How to Make Blackberry Cobbler in a Dutch Oven

WILD BLACKBERRIES

Many places the world over are blessed with wild blackberry thickets despite urban expansion. There are also plenty of backyard patches out there. Those ripes berries are really sweet, and they make a yummy cobbler once you've eaten your fill of fresh berries. Bake it the same day you pick the berries!

Things You'll Need

• 1 Box Yellow Cake Mix
• 4 Pints Fresh Blackberries
• 1/3 cup Sugar
• 1/4 cup Butter
• 2 tbsp. Blackberry Brandy
• 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Large Dutch oven
• Aluminum Foil
• Camp Fire
• Water

Instructions

1. Build up your campfire so you have a good quantity of ashy coals. You'll need enough to come halfway up the side of the Dutch oven, plus a layer to pile on the top. If you're using a kitchen oven, set it at 350 degrees. Preheat while you mix the cobbler.

2. Line the Dutch oven with foil.

3. Add the blackberries to the oven, along with cinnamon and brandy. Add sugar, and gently combine ingredients. Dot the filling with several pieces of butter, a total of about two tablespoons.

4. Combine the cake mix and water in the large bowl. Use the water called for in the directions, but not the eggs or oil. Instead, add an additional 1/3 cup of water. It should be the consistency of pancake batter.

5. Pour the batter evenly over the fruit filling. Dot with another two tbsp. of butter. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp. of sugar, if desired. Place the lid on the oven. Wrap foil around the seam between the lid and the pan.

6. Place the oven in the fire. Surround it with ashy coals at least halfway up the sides. Place another layer of coals on the top of the oven. Allow to bake for at least a half hour.

7. Scrape coals off the top, and remove the foil collar. Lift the lid, and check the cobbler. It should be golden brown, and a skewer poked into just the cake should come out clean. If not, replace the lid and ,and leave for another ten minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Enjoy fresh out of the oven for best taste.

• Make sure the coals are red hot, with a covering of white ash.

• Be careful, the filled Dutch oven will be extremely hot.

Resources

• Lodge Texas Treasury of Dutch Oven Cooking Cookbook
• Lodge Classic 7-Quart Covered Dutch Oven