Ultimate Homemade Strawberry Cobbler with Honey Biscuits & Whipped Cream

Get ready to elevate your summer dessert game with this incredible Strawberry Cobbler! Forget your standard strawberry shortcake – we’re taking things to a whole new level of warm, bubbly, fruity deliciousness. Imagine perfectly ripe, juicy strawberries, sweetened just right, bubbling beneath a blanket of tender, golden honey biscuits. And as if that wasn’t enough, it’s all crowned with a dollop of dreamy honey whipped cream. It’s truly a celebration of summer’s bounty!

One of the absolute joys of summer, especially here in Pennsylvania, is the abundance of fresh, local strawberries. As soon as the season hits, local farms spring to life, hosting vibrant strawberry festivals and inviting everyone to partake in the delightful tradition of U-pick strawberries. Even if you prefer to skip the picking, you can easily grab baskets of the freshest berries directly from the farmers’ stands.

Strawberries hold a special place in my heart – they are undoubtedly my favorite berry, and quite possibly my favorite fruit overall. This love translates into a plethora of strawberry recipes in my kitchen. While I certainly enjoy tossing them into my morning coconut yogurt for a quick breakfast, their true magic shines when transformed into a show-stopping dessert like this Strawberry Cobbler.

What sets this particular strawberry cobbler recipe apart from many others is its unique honey-sweetened profile. Every component sings with the natural sweetness of honey – from the luscious strawberry filling to the light and fluffy biscuits, and perhaps the most irresistible element of all, the decadent honey whipped cream. This cohesive honey theme creates a truly harmonious and unforgettable flavor experience.

Sometimes, I lovingly refer to this as a “strawberry shortcake cobbler” due to the delightful honey biscuit topping. Unlike many traditional cobblers that feature a pourable batter (like my popular peach cobbler for two), this recipe embraces the biscuit-style topping, drawing a clear connection to classic shortcake recipes, such as my chocolate strawberry shortcake. So, grab your trusty cast iron skillet and a generous haul of those beautiful berries, and let’s get baking!

What Exactly is a Cobbler?

A cobbler is a beloved fruit-based dessert, distinguished by its unique topping of dough or batter. Unlike crisps or crumbles, which typically feature a streusel-like topping (you’d find this on my raspberry almond crisp, apple crisp for two, or apple crumble for two), a cobbler’s identity lies in its doughy crown.

Historically, the most traditional way to prepare a cobbler involves spooning or dropping thick, biscuit-like dough over a fruit filling. Once baked, these dough dollops expand and brown, creating a bumpy, irregular surface that resembles old-fashioned cobblestones – hence the charming name “cobbler.” This method yields a wonderfully soft, tender, and slightly chewy topping that perfectly complements the warm, bubbling fruit beneath.

However, the world of cobblers is wonderfully diverse! Some variations, like my blueberry cobbler for two, might use a more pancake-like batter, which creates a lighter, cake-like texture. And for those feeling a bit more adventurous, you can certainly get creative, as I did with my whimsical Strawberry S’mores Cobbler, which incorporates toasted marshmallows for an unexpected twist. No matter the topping, the core appeal of a cobbler remains: a comforting, warm fruit dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.

Essential Ingredients for Your Strawberry Cobbler

To craft this delightful cast iron cobbler with fresh strawberries, gather these key ingredients:

Strawberries: The star of the show! Opt for the freshest, ripest strawberries you can find for the best flavor. If fresh aren’t available, you can also use strawberry pie filling as a convenient shortcut, completely skipping the need to mix with cornstarch and honey for the fruit base.
Lemon Juice: A crucial ingredient that provides a bright counterpoint to the sweetness of the strawberries and honey, preventing the dessert from being overly cloying. It truly balances the flavors.
Honey: Our signature sweetener for this cobbler! Using clover honey or your favorite mild-flavored honey will infuse a unique, natural sweetness into both the fruit filling and the biscuits.
Cornstarch: This acts as a thickener for the berry filling. As the strawberries release their juices during baking, the cornstarch works its magic to create a beautifully thick, luscious, and bubbly sauce, rather than a watery one.
Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances and deepens the overall flavor profile of the strawberry filling, adding a comforting aromatic note.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundational ingredient for our tender honey biscuits. It provides the structure and texture, ensuring the biscuits are light and flaky.
Baking Powder: This leavening agent is essential for creating light, tender, and fluffy biscuit dough, helping it rise beautifully in the oven.
Salt: A pinch of salt is vital in baking as it enhances all the other flavors in the biscuit dough, bringing out their best characteristics.
Cold Unsalted Butter: Cold butter, cut into small pieces, is key to achieving flaky biscuits. When it melts during baking, it creates pockets of steam that separate the layers of dough, resulting in a tender, rich texture.
Honey (for biscuits): Sweetens the biscuit dough, tying it back to our main honey theme and giving the topping a lovely golden hue and subtle flavor.
Cold Heavy Whipping Cream: The liquid component that binds the biscuit dough together. Using cold cream helps keep the butter cold, further contributing to a flaky texture.

How to Make This Easy Strawberry Cobbler From Scratch

Making this delightful strawberry cobbler is simpler than you might think! Follow these straightforward steps to create a show-stopping dessert:

Prepare the Strawberry Filling: In a large bowl, gently combine your sliced fresh strawberries with honey, fresh lemon juice, cornstarch, and vanilla extract. Toss everything together until the strawberries are evenly coated. The cornstarch will look like it’s sticking, which is exactly what we want. Pour this vibrant fruit mixture into your prepared cast iron skillet or baking dish.
Craft the Honey Biscuits: In a separate bowl (or food processor), whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter (or your fingertips, or pulse in a food processor) to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs or small pebbles. This step is crucial for flaky biscuits. Stir in the honey and cold heavy cream until a shaggy dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix!
Assemble the Cobbler: Divide the biscuit dough into 7-8 equal portions. Gently shape each portion into a round biscuit and arrange them artfully on top of the strawberry filling in your skillet. You can place them close together or leave small gaps, creating that classic “cobblestone” appearance.
Bake to Perfection: Pop your skillet into a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven. Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the biscuits are beautifully golden brown on top, and the strawberry filling beneath is visibly bubbly and thickened.

Once baked, allow the cobbler to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This cooling time allows the filling to set slightly and prevents you from burning your tongue! It’s absolutely delicious served warm, or equally good at room temperature. Any leftover strawberry shortcake cobbler can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerated for up to 4 days. Simply reheat gently in the oven or microwave if desired.

What to Serve with Your Delicious Strawberry Cobbler

While this cast iron strawberry cobbler is undeniably fantastic on its own, pairing it with the right accompaniment can elevate the experience even further. As mentioned, I absolutely love serving mine with a generous dollop of homemade honey whipped cream, which beautifully complements the honey-sweetened fruit and biscuits.

However, the possibilities don’t stop there! Here are a few other fantastic serving suggestions:

Traditional Homemade Whipped Cream: For a classic touch, a light and airy traditional homemade whipped cream is always a winner. Its simple sweetness allows the strawberry and honey flavors to truly shine.
Strawberry Whipped Cream: Double down on the berry goodness with a vibrant strawberry whipped cream. It adds an extra layer of fruity flavor and a beautiful pink hue.
Maple Whipped Cream: For a cozy, autumnal twist that still pairs wonderfully with berries, try a rich maple whipped cream. The warm notes of maple are surprisingly delicious with strawberries.
Cream Cheese Whipped Cream: If you love a tangier, richer topping, cream cheese whipped cream offers a delightful cheesecake-like element that contrasts beautifully with the sweet fruit.
Chocolate Whipped Cream: For the chocolate lovers, a decadent chocolate whipped cream adds a sophisticated and indulgent touch that pairs surprisingly well with strawberries.
Peanut Butter Whipped Cream: An adventurous pairing, peanut butter whipped cream creates a unique salty-sweet profile that might just surprise and delight you!

Beyond whipped cream, a scoop of creamy ice cream is another classic choice. A scoop of rich vanilla bean ice cream melting into the warm cobbler is pure bliss, or for an intensified berry experience, try it with strawberry ice cream. Don’t forget a simple garnish of fresh mint leaves or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an extra touch of elegance!

More Irresistible Strawberry Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with this easy strawberry cobbler recipe, you’ll be thrilled to explore these other fantastic strawberry desserts:

Mini Strawberry Pies: Perfect individual portions of classic strawberry pie.

Strawberry Turnovers: Flaky pastry pockets bursting with sweet strawberry filling.

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes: All the flavors of shortcake in a convenient cupcake form.

Strawberry Popsicles: A refreshing and healthy frozen treat for hot days.

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream: Creamy, dreamy ice cream with swirls of strawberry and cheesecake goodness.

Strawberry Cobbler

Yield:
6-8 servings

Prep Time:
30 minutes

Cook Time:
35 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour 5 minutes

Take strawberry shortcake to a whole new level with Strawberry Cobbler! It’s a warm fruit dessert with bubbly, juicy strawberries topped with honey biscuits and honey whipped cream.

Ingredients

Strawberry Filling

4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons clover honey
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Honey Biscuits

1 + 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/4 cup (2 ounces or 4 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
1/4 cup clover honey
1/4 cup cold heavy whipping cream
1 recipe Honey Whipped Cream

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F (200°C). Have an 8-inch cast iron skillet or similar heat-proof skillet or pan ready.
For the filling: In a large bowl, gently mix together the sliced strawberries, lemon juice, honey, cornstarch, and vanilla extract until the strawberries are evenly coated. Pour the mixture into your prepared skillet or pan.
For the biscuits: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces and pulse a few times until the mixture resembles coarse pebbles with pea-sized butter bits. Alternatively, you can add the dry ingredients to a large bowl, cut in the butter by hand with a pastry cutter or your fingers until crumbly. Then, stir in the honey and cold heavy cream until a shaggy dough forms, being careful not to overmix.
Divide the dough into 7-8 equal pieces. Gently shape each piece into a round biscuit and carefully place them on top of the strawberry mixture in the skillet, leaving a little space between each.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the biscuit tops are beautifully golden brown and the strawberry mixture beneath is visibly bubbling and thickened. Cool for at least 15 minutes before serving warm. This cobbler is absolutely delicious served with a dollop of honey whipped cream. Store any leftovers at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Notes

For convenience, you can substitute the homemade strawberry mixture with a 21-ounce can of strawberry pie filling.
If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out our other delicious cobbler variations like Strawberry S’mores Cobbler, Blueberry Cobbler For Two, and Peach Cobbler For Two.

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First published May 23, 2016

Sweet Summer Strawberry Cobbler