Have you ever wanted to surprise someone with something special? That is how my blackberry cobbler was created. I wanted to make a special surprise dessert for my husband’s birthday. He loved it! So this is now his special birthday dessert every year. Maybe this dessert can become part of your family’s celebrations. Happy cooking!

6 c fresh blackberries or 12 oz frozen
1/4 c Grand Marnier or orange juice
2-3/4 c sugar, divided
1/2 c butter, cut into 1” cubes, keep cold
1-1/2 c all purpose flour, plus 2 tbsp
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, plus 2 tbsp
1/2 c milk
2 eggs
1 tbsp water

Set a 10-12” cast iron skillet in the oven and preheat to 400F.

In a mixing bowl, toss the blackberries with 2 cups of sugar, Grand Marnier, and 2 tbsp of flour then set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the rest of the flour, baking powder, salt, the remaining sugar, and the cinnamon and set aside. In another bowl, whisk 4 tbsp melted butter with the milk and one egg. Whisk the butter mixture into the flour mixture. In a small bowl, add your remaining egg and water. Blend together and set aside. This is your egg wash and you will not use all of it.

Remove the hot cast iron skillet from the oven. Add the remaining butter and swirl it to coat evenly. Pour half the batter evenly oven the bottom of the pan. Spoon the berry mixture over the batter, topping it with the cubed cold butter. Layer the remaining batter on top and brush on your egg wash.

Bake the cobbler for 30-35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Cool slightly and serve with your favorite vanilla ice cream.