff pastry.
• For the old-fashioned way, try baking your pandowdy in a cast iron skillet.
• You can actually make this dessert on a grill. I do this in the summer when it's too hot to bake inside.

Grilled cherry pandowdy

Yes, you can grill a dessert, and this Cherry Pandowdy was baked on my gas grill. I put the instructions in the recipe card.

More fruity desserts to make

• 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 dessert are these sweet Cherry Handpies that are perfect for cookouts. 
• Another vintage recipe that's a favorite is this Cherry Apricot Upside Down Cake.

Try these recipes next

Recipe

First published: Aug. 1, 2019, Last updated: March 26, 2024, for better readability.  

  

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