Three-Berry Cobbler

Sweet, juicy fresh berries are some of spring and summer’s best treats. This cobbler shows how to use less butter in the topping by replacing part of it with buttermilk and other leaner ingredients. Halving instead of slicing the strawberries preserves their texture in the warm, comforting filling.

 

Three-Berry Cobbler

 

Canola-oil spray

2 cups (8 oz./250 g.) blueberries

4 cups (1 lb./500 g.) raspberries

4 cups (1 lb./500 g.) strawberries, hulled and halved lengthwis3e

1/4 cup (2 1/2 oz./75 g.) raspberry jam

1 Tbs. instant tapioca

1/2 cup (2 1/2 oz./75 g.) whole-wheat flour

1/2 cup (2 1/2 oz./75 g.) unbleached all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. sea salt

3 Tbs. unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/3 cup (3 oz./90 g.) sugar

1/3 cup (3 fl. oz./80 ml.) nonfat buttermilk

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Coat an 8-inch (20-cm.) square nonreactive metal pan or ceramic baking dish lightly with the canola-oil spray. (Do not use a glass dish for this recipe.)

 

To make the filling, in a bowl, combine the blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, jam and tapioca. Using a rubber spatula, stir gently to coat the berries with the jam. Spread the fruit in an even layer in the prepared pan.

 

To make the topping, in a bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a bowl, using a handheld mixer, beat together the butter and sugar on high speed until fluffy and pale, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium and beat in about half of the buttermilk. Add about half of the dry ingredients and beat until almost combined. Beat in the remaining buttermilk. Add the remaining dry ingredients and beat until a thick, sticky batter forms. Do not overmix.

 

Drop the batter by heaping spoonfuls over the fruit. Spread it as evenly as possible, using the back of the spoon. Some of the fruit will be exposed.

 

Bake the cobbler until the crust is deep golden brown and the fruit juices bubble up around the edges and through any cracks, about 40 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool to lukewarm before serving. Scoop the cobbler from the dish onto dessert plates and serve. Serves 6.