Peach Berry Cobbler & Homemade Whipped Cream

Last week, I was at home, hungry for dessert, and alone. Previously, I bought a bunch of fruit to try to "live healthy." That is not the easiest for me, considering I turned it all into dessert... I had peaches, blackberries, and Michigan cherries (yayy local!) Thanks to Pinterest, I found a peach cobbler recipe for two. Cobbler is basically a fruit pie without a bottom crust (that means less carbs!). I also did not have the ingredients for a pie crust, so a cobbler was the next best thing. The Pinterest recipe was for a peach cobbler with granola topping.

The Cobbler

Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a glass baking dish large enough to fir your fruit (Ramekins work well)

I cut up two ripe peaches into cubes (about a cup & a half - 2 cups), rinsed and cut the larger black berries (1/2 cup) into bite sized pieces, and cut up the cherries (1/2 cup) into quarters and removed the pits. I then mixed the fruit together in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of granulated, white sugar.

To make the crust, I abandoned all directions in the Pinterest recipe. 

I used 1 individual package of Quaker Oats instant oatmeal (maple & brown sugar flavored), 2 tablespoons of COLD butter,  1 tablespoon of flour, 1 teaspoon of a cinnamon sugar mix,  2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and a splash of vanilla. I mixed the topping with my finger, mushing it together between my fingertips until it was like balls of playdough. I then sprinkled it over the top of the fruit mixture. I baked it for 25 mins.

When my taste-testing boyfriend, Nic, came home from OU football practice, he saw the kitchen a mess and me not working on my research paper that was due in a mere three days! He is a little picky -- doesn't like topping of heavy sauces or things that are too sweet -- so dessert is always a little risky. I let the cobbler cool a bit, and served him a small bowl with a dollop of homemade whipped cream (simple as can be!) and he LOVED it! He said it was warm and not too sweet and had a nice crunchy topping without being too over powering! Yayy!

 Whipped Cream

1 cup of heavy whipping cream

1 tablespoon of sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla

I started using a whisk by hand, and realized that there was no way I could beat that stuff stiff, so I got the mixer out with the whisk attachment (which I got for Nic as a housewarming gift, which was really a gift for me!) It took me like 3 minutes on high to get it stiff. 

Plopped that stuff right on top of the cobbler and it was heaven!

Later that week, Nic's family was in town, so I make this for after our barbecue. I increased the recipe to 3 peaches, 1 cup of blackberries, 1 cup of cherries, and 2 tablespoons of  sugar. I also added 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to make it less watery when baked.

For the topping, I used 2 packages of instant oatmeal, 3 tablespoons of butter, 2 teaspoons of the cinnamon/sugar, 2.5 tablespoons of flour, and some chopped walnuts.  I forgot the brown sugar so I sprinkled some over the top and returned it to the oven. Instead of a small ramekin, I used a glass pie dish, and increased the baking time to 35 mins. It turned out just fine! And his family loved it!

I'm sure you can apply this to almost any berry cobblers. There is no exact science to these measurement increases, so adjust accordingly. 

Good luck & happy baking!

From my mind to your belly,Allison B.

Salutations

Hello fellow food enthusiasts,

I love food -- everything about it -- the taste, texture, smell, and preparing it for my friends and family and boyfriend (who has to taste-test all my experiments).  As a grad student, I have to operate of a budge, and often substitute what I have (or what I like) for what is called for. I both bake and cook and mix savory and sweet. I want to share my recipes and experiments with you as I try them myself with some of my recommendations, tweaks, and of course, taster's reviews.

I have come from a long line of great cooks and bakers, and most of the do things the "old school way" without measuring, and lots of flavor! (which is not always best for the waistline) One of my goals is to share old school flavor and techniques while being aware of health, and still make my grandmothers proud. Growing up watching them and my mom in the kitchen, I was fascinated and always wanted to help, but I was never much for following instructions to the T, so without supervision, I am improvising and learning.

I hope you enjoy my recipes and stories. I cook between classes and deadlines and all the joys of grad school. Food keeps me sane! Happy reading & happy cooking!

From my mind to your belly,

Allison B.