As I was saying last week, the calendar may say "spring" but if you look around your local market it seems that the fruits and vegetables haven't gotten the memo. That said, there are ways to satisfy that need for spring flavors despite their MIA status. Whip up a batch of my "Green Goddess Dressing" - or make this cobbler. Now, it will never win any beauty pageants but what it lacks in looks it more than makes up for in taste and ease. This is one of those recipes that everyone should have in their collection - its delicious, dead easy to make and (here is the best part) you can pretty much make it at the drop of the hat with a few pantry/freezer basics - perfect for those days when you need/want an easy dessert and don't want to make one more trip to the grocery store. Have I sold you yet? Good! So, I'll let you in on the "big" secret of this dessert.
Frozen fruit.
That's right, frozen bags of fruit are the secret of this dessert and are a must for any well stocked freezer. Perfect for smoothies, dessert sauces and of course this cobbler they definitely deserve a spot in your freezer. I used a bag of frozen blueberries, a bag of frozen strawberries and a bag of frozen mixed berries - but it's equally good with frozen peaches or even fresh apples or pears.
Here are another cobbler recipes you might enjoy!
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Berry Cobbler The topping is really a shortcake - and you could make this dessert that way by dropping the batter on a parchment lined cookie sheet and baking as directed - but really, why bother? This is easier and tastes just as good!
Adapted from Bon Appetit (Serves 8)
- Filling:
- 3 - 16 oz. bags frozen berries
- 6 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 Tbsp. tapioca
- 1 Tbsp. chambord (optional)
- Topping:
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- 4 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 ½ tsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
- 2 Tbsp. coarse sugar (optional)
Directions:
- Pre heat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Grease a 9 x13 inch casserole or 8 individual ½ cup ramekins. Combine all the berries, sugar, tapioca and Chambord. Stir and tansfer to casserole dish or ramekins, filling ramekins to within ¼ inch of the top.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, sugar salt and cinnamon. In a measuring cup, add the egg to the whipping cream and stir until egg is mixed in. Add vanilla. Stir wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir until thoroughly combined. Drop batter on top of berries in 8 mounds, spacing them equally apart.
- Brush tops of batter with melted butter and dust with coarse sugar if using.
- If using ramekins, place on a parchment lined sheetpan. Place cobbler(s) in the oven and bake for 35 - 45 minutes or until filling is bubbling and tops of cobbler are golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.
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Cookin' Canuck says
"Won't win any beauty contests"? I think it is gorgeous. Perfect way to kick-off spring.
Nancy says
Aw, thanks Dara!
I filled these a littel too full!!!
Priscilla - She's Cookin' says
I agree! Any cobbler worth its salt (or sugar) is so juicy that it oozes over the edge for that come hither look 😉 I'm totally sold!
Nancy says
Yeah, I filled these a little too full, but I liked the drips - this is great when it warm and served in a bowl with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!
paul jennette says
Wow Nancy!! Perfect picture, really nice. I always seem to keep frozen fruit in the house, I love smoothies. I might have to make one trip to the store for this one, but your right most of it is already on-hand!! Thanks- Paulie
Nancy says
Thanks Paul!
Still working on my photography but glad to know I am making progress! I always seem to everything for this in the kitchen so I am always prepared - must have been that scout training!
Barbara | VinoLuciStyle says
I'm with Dara...I think it's pageant worthy AND I have some frozen berries too. Sometimes I wonder why I buy them; maybe this is the reason? 🙂
Nancy says
I always have frozen berries in the freezer for smoothies and for sauces (make them for pancakes and for cake!) and of course, for this cobbler!
Magic of Spice says
I think it's gorgeous! And most certainly delicious 🙂
Nancy says
Thanks!!! Definitely easy and a great payoff for the effort!
Mary Ann says
Mouth watering, as usual. I will print this to take to Mammoth. But may make it this weekend as my mom is visiting at she loves cobbler. Thanks, Nancy.
Nancy says
This would be great for Mammoth - easy, warming and really good with a scoop of good vanilla ice cream!
Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite says
Oh I love that this uses frozen berries - I always have some in the freezer now that I have been able to source some that are Canadian so this is a great recipe to have on hand 🙂 I'm happy to eat a cobbler even though it's supposed to be spring but they are calling for snow 🙁
Nancy says
Hi mardi!!
Hopefully you'll be getting fresh berries soon - but hopefully this will tide you over!!
Kimmie says
These are absolutely gorgeous. Baked berry desserts are a personal favorite, yet somehow rarely end up in my baking adventures. I'm inspired to give these a go. Thanks for sharing!
Nancy says
Hi Kimmie!!
Hope you enjoy these - they are so simple to make and really do hit the spot when you are craving a warm and fruity dessert!
Mary @ Delightful Bitefuls says
This.is.fabulous. Everything about this... LOVE!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Nancy says
Hi Mary!!
Thanks! It really is an easy and tasty dessert - a great recipe to have on hand for those last minute dessert needs!
Kate says
I am cobbler, crumble and crisp mad - any time, any fruit !
Nancy says
You and me both Kate! My family is more of a cookies, cake and ice cream crowd but me - give me a cobbler, crumble, crisp or pie and I am a happy girl!
Damaris @Kitchen Corners says
I can not wait for blackberries to come out and treat us with their wonderful taste.
Erin @ Cake Makes Sense says
I just made a cobbler a few days ago, and this is making me want to make another! This looks delicious. Plus, what is better than fruity goodness running down the side of a ramekin?
Nancy says
I agree!!! Although my family would not... they don't think "fruit" and "dessert" belong in the same sentence!