Tart Cherry Orange Dumpling Bake

Quick Summary

A warm, fruit-forward dessert that’s big on flavor but light on fat. This Tart Cherry Orange Dumpling Bake combines Traverse Bay Farms Tart Cherry Filling, orange zest, and a tender biscuit-style topping for a comforting treat that’s perfect for any season.

Published: November 2010 | Updated: November 2025

Chef’s Note (Firsthand Experience)

This recipe came from one of our Traverse Bay Farms family taste tests. We wanted a lighter cherry dessert — one that still delivered rich flavor without the heavy butter or oil. The combination of Tart Cherry Filling, orange juice, and cinnamon instantly reminded us of Northern Michigan orchard kitchens in summer. Serve it warm with vanilla frozen yogurt or just a spoon — it’s that satisfying.

Prep & Yield

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Bake Time: 35 minutes

• Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Filling

• 2 (21-ounce) cans Cherry Filling & Topping

• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Dumpling Batter

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• ½ cup orange juice

Topping

• 1 tablespoon slivered almonds, coarsely chopped

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon grated orange peel

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In an ungreased 8×8-inch baking dish, combine tart cherry filling and almond extract.

3. In a medium bowl, mix flour, sugar, and baking powder. Add orange juice and stir just until moistened — don’t overmix.

4. Drop spoonfuls of batter evenly over the cherry mixture to form dumplings.

5. In a small bowl, combine almonds, sugar, orange peel, and cinnamon. Sprinkle topping over dumplings.

6. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until dumplings are golden brown and filling is bubbling.

7. Serve warm, optionally with whipped topping or frozen yogurt.

Chef’s Tips & Variations

• Add a splash (¼ teaspoon) of Traverse Bay Farms Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate to the filling for deeper color and flavor.

• Try substituting lemon juice for orange for a brighter citrus note.

• Top with crushed graham crackers before baking for extra crunch.

Nutritional Highlights (per serving)

Calories: 260 | Total Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 3g | Percent Calories from Fat: 3%

Behind the Recipe

At Traverse Bay Farms, we love showing how versatile our Tart Cherry Filling can be — it’s not just for pies! This light dumpling bake transforms everyday pantry ingredients into a fruit-packed dessert that captures the taste of Michigan cherries with a sunny citrus twist.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned filling?
Yes, but you’ll need to sweeten and thicken them first with cornstarch and sugar.

Can I make this ahead of time?
You can assemble it up to 4 hours before baking and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve.

Can this be made gluten-free?
Yes — use a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix instead of flour.

What can I serve this with?
It’s delicious with low-fat vanilla ice cream, yogurt, or a dollop of whipped topping.

Check out the Michigan Cherry Recipe Cookbook