Blackberry and Apple Cobbler

Cobblers have been a staple in Northern American and British baking traditions for hundreds of years. These sweet preparations date back to the British occupation in the American colonies. Sweet and fruity, cobblers are very easy to make and can take on many flavors and variations, though the essential cobbler is a fruit filling covered with a thick batter. Berries, apples, pears, peaches, rhubarb, pumpkin, or a combination of two or more fruits make delicious and easy desserts. Our blackberry and apple cobbler has the best of the tangy berries and apples, with a sweet touch that is not overpowering, making it a great dessert to finish up a hearty meal. Serve it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, or go with a sweet-and-savory option by serving it with a cheese platter of bold and strong cheeses like Stilton, Gorgonzola, Brie, and Camembert.

If it's berry season and you have too many blackberries that are perhaps too soft to eat fresh, this is a great recipe to put them to good use and not let them go to waste. As for the apples, use anything you have at hand, from the famously tangy Granny Smith to sweeter but firm Fuji or Envy. Mutsu, Honeycrisp, or Jonagold are also great, but anything you can find will make a great cobbler. Leaving the peel in is up to you, but if using nonorganic apples it might be a better idea to remove the peel. If it's not berry season or the berries you can find are too tangy, use frozen fruit, which is also a great budget-friendly swap. If using frozen fruit, mix with the apples without thawing—can't get easier than that.

Although cobblers are famous as desserts, their premise of assembly can be used for savory dishes, too. If this is something you'd like to experiment with, first choose the filling, such as mushrooms, hardboiled eggs, sausage, greens, ham, chicken, ground beef, or a mixture with veggies and protein. Be sure to slightly cook the veggies before adding the batter on top, so they release their moisture and won't make a runny cobbler. Then make your batter following our measurements but skipping the sugar and adding salt and pepper to taste. It's very simple to make a savory cobbler, and once you've made the apple blackberry one you'll know what to expect. Don't miss out on this delicious dish, and plan ahead, because it's best eaten after it has cooled down and set for a little.