01 -
Turn your oven on to 350°F (175°C) and grab an 8x8-inch baking dish or a 9-inch pie plate. Give it a light coating of butter or cooking spray so nothing sticks.
02 -
Toss your cherries in a bowl with the sugar and cornstarch. If you're using the lemon juice, add it now – it'll bring out the cherry flavor and balance the sweetness. Pour everything into your greased dish.
03 -
In another bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter cubes and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work it in until you get a nice crumbly mixture. If you're adding pecans, fold them in now.
04 -
Sprinkle your crumb topping evenly over the cherries, covering them completely. Don't press down – you want that lovely texture.
05 -
Slide your cobbler into the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. You'll know it's done when the top is golden brown and you can see the cherry filling bubbling around the edges.
06 -
Let the cobbler rest for about 15 minutes – this helps the filling thicken up. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if you're feeling fancy.