Build Your Favorite Cobbler

Building a Cobbler

Build a cobbler from the bottom up. There are two basic formulas to follow: one for berries and stone fruits (fruits with a center pit, like peaches, apricots, plums, nectarines, and cherries); and one for apples or pears. Follow either recipe and use the fruit of your choice; stir all ingredients together in 9x9 baking dish and set aside to make topping.

Formula for Berries and Stone Fruits

5 ½ cups berries or pitted stone fruits
¼ cup sugar
2 Tbsp quick tapioca
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp almond extract

Formula for Apples and Pears

5 cups peeled, cored, sliced apples or pears
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla
1 Tbsp quick tapioca
1 Tbsp flour

After you have made your filling, you can put two kinds of toppings over it: a crisp and lacy one with oats and a touch of cinnamon; or a tender biscuit topping sweetened with brown sugar. Mix and match either topping will work over either fruit mixture. Mix the ingredients in a bowl with a fork, crumble the oat topping and drop the biscuit topping evenly over the fruit base.

Oat Topping

½ cup flour
½ cup oats
½ cup sugar
¼ cup chopped nuts
¼ cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
dash nutmeg

Biscuit Topping

1 cup flour
½ cup milk
1/3 cup oats
¼ cup butter
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
dash nutmeg

Bake cobbler at 375 degrees F. for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown