This recipe is for an Easy Mixed Berry Cobbler, a comforting and rustic dessert featuring a medley of sweet and tart berries baked under a simple, golden-brown biscuit topping. Cobblers are characterized by a fruit filling, typically made with fresh or frozen fruit that is sweetened and sometimes thickened with a little flour or cornstarch, topped with a batter, biscuit dough, or crumble. This version utilizes an easy-to-prepare biscuit topping that bakes up light and slightly crumbly, providing a delightful contrast to the warm, juicy berries. The mixed berry filling often includes a combination of blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and sometimes strawberries, creating a complex and vibrant flavor profile. A touch of lemon juice can brighten the berries, and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can add warmth. The biscuit topping is usually made with flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cold butter (which creates flaky layers), and milk or buttermilk to bind the dough. For an extra touch of flavor and a golden crust, the tops of the biscuits are often brushed with melted butter or sprinkled with sugar before baking. This Easy Mixed Berry Cobbler is a perfect dessert for any occasion, especially when you want something comforting and not overly fussy. It’s delicious served warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The simplicity of the recipe makes it a go-to for using seasonal berries or frozen fruit, ensuring a flavorful and satisfying treat year-round. The image shows a rectangular glass baking dish filled with a bubbling, dark purple berry filling. The top is covered with golden-brown biscuit-like pieces that appear slightly crisp and are sprinkled with sugar. The dessert looks warm and inviting, consistent with a freshly baked fruit cobbler.
The texture of Easy Mixed Berry Cobbler features a warm, soft, and juicy fruit filling with a slightly thickened sauce, topped by a light, tender, and often slightly crumbly biscuit crust that may have a hint of crispness on the edges.
The flavor profile is a delightful balance of sweet and tart from the mixed berries, often enhanced by a touch of lemon and warm spices. The biscuit topping provides a mild, slightly sweet, and buttery counterpoint to the fruit.
Easy Mixed Berry Cobbler is a comforting and straightforward dessert that showcases the deliciousness of mixed berries baked under a simple biscuit topping.
The preparation involves making a sweetened berry filling, preparing a simple biscuit dough, topping the berries with the dough, and then baking until the topping is golden and the berries are bubbly.
Ingredients:
For the Berry Filling:
- 6 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust to the sweetness of your berries)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch (for thickening)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)
For the Biscuit Topping:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (some for the dough, some for sprinkling)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- ½ cup milk or buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
Equipment:
- 9×13 inch baking dish or similar size
- Large mixing bowl (for berries)
- Medium mixing bowl (for biscuit topping)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Pastry blender or your fingertips
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- Small bowl (for melted butter)
- Pastry brush
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a similar oven-safe dish.
- Prepare the Berry Filling: In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the mixed berries with the granulated sugar, flour or cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon (if using), and nutmeg (if using). Ensure the berries are evenly coated with the sugar and thickener.
- Transfer Filling to Baking Dish: Pour the prepared berry mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Prepare the Biscuit Topping: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ¾ cup of granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the Butter: Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. These pieces of butter will create flaky layers in the biscuits.
- Add the Liquid: Gradually add the milk or buttermilk to the flour-butter mixture, stirring with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be slightly shaggy.
- Assemble the Cobbler: Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough evenly over the top of the berry filling. You can arrange them in a somewhat overlapping pattern or leave some gaps for the berries to bubble through.
- Brush with Butter and Sprinkle with Sugar: Brush the tops of the biscuit dough with the melted butter. Sprinkle the remaining granulated sugar evenly over the biscuit topping. This will help the biscuits turn golden brown and add a touch of sweetness and a slight crust.
- Bake the Cobbler: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the biscuit topping is golden brown and the berry filling is bubbling around the edges and in any gaps between the biscuits. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven and the depth of the dish.
- Cool Slightly and Serve: Let the cobbler cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken slightly and prevents burning your mouth. Serve warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of cream.
Enjoy this easy and delicious Mixed Berry Cobbler with its warm, fruity filling and comforting biscuit topping! It’s a perfect way to enjoy the bounty of summer berries or to use frozen berries for a taste of sunshine any time of year.