Name: Slow-Cooker Cherry Grunt
Total time: PLACEHOLDER
Ingredients: 2 1/4 pounds (1021 grams) frozen sweet cherries , thawed; 2 cups (10 ounces/283 grams) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (7 ounces/198 grams) plus 3 tablespoons sugar; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted and cooled

Why This Recipe Works

A grunt is an old-fashioned summer fruit dessert topped with sweet, tender dumplings. The fruit in this dessert is traditionally simmered in a pot, and the dumplings are dropped on top and steamed until fluffy and light. Using frozen cherries makes this rustic dessert an option even in the dead of winter, and it cuts down on prep time. For a filling that was thick and jammy, we microwaved the cherries with some of the flour (along with sugar and other flavorings) so the released juice would be absorbed by the flour, then moved the mixture to the slow cooker. Positioning the dumplings around the perimeter of the slow cooker—where it's hottest—guaranteed that they were completely cooked through by the time the filling was done. A sprinkling of cinnamon sugar added flavor and a slight crunch to our dumplings.

Before You Begin

You will need an oval slow cooker for this recipe.

Cooking time: 3 to 4 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high

Slow cooker size: 5 to 7 quarts

Instructions

Combine cherries, ¼ cup flour, 1 cup sugar, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and almond extract in bowl. Microwave until cherries begin to release their liquid, about 5 minutes, stirring halfway through microwaving. Stir cherry mixture well, transfer to slow cooker, and spread into even layer.

In large bowl, combine remaining 1¾ cups flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk and melted butter until just combined; do not overmix. In small bowl, combine remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and remaining ¼ teaspoon cinnamon.

Using greased ¼ cup measure, drop 8 dumplings around perimeter of slow cooker on top of cherries, leaving center empty. Sprinkle dumplings with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Cover and cook until toothpick inserted in center of dumplings comes out clean, 3 to 4 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high. Turn off slow cooker and let grunt cool for 20 minutes before serving.