Black Forest Cobbler

1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
7 cups pitted red tart cherries, (about 2 pounds)
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 cup milk
Cream or ice cream, if desired

Heat oven to 400°. Mix 1/2 cup sugar and the cornstarch in 2-quart saucepan. Stir in cherries. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in almond extract. Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole; keep hot in oven.

Mix flour, cocoa, 1 tablespoon sugar, the baking powder and salt in small bowl. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in milk.

Drop dough by 6 spoonfuls onto hot fruit mixture. Bake uncovered 25 to 30 minutes or until topping is set. Serve warm with cream. Makes 6 servings