Introduction & Inspiration: Warm, Fruity, and Comfortingly Simple
This Strawberry Cobbler is the epitome of summer comfort food! I love the combination of the sweet, juicy strawberries, the buttery, biscuit-like topping, and the warm, bubbly filling. It’s a perfect dessert.
The inspiration for this recipe comes from classic fruit cobblers. Which are known for their simplicity and their ability to showcase seasonal fruits. I wanted to create a recipe.
I’ve experimented with different ratios of ingredients and baking techniques. Until I found the perfect balance of sweetness, fruitiness, and texture. This recipe is a keeper.
This Strawberry Cobbler is perfect for weeknight desserts, potlucks, barbecues, or any time you’re craving a warm, comforting, and fruit-filled treat. It’s easy to make. And it’s always a hit.
Nostalgic Appeal (and the Joy of Simple Baking)
Fruit cobblers, with their warm, bubbly filling and golden-brown topping, evoke a sense of nostalgia and home-baked goodness. They remind me of summer picnics, family gatherings, and simple, comforting desserts. A taste of simpler times.
This Strawberry Cobbler captures that classic appeal. With its easy preparation, its fresh strawberry filling, and its buttery, biscuit-like topping. It’s a dessert that’s both familiar and satisfying.
There’s something inherently comforting about the combination of warm fruit and a tender, slightly sweet topping. It’s a flavor and texture combination that’s both simple and delightful.
It’s the kind of dessert that’s perfect for sharing with loved ones. Or for enjoying all to yourself with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A moment of pure comfort.
Homemade Focus (and the Beauty of Seasonal Fruit)
I’m a strong advocate for homemade desserts, and this Strawberry Cobbler is a perfect example of why. Making your own cobbler allows you to control the ingredients. The sweetness.
Store-bought versions of cobblers often lack the fresh flavor and the perfect texture of homemade. When you make it yourself, you can use fresh, ripe strawberries and high-quality ingredients.
This recipe is a testament to the fact that even seemingly simple desserts like cobblers are best made from scratch. It requires minimal effort and a few basic ingredients.
It’s a recipe that I encourage everyone to try, especially during strawberry season. It’s a great way to showcase the beauty of fresh, seasonal fruit. And to enjoy a dessert.
Flavor Goal
The flavor goal of this Strawberry Cobbler is to achieve a perfect balance of sweet and tart. With a juicy, intensely strawberry filling, a buttery, biscuit-like topping, and a hint of lemon.
The strawberries, halved and tossed with sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. They provide the star flavor of this cobbler. The cornstarch helps to thicken the juices released by the strawberries during baking.
The topping, made with self-rising flour, sugar, and milk, is poured over melted butter in the skillet. Creating a buttery, slightly sweet, and biscuit-like crust that complements the strawberries perfectly.
The combination of the warm, bubbly strawberry filling and the golden-brown topping is a match made in heaven. It’s a dessert that’s both comforting and refreshing.
Ingredient Insights
Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make this Strawberry Cobbler so delicious.
Salted butter, melted in the skillet, provides the base for the topping and adds a rich, buttery flavor.
Granulated sugar, divided, is used to sweeten both the strawberry filling and the topping.
Self-rising flour is a convenient all-in-one ingredient that contains flour, baking powder, and salt. It creates a light and fluffy topping.
Whole milk adds moisture to the topping.
Cornstarch helps to thicken the strawberry filling.
Strawberries, halved, are the star of the show. Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
Fresh lemon juice adds a touch of brightness and balances the sweetness of the strawberries.
Vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional), is the perfect accompaniment to warm strawberry cobbler.
Essential Equipment
You’ll need a few key pieces of equipment:
A 10-inch cast iron skillet. This is ideal for baking cobblers, as it provides even heat distribution and creates a beautiful, rustic presentation.
A large bowl and a medium bowl: for mixing.
A whisk.
A rubber spatula.
A foil-lined baking sheet: To catch any drips during baking.
That’s it! This recipe is very straightforward. The key is to have a 10-inch cast iron skillet.
List of Ingredients with Measurements
Here’s the complete list of ingredients, with precise measurements:
- 1 stick salted butter (½ cup)
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 2 lb. strawberries, halved (about 6 ½ cups)
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
These quantities are from the provided recipe.
Remember to use fresh, high-quality ingredients whenever possible, especially the strawberries and butter.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to bake a warm and delicious Strawberry Cobbler? Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide:
1. Preheat Oven and Melt Butter:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Add the stick of salted butter to a 10-inch cast iron skillet.
Place the skillet in the oven for 5 minutes, or until the butter is completely melted. Swirling the pan occasionally to coat the bottom and sides.
Remove the skillet from the oven and set aside.
2. Prepare the Batter and Strawberry Filling: Whisk together 1 cup of the granulated sugar with the self-rising flour and whole milk in a medium bowl.
Whisk together the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar and the cornstarch in another medium bowl.
Add the halved strawberries and fresh lemon juice to the cornstarch mixture.
Stir to combine, ensuring the strawberries are evenly coated.
3. Assemble the Cobbler:
Pour the batter into the melted butter in the cast iron skillet. Do not stir.
Spoon the strawberry mixture and any juices left in the bowl evenly over the batter. Do not stir.
4. Bake:
Place the skillet on a foil-lined baking sheet (to catch any drips).
Bake on the middle oven rack until golden brown and bubbly, 60 to 75 minutes.
5. Cool and Serve: Let the cobbler cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if desired. Enjoy your delicious, homemade Strawberry Cobbler!
Troubleshooting
Here are some potential problems and solutions:
Problem: The topping is too dry.
Solution: Make sure you’re using enough milk in the batter. Also, make sure you’re not overbaking the cobbler.
Problem: The filling is too runny.
Solution: Make sure you’re using enough cornstarch to thicken the strawberry juices. You can also add a bit more cornstarch, a teaspoon at a time, if needed.
Problem: The cobbler is sticking to the skillet.
Solution: Make sure the butter is completely melted and that it coats the bottom and sides of the skillet before adding the batter.
Problem: Strawberries are not sweet enough. Solution: Add more sugar, or choose sweeter berries.
Tips and Variations
Here are a few tips to enhance your cobbler:
Tip: For an even richer flavor, use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar in the topping.
Tip: If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can make your own by combining 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
Tip: To make individual cobblers, divide the batter and strawberry mixture among ramekins or small oven-safe dishes and bake for a shorter amount of time.
Variation: Use different types of berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries, instead of strawberries, or use a combination of berries.
Variation: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract to the batter for extra flavor.
Variation: Sprinkle the top of the cobbler with chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, before baking.
Variation: Add a layer of streusel topping to the cobbler before baking.
Variation: Use different types of fruit.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Here are some ideas on how to serve your dessert:
Serving Suggestions:
Serve the cobbler warm, straight from the oven or after it has cooled slightly.
Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a dollop of crème fraîche.
Serve it as a dessert for a summer barbecue, a potluck, a picnic, or any casual gathering.
It’s also perfect for a weeknight treat.
Pairing Suggestions:
This cobbler pairs well with a variety of beverages.
A cup of coffee or tea.
A glass of milk.
A glass of sweet tea.
A scoop of ice cream.
It’s also delicious all on its own!
Nutritional Information
Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving (assuming 8 servings):
- Calories: Approximately 350-450
- Protein: 4-5 grams
- Fat: 15-20 grams (mostly from the butter)
- Carbohydrates: 50-60 grams
- Fiber: 2-3 grams
This is just an estimate. This Strawberry Cobbler is a relatively rich dessert, due to the butter and sugar.
It does provide some vitamins and fiber from the strawberries. It’s best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
You can modify the recipe to reduce calories.
Print
Strawberry Cobbler
Description
This Strawberry Cobbler is the epitome of summer comfort food! I love the combination of the sweet, juicy strawberries, the buttery, biscuit-like topping, and the warm, bubbly filling. It’s a perfect dessert
Ingredients
- 1 stick salted butter (½ cup)
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 2 lb. strawberries, halved (about 6 ½ cups)
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven and Melt Butter:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Add the stick of salted butter to a 10-inch cast iron skillet.
Place the skillet in the oven for 5 minutes, or until the butter is completely melted. Swirling the pan occasionally to coat the bottom and sides.
Remove the skillet from the oven and set aside.
2. Prepare the Batter and Strawberry Filling: Whisk together 1 cup of the granulated sugar with the self-rising flour and whole milk in a medium bowl.
Whisk together the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar and the cornstarch in another medium bowl.
Add the halved strawberries and fresh lemon juice to the cornstarch mixture.
Stir to combine, ensuring the strawberries are evenly coated.
3. Assemble the Cobbler:
Pour the batter into the melted butter in the cast iron skillet. Do not stir.
Spoon the strawberry mixture and any juices left in the bowl evenly over the batter. Do not stir.
4. Bake:
Place the skillet on a foil-lined baking sheet (to catch any drips).
Bake on the middle oven rack until golden brown and bubbly, 60 to 75 minutes.
5. Cool and Serve: Let the cobbler cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if desired. Enjoy your delicious, homemade Strawberry Cobbler!
Recipe Summary and Q&A
Let’s recap this delightful Strawberry Cobbler baking experience!
Summary: This Strawberry Cobbler is a simple and delicious dessert featuring a juicy, sweet strawberry filling and a buttery, biscuit-like topping. It’s perfect for showcasing fresh, seasonal strawberries and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Q&A:
Q: Can I make this cobbler ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make this cobbler a few hours ahead of time and store it, covered, at room temperature. You can also reheat it in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Q: Can I freeze this cobbler?
A: Yes, you can freeze this cobbler. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat before serving.
Q: I don’t have a cast iron skillet. Can I use a different baking dish?
A: Yes, you can use a 9×13 inch baking dish instead of a cast iron skillet. The baking time may be slightly different.
Q: Can I use frozen strawberries? A: Yes, you can, however, you may need more cornstarch.
Q: Can I use all-purpose flour? A: Yes, but remember to add baking powder and salt.