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Berry Cobbler with Brown Butter and Basil

This blackberry, blueberry, basil  and brown butter cobbler is simply divine!

Berry Cobbler with Brown Butter

(This is an updated post from 2014.)

Simple, quick, and easy to make is one way to describe this blackberry, blueberry, basil and brown butter,  berry cobbler recipe.

Another way to describe this cobbler is blissful. This cobbler, full of flavor from basil and brown butter, certainly brought joy to our neck of the woods!

Most cobblers are straight and to the point, with a layer of fruit on the bottom and a cobbled floury top. Other cobblers have a top and bottom crust.

Did you know that the word cobbler is possibly derived from the archaic word “wooden bowl”. 

I always thought it was the cobbled top that gave it its name.

Cobbler Batter with Berries on Top

One look at the ingredients and one realizes this is not your average Joe cobbler. Not that there is anything wrong with average Joe, but in this house it was time for change.

Change began the morning that I stepped into Trader Joe’s (OK, I admit I am becoming a fan) to discover basil plants for $2.99. BIG basil plants. Cheaper than any nursery I’ve ever bought them from.

So cheap that I’m going back to buy another. And so big that I had plenty of basil leaves to harvest from the get go. 

Berry Cobbler in Pan and 1 Slice of Cobbler

 Alex arrived home briefly to deposit some of his belongings and Manservant was arriving the next day, so I thought I better cook/bake something to show them I still could. Bake, that is.

After all, I’ve been living on leftovers since Zoe left and haven’t even stepped foot in the grocery. As I put the basil plant into my basket, I added blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.

Racing home with my purchases, I decided I best not let them go to waste and baking was on my mind.

Berry Cobbler

No sooner did I get started then Alex said he was heading back up to Vail  in just a few hours.  Are you kidding me?

Well, luckily this cobbler did not go to waste. No sooner had he said that, then I got a call from a friend inviting me to dinner. How nice and how good that I could provide dessert!

Knowing this friend did not like raspberries, I did not incorporate them, but one could if one so desired.

Actually I kind of like the whole “B” thing. Blueberries, blackberries, basil and browned butter. It works, does it not?

And blissful. This cobbler is blissful!

Berry Cobbler in Green Dish

As I mixed up the fruit, I realized that it would also make a perfect fruit salad. Just scoop the fresh fruit over some frozen yogurt.

However if you choose to go the distance, this berry cobbler crust becomes chewy and slightly crunchy with rich buttery goodness.

The basil adds a subtle, but flirtatious taste to the fruit, and keeps one guessing as to the secret ingredient.

This easy cobbler is perfect with ice cream or whipped cream and would be perfect for dad on his day. Manservant certainly appreciated it on his arrival home!

Berry Cobbler

Summer fruit desserts just make me happy. This berry, basil and brown butter cobbler is a great way to make anyone happy. I hope it works for you!

One note: I used lemon in this. To be truthful here, I am not a giant fan of lemon in desserts. Weird, I know!

In this cobbler, the lemon was noticeable when it came out of the oven, however it seemed to become more lemony in the days after, as it was slowly scooped spoonful by spoonful into someone’s mouth.

No, I admit, it wasn’t mine. It became too lemony for me to really enjoy. So proceed with caution if you aren’t a lemon lover.

Lemon lovers…use all I say. And it you expect this to be gone in one day, by all means use it. If you plan on this lasting a few days and you are like me, you may want to cut the lemon by half.

Or leave it out. Or use lime. Or orange juice.  Or milk. This will be delicious every which way!   

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Berry Cobbler in Green Dish

Blackberry, Blueberry, Basil and Brown Butter Cobbler

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Abbe Odenwalder
  • Prep Time: 20 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 Minutes
  • Total Time: 65 Minutes
  • Yield: 6 - 10 Servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This berry cobbler with brown butter is so tasty and easy to make. The family will love it!


Ingredients

Filling:


6 oz blackberries, rinsed


11 oz blueberries, rinsed


6 T sugar


2 T Jack Daniels or bourbon


Zest and juice of 1/2 of lemon


1/4 c fresh basil, chopped

Batter:


1 stick unsalted butter


1 1/4 c unbleached all purpose flour


3/4 c white sugar


3/4 c brown sugar


1/2 t baking powder


1/2 t baking soda


Pinch of salt


1 c buttermilk


Zest and juice of 1/2 a lemon

Ice cream or whipped cream optional


Instructions

Preheat oven to 350.
Mix all filling ingredients together in a large bowl. Reserve.
Melt butter in a flameproof 9 x 13 or 11 x 7 baking dish. Place the dish directly on burner over medium heat, stirring frequently, until butter is melted and deliciously brown. Your kitchen will smell heavenly, but don’t burn it. Remove from heat.
Stir flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a bowl. Mix in the buttermilk and lemon zest and juice and pour the batter over the butter in baking dish. Don’t worry if the butter shows through in spots. Spoon the fruit over the batter.
Bake for about 45 minutes, until the crust has oozed up through the fruit and is golden brown and lightly raised. Serve warm, if possible!

Notes

1 13×9 pan or 1 11×7 pan. I used the smaller baking dish because I like a nice thick fruit and crust layer.

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Nancy

Sunday 5th of July 2020

WOW! Lots of basil in my garden so had to try this one for the 4th. Delicious! Thanks, Abbe!

Abbe

Monday 13th of July 2020

Thanks Nance! Maybe one year we can celebrate together!

Linger

Thursday 2nd of July 2020

Oh my goodness, Abbe! This cobbler is so lovely. I am like you, I fully appreciate a summer dessert and this one definitely tops the list. I really love the taste of lemon in desserts so I'm sure I would really enjoy this especially as it sits for a day or two. And what a interesting idea to add basil. I find that very intriguing. I must try it now. Thanks for sharing.

2sistersrecipes

Thursday 2nd of July 2020

We love a great cobbler and yours looks delish! Thanks for the recipe!

Abbe

Monday 13th of July 2020

Thanks girls! It is highly recommended!

David @ Spiced

Thursday 2nd of July 2020

What a fun cobbler idea, Abbe! I've only dabbled in using basil in desserts, but I've been pleased in the past. (Usually it's basil + lemon, though.) And the bit of bourbon in this filling? Awesome idea! I'm actually making a peach cobbler today, and I might just have to add a splash of bourbon. Peach Bourbon Cobbler? Sounds pretty yummy, right? Thanks for the inspiration!

Abbe

Monday 13th of July 2020

Bourbon and peaches go together so well. Total yum, David!

Healthy World Cuisine

Thursday 2nd of July 2020

Fantastic cobbler! It has all going on from the delicious berries and basil to that brown butter topping. So good. That is so odd that the lemon flavor intensified as the days went on. We are huge lemon fans so this is A- ok with us.