Summer Berry Cobbler with Sour Cream Biscuits
Iain Bagwell
Yields 8 Servings Plus Time to Cool 1 hr 30 mins Total Time 1 hr 45 mins
AuthorElaine Johnson

After many tasty tests, we can say with certainty that a mix of three kinds of berries bakes up more juicy and flavorful than just one. The biscuits on top come out fluffy and tender, thanks to a little baking soda in addition to baking powder, and you can cut them round or square to match your dish.

How to Make It

1

Preheat oven to 350° with top rack in center and another rack beneath it. (If using a glass baking dish, set oven at 325° and set top rack in upper third of oven). Make filling: In a large bowl, combine granulated sugar, tapioca, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Stir in lemon zest and juice, then gently stir in berries. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, for tapioca to begin to soften.

2

Meanwhile, make biscuits: In a medium bowl, stir together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and soda. Add butter and cut in with a pastry blender until pieces are pea-size. Stir in sour cream and 1 tbsp. cream until dough is evenly moistened but still shaggy. Gather dough into a ball and knead on a lightly floured work surface just until smooth, 4 to 6 turns.

3

Re-flour surface and pat or roll dough into a 6-in. square about 1/2 in. thick. Cut straight down with a long knife into 2-in. squares to make 9 biscuits, or cut straight down with a 2-in. round biscuit cutter, re-rolling scraps as needed.

4

Transfer fruit and juices to a 2- to 2 1/2-qt. baking dish that’s 1 1/2 to 2 in. deep, such as an 8-in. square one. Set biscuits on fruit, arranged slightly apart. Brush biscuits with remaining 2 tsp. cream and sprinkle with sparkling sugar.

5

Set cobbler on upper oven rack and slide a rimmed baking sheet on rack beneath to catch drips. Bake until filling begins to bubble in center and biscuits are well browned, about 55 minutes (1 1/4 hours for a glass dish). Let cool on a rack at least 1 1/2 hours. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

Filling
 1 cup granulated sugar
 2 tbsp quick-cooking tapioca
 1 tbsp cornstarch
 ¾ tsp cinnamon
 1 tsp lemon zest
 1 tbsp lemon juice
 2 cups each blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries (about 1 3/4 lbs. total), rinsed and patted dry
Biscuits
 1 ¼ cups flour
 2 tbsp granulated sugar
 ¾ tsp baking powder
 ¼ tsp each kosher salt and baking soda
 5 tbsp cold salted butter, cut into 1-tbsp. pieces
  cup sour cream
 1 tbsp plus 2 tsp. whipping cream or milk
 1 tsp coarse sparkling sugar

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 350° with top rack in center and another rack beneath it. (If using a glass baking dish, set oven at 325° and set top rack in upper third of oven). Make filling: In a large bowl, combine granulated sugar, tapioca, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Stir in lemon zest and juice, then gently stir in berries. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, for tapioca to begin to soften.

2

Meanwhile, make biscuits: In a medium bowl, stir together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and soda. Add butter and cut in with a pastry blender until pieces are pea-size. Stir in sour cream and 1 tbsp. cream until dough is evenly moistened but still shaggy. Gather dough into a ball and knead on a lightly floured work surface just until smooth, 4 to 6 turns.

3

Re-flour surface and pat or roll dough into a 6-in. square about 1/2 in. thick. Cut straight down with a long knife into 2-in. squares to make 9 biscuits, or cut straight down with a 2-in. round biscuit cutter, re-rolling scraps as needed.

4

Transfer fruit and juices to a 2- to 2 1/2-qt. baking dish that’s 1 1/2 to 2 in. deep, such as an 8-in. square one. Set biscuits on fruit, arranged slightly apart. Brush biscuits with remaining 2 tsp. cream and sprinkle with sparkling sugar.

5

Set cobbler on upper oven rack and slide a rimmed baking sheet on rack beneath to catch drips. Bake until filling begins to bubble in center and biscuits are well browned, about 55 minutes (1 1/4 hours for a glass dish). Let cool on a rack at least 1 1/2 hours. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Summer Berry Cobbler with Sour Cream Biscuits

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