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Pear and Cherry Buckle

This easy slow cooker recipe creates a comforting pear and cherry buckle with minimal effort. Canned fruits are combined with yellow cake mix and topped with a maple oatmeal and almond crumble, then slowly cooked to a warm, dessert-like consistency. It's designed for convenience, resulting in a delightful fruit and cake combination best served warm with whipped topping.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 4406.2 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Slow Cooker 5-quart capacity recommended
  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Small Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Cooking Spray Butter-flavored preferred
  • 8 Paper Towels Essential for moisture control during cooking

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 26-ounce can cherry pie filling
  • 2 15-ounce cans diced pears in syrup
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 18.25-ounce box yellow cake mix
  • 1 stick butter cut into small pieces
  • 1 1.19-ounce packet maple and brown sugar instant oatmeal
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • Whipped topping for serving

Instructions
 

  • Spray a 5-quart slow cooker with butter-flavored cooking spray and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine pie filling, pears, and almond extract. Pour into prepared slow cooker. Sprinkle cake mix over fruit mixture. Dot with butter. In a small bowl, combine oatmeal packet and almonds. Sprinkle over cake mixture.
  • Place 8 paper towels over slow cooker bowl and secure with lid. (This helps to trap steam.) Cook on LOW setting for 4 to 6 hours. Do not lift lid to check cake for the first 3 hours.
  • Serve warm with whipped topping.

Notes

To elevate this simple buckle, consider using fresh or frozen cherries and pears instead of canned. If using fresh fruit, toss it with a tablespoon of cornstarch and a bit of sugar or maple syrup to create a luscious filling as it cooks. For the topping, lightly toast the sliced almonds before adding them to enhance their nutty flavor. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg alongside the oatmeal and almonds would also add depth. The paper towels under the lid are crucial; they absorb condensation, preventing the cake from becoming soggy. Resist the urge to peek during the initial cooking phase to maintain a consistent temperature, which is vital for proper baking in a slow cooker. Serve with high-quality vanilla bean ice cream for an extra indulgent experience.