A cobbler is a classic American dessert that is made of a very simple quick batter and dotted with fruit.  Perhaps pineapple is not what you most associate with cobbler, it may be overshadowed by the peach or even the apple, but really just about any sliceable fruit or berry can be turned into a cobbler… This version is my husband’s absolute favorite as I have been making it for him for years.

This specific little dish of sweetness was made for him to top a special little dinner we had about a month ago to celebrate our engage-aversary.  The dinner was made up of Shrimp Mozambique over white rice, a glass of wine and finished off with the cobbler.

This time of year we have robust peaches, pears and apples in this part of the country. Earlier in the year we have berries of all kinds.  But, what we have year round is canned and frozen fruit and either will work nicely here.  You may say, why on earth use canned fruit when there is so much fresh fruit available right now?  Well, for one, like I said it is my husband’s favorite.  For two it’s what I had on hand, I didn’t happen to have a fresh pineapple hanging around.  And for three, if unless using a berry, that whatever fruit you use is prepared at least to an “al dente” or slightly softened stage before adding in.  That is an additional step I didn’t have time for on this particular fine evening. Pineapple chunks it is! But, the batter is the same no matter the fruit! So get creative with it!

Before you start with your dry ingredients, melt one stick of butter. Set aside.

To a medium bowl, add in flour.

Add in kosher salt.

Add in sugar… Now you can use the traditional 1 cup of sugar here which matches up with the flour measurement, but if you like things a little less sweet, take it down to 3/4 cup. You should gauge that by how sweet your fruit is as well.

Add in Baking Powder.

Combine all your dry ingredients. No need to sift, just use your wisk.

Once your dry ingredients are properly combined, add in milk. I like to use whole milk when baking, but it really doesn’t matter too much here as long as its not skim.

Add in vanilla. Be sure to use a good quality pure vanilla extract. There are so few ingredients that it really makes a difference. A vanilla bean would be extra special here too!

Once the vanilla is added in, mix all the wet with the dry until combined.

Slowly wisk in the melted butter.

Be sure it all gets fully incorporated.

And there you have it. This is your basic cobbler batter. To this you can go crazy with possibilities!

Spray a 9″x13″ dish with cooking spray.

It will look like you don’t have enough batter to fill the whole pan. But, for a cobbler, you want a thin layer, this will puff up.

Spread all the way to the edges.

Now you can add in your fruit.

Bake for 25-30 mins. See how it puffs right up over the fruit… that is yummy deliciousness right there!

Top with either some homemade whipped cream or take a little short cut like I did and use your favorite canned stuff.

Recipe for Pineapple Cobbler:

(serves 4-6)

1 cup flour

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup sugar (up to one cup for not sweet fruit)

1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 stick butter or margarine, melted

1 20 oz. can pineapple chunks, drained (or desired fruit)

cooking spray

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375°F. (Oven must be properly heated, do not skip this step)

In a medium size mixing bowl combine flour, salt, sugar and baking powder.  Wisk together.  Add in milk and vanilla.  Wisk together.  Add in melted butter.  Wisk together slowly to combine. Once the batter is smooth pour into a 9″x13″ baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Spread batter into a thin layer all the way to the edges.  Bake for 25-30 mins until golden.

Cool and serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Enjoy!