Strawberry Cobbler

Nothing says summer quite like a warm, bubbling strawberry cobbler fresh out of the oven. This easy-to-make dessert is the perfect way to show off those ripe, juicy strawberries at the peak of their season. 

The batter comes together in just a few minutes, and the strawberries basically just need a quick toss with sugar before they're ready to go. Plus, the ingredients are all pantry and fridge staples, so you can whip up this dessert any time without making a special trip to the store.

I love making this strawberry cobbler because it's the perfect balance of sweet and tart. The juices from the strawberries bubble up and caramelize around the edges of the pan, creating a sticky, syrupy sauce that's just begging to be spooned over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The topping and crust is perfectly buttery and gets crisp around the edges, providing the perfect contrast for the juicy strawberry filling. 

One thing I love about this strawberry cobbler recipe is that you aren’t tied to using strawberries! You can easily swap in other seasonal fruits like peaches, blackberries, or even a mix of berries for a colorful twist.

I love to serve this delicious cobbler is straight from the oven, with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream on top. It's the perfect ending to a summer barbecue or a cozy family dinner, and it always disappears in a flash.

Ingredient Notes

See the printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

• Butter: Melted butter in the bottom of the baking dish helps create a rich, golden crust.
• Flour: All-purpose flour forms the base of the cake-like topping and crust.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cobbler topping rise through the berries and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens both the strawberry filling and the cobbler topping.
• Milk: Whole milk creates a moist topping. You can also use 2% or skim if that's what you have on hand.
• Vanilla: A splash of vanilla extract adds a bit of warm flavor to the cobbler batter.
• Strawberries: Fresh, ripe strawberries are the star of the show here. Look for berries that are bright red and plump.

How To Make Strawberry Cobbler

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, place the butter in a 9x13 inch baking dish and pop it in the oven to melt. This step helps create a rich, buttery base for the cobbler and prevents the topping from sticking to the pan.

While the butter melts, prepare the strawberry filling. In a large bowl, toss the sliced strawberries with 1/4 cup of sugar until they're evenly coated. The sugar helps draw out the juices from the berries, creating a sweet, syrupy sauce as the cobbler bakes. Set the strawberries aside while you make the batter.

In another large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and remaining 1 cup of sugar until well combined. These dry ingredients form the base of the cobbler topping, and the baking powder helps it rise and become light and fluffy.

Next, stir in the milk and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and well combined.

By now, the butter should be melted and the baking dish hot. Carefully remove the dish from the oven and pour the batter evenly over the melted butter. Don't stir the batter and butter together - the butter will help create a crisp, golden crust on the bottom of the cobbler as it bakes.

Finally, scatter the sugared strawberries evenly over the top of the batter. As the cobbler bakes, the batter will rise up and around the strawberries, creating a beautiful, pillowy topping with juicy pockets of fruit throughout.

Bake the cobbler in the center of the oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the batter comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. The strawberries should be bubbling and syrupy around the edges of the pan.

Remove the cobbler from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken up slightly and makes it easier to scoop. Serve the cobbler warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!

Storing and Freezing

Store: Cover any leftover cobbler with plastic wrap or foil and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, scoop out individual portions and microwave for 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through. You can also reheat the entire cobbler in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

Freeze: Keep in mind that the texture of the cobbler may be slightly different after freezing and reheating, and the topping may not be quite as crisp as when it's freshly baked. If you want to freeze it, let the cobbler cool to room temperature, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. It will keep up to 3 months in the freezer. 

When you’re ready to eat it, let the strawberry cobbler thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then heat it in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil.

Substitutions and Variations

• Change the fruit filling. Use other seasonal fruits like peaches, blackberries, or blueberries in place of or in addition to the strawberries.
• Add a bit of spice. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm flavor.
• Make mini cobblers. Make individual cobblers by dividing the batter and filling evenly between ramekins or oven-safe mugs. Reduce the baking time and watch carefully to prevent overcooking.

Recipe Tips

• Be sure to use ripe, flavorful strawberries for the best results. If your berries are underripe or lacking in flavor, you may need to add a bit more sugar to the filling.
• Don't overmix the batter - a few small lumps are okay. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense topping.
• For a golden, crispy crust, be sure to pour the batter over the melted butter without stirring. This allows the butter to form a thin layer on the bottom of the pan.
• If the top of the cobbler starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

If you have an abundance of strawberries, make this delicious Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake. A few more delicious strawberry recipes we love include this Strawberry Icebox Cake, Shoney's Strawberry Pie, and these Strawberry Shortcake Bars.

This easy strawberry cobbler recipe is a simple, homemade dessert that's bursting with fresh, fruity flavor. Serve it warm from the oven with a scoop of ice cream for a sweet treat that is sure to bring smiles to your family’s faces.