Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large bowl, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, water, lemon juice, and vanilla extract for a filling. Toss until the cherries are evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt for the topping.
Add the non-dairy milk, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined but don't over mix. The batter will be thick.
Drop spoonfuls of the batter onto the cherry mixture, spreading it out evenly. Leave some gaps for the filling to peek through.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 - 45 minutes or until the topping is cooked through and the cherries are bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Serve warm with a scoop of vegan ice cream or a dollop of coconut whipped cream, if desired.