Glad to see so many of you agreed with me in the last post, and if you didn’t that’s cool too. 🙂 But one thing several people said, and I agree, is that sometimes being a good baker is a curse.
You can’t ever just bring store bought cookies to a party and be done with it because you had a busy day. People look in horror at you when you do that. It’s perfectly fine that they always pick up the Albertson’s fruit platter, but God-forbid if you slack out. And it’s not even just that it can’t be store bought. I have people actually get disappointed when I “just” bring cookies or brownies. “I was hoping for something from your blog”. Well, those cookies or brownies were probably on the blog. Somewhere in these people’s minds the ability to bake means you also have the time to bake, which as you know is well, NOT THE CASE!
Recently I’ve been strolling though the beginning of this here blog. Most of my current readers have really only been with me over the last two years (with some die hard exceptions of course). So many of the quality recipes from way back in the day have long been forgotten. We flashback to this unusual style cobbler that I made back originally in 2006. I was intrigued by the fact that you roll it up and cut it like cinnamon rolls and then poor simple syrup over the whole thing. It looks scary dreadful when it goes into the oven and you get a little worried, but then it comes out awesome. Over the years I have made a ton of these. While staring at my flat of blackberries I decided it was time for you to get reacquainted with this cobbler.
This is a slightly different version of the original one I made. I used my mom’s peach jam instead of sprinkling cinnamon on the inside of the rolls. I personally love the taste of peaches and blackberries together so I thought it would be a nice pairing, and it is.
Why Do I Always Think I Can Eat a Whole Flat of Blackberries Before they Spoil Blackberry-Peach Jam Cobbler
4 ounces unsalted butter, divided
1 cup water
1 cup plus 2 TBSP granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 TBSP cornstarch
2 TBSP brown sugar
3 cups fresh blackberries (about 1 pound)
5 TBSP Peach Jam (preferably homemade)
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a medium sized bowl, toss blackberries with cornstarch and brown sugar. Set aside.
In a 10-inch glass pie plate or baking dish melt 1/2 stick (2 ounces) butter in oven.
In a small saucepan combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar and heat over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is completely dissolved.
In a food processor pulse together flour and remaining 1/2 stick butter (cut into dime size pieces) until mixture resembles fine meal. Add cream, vanilla, cinnamon and salt, and pulse just until a dough forms.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and with a floured rolling pin roll into an 11- by 9-inch rectangle.
Brush peach jam on top of dough evenly and scatter blackberry mixture evenly over top.
Beginning with a long side roll up dough jelly-roll fashion and cut into 1 1/2-inch thick slices. (Slices will come apart and be messy…really messy).
Arrange slices, cut sides up, on melted butter in pie plate or baking dish. Pour sugar syrup over slices, soaking dough, and bake cobbler in middle of oven 45 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons sugar over cobbler and bake 15 minutes more, or until golden.
Serve cobbler warm with ice cream…vanilla is the best.
Serves 6 normal people, or 2 Peabody’s. 😀
Adapted from: Gourmet June 1996 Denise Maguire: Saint Petersburg, Florida
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets says
I know exactly what your talking about. My friend even complained when she saw that my own birthday cake wasn’t homemade this year (only cause I had a concert the night before)! We just gotta take it with a grain of salt and as a compliment to our abilities, eh? This looks oooey gooey and delicious!
Felice says
This looks delicious. There must be something in the air because I made a cobbler tonight too – nectarine and raspberry.
Rosa says
A gorgeous cobbler!
Yes, when you are a baker you feel bad if you have to buy baked goods. It is a real curse! The worst thing about being able to bake is that none of the stuff you buy will ever be as good as your creations…
Cheers,
Rosa
wendyywy says
Whenever people invite me over for potlucks, they always always expect I make something out of the ordinary to bring. Something they have never seen or eaten before. And people always come for dinner or parties at my place with high expectations of the spread. It is tiring trying to come up with new stuff all the time, when I’m the only one cooking with limited time. Sigh..
BTW, the cobbler looks good. My blueberries are calling me to try this.
clumbsycookie says
There’s another curse attached of beeing a baker, at least for me. Nobody like to bake for me because they feel intimidated. This happens to you too?
That way of doing to coobles is way cool, make for a stunning effect!
Judy Krist says
Oh I hear you Peabody, the problem with baking and cooking is you feel like you have to do the appetizer, main, salad and dessert all yourself and apologize when you have run out of time when having guests for dinner and have picked up a store bought dessert!!!! When I have guests I usually start 2 days ahead of time….crazy!! I have been a faithful from the beginning reader…love your wit, your recipes and still make your pear, pecan, salad…yummm!! Have a great day
Jennifer @ Maple n Cornbread says
I LOVE the name of this cobbler!! 🙂 and the pairing with the peach jam is genius for sure!
The Blue-Eyed Bakers says
Love the title of the recipe! A number of our baking creations comes after we think we can eat a whole bunch more fruit than we actually can…! This looks lovely – blackberries are one of our faves…
bellini valli says
I was in the Belleville area on the weekend and the blackberries are ready already. I had them in a lemondade…so good. Would love to try your cobbler too but will have to wait for local coastal berries.
Rachel @ Working Out Wellness says
Haha, the title of this recipe is classic. I think bakers (and cooks) are cursed with “eyes too big” syndrome. We really, really, really think we can finish everything we buy/make. And part of us doesn’t want to share anyway, haha.
Erika says
This looks delicious!
Mia says
The title of the recipe made me smile.
The cobbler looks amazing, Pea!
Lisa Seatter says
Ohhh Yum! Thank you for sharing it with the newbies! I also love the recipe title. Titles are very important!!!
Joanne says
I don’t think anyone has ever complained when I merely brought cookies or brownies…but I can feel the peer pressure looming even if they don’t say anything. Next time I’m bringing these babies. Mainly because I want to eat them. Screw everyone else 😛
Sobaka says
That looks so good. Definitely going on my list. I’m thinking cherries in place of blackberries. Mmmm…
Another aspect of the baker’s curse is when people fall in love with one or two of your baked goods and want you to make them all the time. Most of the time I bake for my own benefit, meaning that I decide what I want to bake, usually something new to me, and if it turns out OK I share it with others. When people start placing orders, as it were, it takes away some of the fun. Also people always seem to want the things that either take a long time to make, or contain expensive ingredients.
Still, it’s nice to be appreciated for something! Thanks for bringing back this recipe to share with us.
Jill says
Exactly, why do I always have to bring a 4 layer coconut cake with the most delicious cream cheese frosting and my friend gets to bring a 2 liter Coke. :o)
Rebecca says
I don’t comment a lot, but I’ve been reading since the beginning! That looks crazy good.
Ashley says
Ooo I don’t even like cobbler but I love, like you, that you roll it up like a cinnamon roll! How fun.
sarah says
wow–this looks perfect! glad you’re recycling some old recipes for new super-fans like me!
sarah says
btw…i thought you should know that while i read most blogs in google reader, i always have to visit your page directly b/c i know that i’m gonna want to bookmark your recipes!
Blond Duck says
I totally understand. My office is the same way–if it’s not some elaborate homemade dish, they pout! Only from me, of course. Everyone else can pick up the stale $3.99 cookies from HEB.
Stephanie - Chocolate and Toast says
Oooh, this is DEFINITELY for me – I’m all about the high cobbler to filling ratio! And you are so right about The Curse. Sometimes my friends even tell me, specifically, what they’d like me to bring to a party!
Eliana says
I know exactly what you mean. I had a girlfriend come by the other night and I made her the most amazing dinner. Then hen I offered fruit for dessert, she said I was hoping you had something from your blog.
ovenhaven says
I’ve never tried cobblers with blackberries before, but this definitely looks great! I can totally relate to the ‘curse’. Somehow you’re always expected to bring something vavavoom to the table, or in my case, since I take in fondant cake orders, somehow people get disappointed when I don’t do the same for their birthdays. Haha 😛
caroline says
Hi Peabody – I just wanted to write to tell you I love your postings. I live in Brisbane, Australia and find myself always coming back to your blog to see what you are baking/cooking – quite inspirational (and always so mouth watering!). Happy cooking. Caroline
Darlene says
I bake, and when I have time, I like to do “fancy” cookies, and cupcakes, but I really do hate/resent it when I am invited to a dinner/potluck/party and the hostess says “bring some of your great cookies” REALLY? I do it to relax, not meet a deadline.
Ah well, I guess I should take it as a compliment, eh?
Lynn says
Yes, blackberries + peaches = awesome. And yes, baking can be a curse. I am soooo picky about what I get at store or a restaurant. I usually say, “I can make better,” then don’t have the time to.
Mimi says
That cobbler is a thing of beauty!
BTW, I never tell anyone about my blog, that way I can bring the bottles of pop to the potluck. 😆
MyKitchenInHalfCups says
That is so on the money Pea! I have to get this one made before the blackberries give out. That looks really gorgeous!
Elle says
Peaches and blackberries are such a great combo! Bet this one tastes even better than it looks…and it looks good! It’s true that people expect awesome desserts when I’m asked to bring something…so I buy from my best bakery when there is not time to bake 🙂 YOUR baked goods would be even better!
Mrs. L says
I don’t bake, but I get that in general whenever I go somewhere “you’re a foodie and you brought store bought macaroni salad?”. Sad to say, I do feel guilty!
Jessie @ simplysifted says
I don’t get pressure from my friends, but I put a TON of pressure on myself to always bring something new and exciting to potlucks, birthday parties, etc. Often what happens is that people request a favorite recipe of mine, but I feel like I should be challenging myself to try new things so I’m up late the night before a work potluck trying to make two different desserts. And then the next day I’m lugging a ridiculous amount of food on my bike or the subway.
Kelsey says
This looks so delicious, Peabody!
Kate @ Savour Fare says
Try having the toddler birthday party planning down. All the other moms can just pick up a cake from the grocery store, but you have to make it, from scratch, and decorate it too.
I think I’m secretly a baker first but I sell myself as a cook.
BTW — I think we have a mutual friend — just got an appointment at MIT?