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Southern Fruit Cobbler

Southern Fruit Cobbler

This Southern Fruit Cobbler recipe is a simple and versatile dessert that is perfect for any occasion. The recipe is designed to be quick, with a prep time of just 15 minutes and a total time of about an hour. It features a unique technique where butter is melted in the baking dish first, and the batter is poured over it before adding the fruit, which creates a rich, cake-like topping that bakes up and around the fruit filling.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Fruit Filling:
  • 6 cups mixed fruit fresh or frozen (berries, peaches, or apples work perfectly)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar adjust based on fruit sweetness
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch or all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • For the Cobbler Topping:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk for extra tang
  • ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract optional, but recommended

Method
 

  1. Prepare Oven and Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the ½ cup of butter in a 9x13-inch baking dish and put the dish in the oven to allow the butter to melt completely while it preheats.
  2. Mix the Fruit: In a large bowl, gently combine the fruit, ¾ cup sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and cinnamon. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes for the flavors to meld.
  3. Create the Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the milk and optional almond extract until just combined. A few lumps are okay – do not overmix!
  4. Assemble the Cobbler: Carefully remove the hot baking dish with the melted butter from the oven. Pour the batter evenly over the melted butter. Do not stir. Spoon the fruit mixture evenly over the top of the batter.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling around the edges.
  6. Cool and Serve: Let the cobbler cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the fruit juices to thicken slightly.

Notes

Notes & Tips
Substitution Options:
Sugar: Replace half the granulated sugar with brown sugar for a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Richness: For an even richer topping, swap the whole milk for heavy cream.
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Frozen Fruit: No need to thaw! Just add about 5 extra minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition
Calories: 285kcal
Carbohydrates: 52g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 8g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 38g
Sodium: 195mg
(Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients used.)