Name: Strawberry Cobbler Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound fresh strawberries; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 2 tablespoons maple syrup or sugar- adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of the berries; pinch of black pepper; 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour; 1/2 cup sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) unsalted butter; 1 egg; 1/2 cup milk (most any plant milk will work); 1/2 cup yogurt (buttermilk or more milk is fine); 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

This easy Strawberry Cobbler is the ultimate summer dessert! Juicy fresh strawberries bake beneath a tender, buttery crust until golden and bubbly. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

strawberry cobbler in a cast iron skillet with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and fresh basil.

This strawberry cobbler has been my favorite dessert of the summer - a cozy twist on classic cobbler that’s incredibly easy to make and wonderfully homey. Sometimes called a spoon cake, it bakes into a tender, buttery cake that rises around juicy berries, creating golden, caramelized edges that are perfect for scooping into bowls.

The strawberries are enhanced with a splash of balsamic vinegar and a drizzle of maple syrup, just enough to deepen and brighten their naturally sweet-tart flavor. Finish it with a handful of fresh basil just before serving, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and every bite tastes like the very best of summer.

Why you’ll love this Strawberry Cobbler recipe!

The taste of summer in every bite. Sweet, juicy strawberries, fragrant basil, and a splash of balsamic create a rustic, fresh, and summery treat.

Easy enough for any occasion. With simple pantry ingredients and less than 30 minutes of prep time, this cobbler comes together effortlessly.

A cozy twist on classic cobbler. More like a spoon cake, the tender, buttery batter rises around the fruit as it bakes, creating a soft cake with golden edges and pockets of bubbling strawberries.

Perfect for entertaining! Bake it in a cast iron skillet and serve it warm straight from the pan with vanilla ice cream for a beautiful, crowd-pleasing dessert.

Strawberry Cobbler Ingredients

ingredients for strawberry cobbler - strawberries, flour, sugar, egg, milk, yogurt, maple syrup, balsamic, butter, pepper, salt, baking powder.

Equipment: You’ll need a 9-inch or 10-inch cast iron skillet for beautifully crisp edges and even baking. Any similarly sized oven-safe baking dish will work.

Strawberry Filling

Fresh strawberries: The star of the dessert! Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavor.
Balsamic vinegar: Just a splash enhances the strawberries’ natural sweetness and adds subtle depth without making the dessert taste vinegary.
Maple syrup: Lightly sweetens the berries while adding warm caramel notes. Adjust to taste, depending on the berries’ sweetness. Substitute granulated sugar if desired.
Black pepper: A small pinch brightens the berries and complements the balsamic.
Fresh basil: For garnish and a fresh, summery finish.

Cobbler Batter(Crust)

All-purpose flour: Creates a tender, cake-like topping. There are many different types of flour you can use here. Swap out 1/4-1/2 cup of AP flour for whole wheat flour, rye flour, cornmeal, or buckwheat flour. A gluten-free flour blend will also work.
Sugar: Sweetens the cake while helping it brown nicely.
Baking powder: Gives the batter its light, fluffy rise.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the buttery flavor.
Unsalted butter: Melted directly in the skillet, it creates rich flavor and helps develop deliciously crisp, golden edges.
Egg: Adds structure and richness.
Milk: Whole milk creates a tender crumb, or you can use any plant-based milk if preferred.
Yogurt: Adds moisture and a subtle tang. Buttermilk or more milk can be substituted.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the flavors.
Coarse sugar (optional): Sprinkled around the edges before baking, it creates a delicate crunch and beautiful bakery-style finish.

How to Make Strawberry Cobbler

1. Preheat. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Prep the strawberries. Wash and trim the strawberries. Cut them in half or quarters, or if they are small, leave them whole. Add them to a medium bowl and toss with the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and black pepper.

bowl of halved strawberries in a glass mixing bowl.

dry ingredients for strawberry cobbler in a glass mixing bowl.

3. Sift the dry ingredients. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

4. Whisk the wet ingredients. Add butter to your cast iron skillet and place it in the oven to melt for 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg, then mix in milk, yogurt, and vanilla extract. Remove the skillet from the oven and swirl the butter to coat the pan. Pour the butter into the milk mixture (leave a generous coating in the pan) and whisk.

wet ingredients for strawberry cobbler in a bowl with a whisk.

5. Make the cobbler batter. Transfer the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and mix until just combined (a few lumps are okay).

batter for strawberry cobbler in a glass mixing bowl with a silver utensil.

assembled strawberry cobbler in a cast iron skillet before baking.

6. Assemble the cobbler. Pour the batter into the skillet, spoon the strawberries over top, and drizzle the juicy syrup from the bowl onto the cobbler. If desired, add a sprinkling of coarse sugar around the edges of the crust.

7. Bake. Place the skillet in the oven and let bake for 35-40 minutes. When done, the edges will start to pull away from the pan, and the top will be puffed up and golden brown.

baked strawberry cobbler in a cast iron skillet.

8. Serve. Garnish with freshly torn basil leaves and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

two bowls of strawberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream and fresh basil.

Chef’s Tips

Use ripe strawberries. Peak-season berries will give you the best flavor and juiciest filling. A great excuse to head to your local farmers’ market!
Don’t over-mix the batter. Stir just until the flour disappears. A few small lumps are okay and will keep the cake tender.
Leave the butter coating in the skillet. Pour most of the melted butter into the batter, but leave a generous coating in the pan to create beautifully crisp, buttery edges.
Scatter the berries evenly. To ensure every spoonful gets plenty of juicy fruit!
Adjust the sweetness to your berries. Taste a strawberry first. If they’re especially tart, add a little more maple syrup. If they’re very sweet, use a little less.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (or dairy-free ice cream) or freshly whipped cream. For an extra special finish, drizzle with balsamic glaze or a touch of maple syrup and garnish with fresh basil.

Serve for summer dinners, potlucks, and holiday celebrations like Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. It also makes a wonderful brunch treat!

Storage

While best served fresh, Strawberry Cobbler leftovers can be stored in an airtight container (remove from the skillet) in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.