Luscious Strawberry Delight: A Quick Fresh Strawberry Cobbler

Discover the simplicity and deliciousness of a fruit-centered dessert with our Fresh Strawberry Cobbler. This perfect summertime treat can be effortlessly assembled in minutes, showcasing the vibrant sweetness of fresh strawberries. The best part? Your guests will think it required more effort than it actually did!

The All-Star Ingredients of Fresh Strawberry Cobbler

When crafting this strawberry cobbler, a cast-iron skillet is my preferred choice, although a greased 9×13-inch baking dish works well too. Let’s delve into the pan choice a bit later on.

1. Strawberries: Opt for fresh strawberries to bring out the best in this dessert. We’ll guide you on how to prepare them and why fresh is the ideal choice.
2. Sugar: While this dessert is naturally sweet, I found that reducing the sugar amount still yields a deliciously sweet result. Feel free to substitute brown sugar for granulated sugar.
3. Turbinado Sugar: Offering a flavor between granulated and light brown sugar, turbinado sugar adds a delightful butterscotch note. If unavailable, you can use granulated sugar for the topping.

Preparing the Star Ingredient: Strawberries

Ensure your strawberries are thoroughly washed and gently pat them dry. To hull the strawberries, insert a sharp knife at an angle and rotate the strawberry until the stem pulls out. I prefer halving the strawberries or leaving them whole to maintain their juicy flavor and prevent the dessert from becoming too liquidy.

The Cast-Iron Advantage: Why Bake in a Skillet?

Baking this strawberry cobbler in a cast-iron skillet offers a noticeable difference. The skillet provides even heating and imparts a delightful crispy crust to the dessert. However, if a baking dish is what you have, it works just fine.

Fresh vs. Frozen Strawberries

Emphasizing the importance of using fresh, whole strawberries or halved strawberries for optimal results. Frozen or diced strawberries release too much liquid, resulting in a less-than-ideal texture.

Storage Tips for Strawberry Cobbler

Left out at room temperature the day it’s baked, this cobbler should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days thereafter.

Ingredients for Culinary Bliss:

Batter

• ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup whole milk

Strawberry Mixture

• 2 pounds fresh strawberries, washed, dried, hulled, and halved
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Sugar Topping

• 1 ½ tablespoons turbinado sugar

Crafting Culinary Magic: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and spray a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray. (A 9×13-inch baking dish works too.)
2. Batter: In a medium bowl, combine sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and milk. Slowly whisk in the melted butter. Pour the batter into the skillet.
3. Strawberry Mixture: In another bowl, toss strawberries with sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Add the strawberry mixture evenly over the batter.
4. Bake for 45 minutes. (Place a foil-lined baking sheet on the bottom of the oven to catch any drips.)
5. Sugar Topping: After 45 minutes, sprinkle turbinado sugar over the top and return to the oven; bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Serve topped with ice cream or whipped topping.