Name: The BEST Strawberry Cobbler Recipe EVER!!
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup white sugar; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; ¼ cup lemon juice; 3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced into ¼-inch slices; 2 tablespoons cold butter, diced; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon white sugar; 1½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 3 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes; ½ cup heavy cream

This classic Strawberry Cobbler combines juicy, sweet strawberries with a tender, biscuit-like topping for a dessert that’s both rustic and elegant. The warm fruit filling bubbles up around the golden crumble topping, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors that’s irresistible when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry and refrigerator
Quick preparation time—only 10 minutes of hands-on work
Perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors from fresh strawberries and lemon juice
Versatile dessert that works for both casual family dinners and special occasions
Can be made year-round, though it’s especially delightful with peak-season strawberries
Comforting warm dessert with a beautiful presentation
Easily adaptable to include other fruits or flavor variations

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

White sugar provides just the right amount of sweetness to balance the natural tartness of the strawberries while helping to create that luscious sauce. You can adjust the amount slightly depending on how sweet your berries are.

Cornstarch acts as the thickening agent for the fruit filling, transforming the juices released by the strawberries into a silky, spoonable sauce rather than a runny liquid. It’s essential for that perfect cobbler consistency.

Lemon juice adds brightness and a touch of acidity that enhances the natural flavor of the strawberries. It also helps balance the sweetness of the dish and works with the cornstarch to create the right texture.

Fresh strawberries are the star of this dessert. When selecting strawberries, look for bright red fruits with a sweet fragrance. The more aromatic they are, the more flavorful your cobbler will be.

Butter appears in both the filling and topping because it adds richness and helps create that irresistible golden-brown crust. In the filling, it melts into the hot fruit mixture to add silkiness, while in the topping it creates those desirable flaky pockets.

All-purpose flour forms the foundation of the crumble topping, giving it structure and substance. It combines with the butter to create those delicious, tender pockets in the cobbler top.

Baking powder is the leavening agent that helps the topping rise slightly and become light rather than dense. It’s what gives the cobbler topping its biscuit-like quality.

Salt is essential to enhance all the flavors in the cobbler. Even in sweet dishes, a little salt balances and amplifies the other ingredients.

Heavy cream brings richness and moisture to the topping, helping it achieve that perfect texture between a biscuit and a crumble. Its fat content contributes to the golden brown color when baked.

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Butter a 9-inch round or square baking pan.
In a heavy-duty saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens.
Remove from heat and gently fold in the sliced strawberries.
Pour the strawberry mixture into the prepared baking dish and dot with the diced butter.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in the heavy cream until just combined.
Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the strawberries.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Servings and Timing

This Strawberry Cobbler recipe makes 4 generous servings, making it perfect for a family dessert. Each serving contains approximately 504 calories.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

The quick preparation and cooking time make this an excellent option for weeknight desserts or last-minute entertaining.

Variations

Mixed Berry Cobbler: Substitute half the strawberries with blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a mixed berry version.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Cobbler: Replace one cup of strawberries with one cup of diced rhubarb for a classic spring combination.

Almond Topping: Add 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract to the topping and sprinkle with sliced almonds before baking.

Citrus Twist: Use orange juice instead of lemon juice and add 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the filling for a different flavor profile.

Spiced Strawberry Cobbler: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the fruit mixture for a warm, spiced version.

Whole Wheat Topping: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor and added nutrition.

Vanilla Bean: Scrape in the seeds from half a vanilla bean to the filling for an aromatic enhancement.

Storage/Reheating

Counter Storage: The cobbler can be stored at room temperature, loosely covered with a clean kitchen towel, for up to 24 hours.

Refrigerator: For longer storage, cover the cobbler with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

Freezer: You can freeze the baked cobbler for up to 3 months. Cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and place in a freezer-safe container.

Reheating: To reheat refrigerated cobbler, place in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until warmed through. For frozen cobbler, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, or reheat from frozen at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.

Individual Portions: For reheating single servings, microwave for 30-45 seconds or until warmed to your liking.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries in this cobbler recipe. There’s no need to thaw them first, but you may need to increase the baking time by about 5-10 minutes. The texture might be slightly different, as frozen strawberries tend to release more liquid when cooking.

Why is my cobbler topping soggy?

A soggy topping usually results from one of three issues: not baking the cobbler long enough, placing the topping on very hot filling, or having a filling that’s too liquidy. Make sure your oven is fully preheated, bake until the topping is golden brown, and ensure your filling is properly thickened with cornstarch.

Can I make this cobbler ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the filling and topping separately up to a day in advance. Store the filling in the refrigerator and keep the dry topping ingredients mixed and ready. Add the cream to the topping just before assembling and baking for the best results.

Is there a dairy-free alternative for the heavy cream?

Certainly. You can substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a non-dairy creamer. For the butter, use a plant-based butter substitute. These alternatives will change the flavor slightly but will maintain the cobbler’s texture.

How do I know when the cobbler is done baking?

The cobbler is ready when the topping is golden brown and the filling is visibly bubbling around the edges. If you insert a toothpick into the topping, it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

Yes, you can reduce the sugar by up to half if your strawberries are particularly sweet or if you prefer a less sweet dessert. The cobbler will still set properly, but the flavor balance will be different.

Why add lemon juice to strawberry cobbler?

Lemon juice enhances the natural flavor of strawberries and provides a balanced taste by offsetting the sweetness. It also helps the cornstarch thicken properly and prevents the filling from becoming too sweet.

What’s the best way to serve strawberry cobbler?

Strawberry cobbler is best served warm (not hot) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a pour of cold heavy cream. The contrast between the warm cobbler and cold topping is part of what makes this dessert so appealing.

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely! Simply double all ingredients and use a larger baking dish, such as a 9×13-inch pan. The baking time might increase by 5-10 minutes, so keep an eye on it and look for that golden-brown topping and bubbling filling.

What’s the difference between a cobbler, crisp, and crumble?

A cobbler has a biscuit-like topping that’s often dropped or spooned over the fruit filling. A crisp typically has a topping made with oats, which gives it a crispy texture when baked. A crumble has a streusel-like topping made primarily of flour, butter, and sugar without oats.

Conclusion

This Strawberry Cobbler is a timeless dessert that celebrates the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries. Its combination of juicy, warm fruit and tender, buttery topping creates a comforting dessert that’s both simple to prepare and impressive to serve. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight family dinner or a special occasion, this cobbler is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

The beauty of this dessert lies in its versatility—you can enjoy it year-round, adapt it to use whatever fruits are in season, and personalize it with your favorite spices or add-ins. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, this Strawberry Cobbler embodies everything we love about homemade desserts: wholesome ingredients, straightforward preparation, and that unmistakable freshly-baked aroma that fills your kitchen with warmth and anticipation.