No need to make things complicated. Highlight the essence of seasonal fruit with this decadently bubbling Strawberry Cobbler.
To me, the seasons are best reflected in fruit. Strawberries and rhubarb in spring; peaches, melons, and cherries in summer; apples, pears, cranberries, and figs in fall; and zesty citrus in winter—I love them all. Nothing makes me happier than visiting our local Saturday morning farmers’ market to stock up on the season’s best. I keep a bowl of fruit on my counter, and it always disappears rather quickly!
Fresh fruit is the perfect snack, but it’s also great in desserts that showcase its beauty and essence—pies, crisps, and cobblers, for example. Cobbler, loved in America since the mid-19th century, consists of fruit topped with a dough similar to that for cake or biscuits. It’s baked until the topping is golden and the fruit is bubbling underneath.
Last weekend, I made a strawberry cobbler but decided to do things a little differently by placing the dough at the bottom of the dish rather than crowning the fruit. Interestingly, while leafing through the Dictionary of Americanisms (1859), I discovered that this method resembles the original cobbler. In it, author John Russell Bartlett describes cobbler as: “A sort of pie, baked in a pot lined with dough of great thickness, upon which the fruit is placed.” Later, cobblers were often made with dough on both the top and bottom, but the version with dough only on top became the classic.
When I bring this dessert to the table, it’s the glorious, bubbling strawberries that take the limelight, their sweet scent temptingly signaling we’re about to dig in to something really delicious. I can’t think of a more beautiful dessert to capture the essence of seasonal fruit than a cobbler. Serve it with ice cream or freshly whipped cream—and swoon!
Is Strawberry Cobbler Healthy?
No, it isn’t. While it does have strawberries, which are rich in vitamins and high in antioxidants, the dessert is made with sugar and butter, essential ingredients that shouldn’t really be substituted for the sake of creating a healthy version. This is dessert, and dessert doesn’t really need to be healthy. You can use coconut sugar, which has a slightly lower glycemic index, but bear in mind that it’s still a sugar.
You can easily make a vegan/dairy-free version by using a plant-based milk (preferably soy) and a vegan butter.
A Gourmet Cobbler
Although this cobbler is perfect in all its simplicity, there are many ways to elevate it into a true culinary showstopper. One of my favorite additions is chopped rhubarb, along with a fresh touch of citrus zest (lemon, lime, or orange all work beautifully). You can also macerate the strawberries with finely chopped mint or basil, a splash of balsamic vinegar, red wine, or even kirsch for a nuanced flavor boost.
Strawberries and almonds make a stellar pairing, so consider swapping the vanilla extract for almond extract and substituting half a cup of flour with almond flour. For extra texture, sprinkle slivered almonds over the batter before layering on the strawberries.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Both the batter and the strawberries can be prepped the night before and stored separately. Cover tightly with plastic, and assemble the dish the next day as directed. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Do not freeze, as the liquid released from the berries when thawed will render the dish mushy.
Serving Suggestions
Whipped cream or ice cream are classic pairings. As luck would have it, this ice cream recipe happens to have three ingredients strawberries love: mint, chocolate, and cottage cheese! Cold custard drizzled over the warm cobbler is also very delicious.
Looking for another recipe that highlights the beauty of seasonal strawberries? Try this vibrant Strawberry Pie. It’s pretty as a picture!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh strawberries hulled and quartered
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, combine strawberries and 1/2 cup sugar. Let sit for 15 minutes, until berries release their juices.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar.
- Add milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Spoon the strawberries and their juices over the batter.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until the berries are bubbling.
- Allow the cobbler to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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