Description
This easy gooseberry cobbler is a delightful summer dessert featuring juicy, tart gooseberries infused with ginger and elderflower cordial, topped with a golden, buttery crumbly crust. Baked to perfection, it offers a perfect balance of tangy fruit and sweet, crunchy topping, ideal served warm with ice cream or custard.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 750g gooseberries, washed, topped and tailed
- 100g caster sugar
- 1 tsp grated root ginger
- 3 tbsp elderflower cordial
- 4 tbsp water
Topping
- 140g plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 25g butter
- 25g caster sugar
- 150ml buttermilk
- 1 tbsp demerara sugar
Optional serving suggestions
- Low-fat ice cream
- Fromage frais
- Custard
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare filling: Heat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan)/gas mark 5. In a saucepan, combine the gooseberries, 100g caster sugar, grated root ginger, elderflower cordial, and 4 tablespoons of water. Cover and cook for 5 minutes until the berries start to burst and release their juices. Transfer this fruit mixture to a baking dish.
- Make the topping: In a mixing bowl, sift the plain flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the 25g caster sugar. Add the buttermilk and mix gently to form a soft, sticky dough.
- Assemble and bake: Spoon dollops of the dough evenly over the gooseberry filling in the baking dish. Sprinkle the surface with demerara sugar to add crunch and sweetness. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and crusty.
- Rest and serve: Remove the cobbler from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes. Serve warm with low-fat ice cream, fromage frais, or custard as preferred.
Notes
- If you can’t find buttermilk, substitute with low-fat natural yogurt thinned with a little water, or add 1 tbsp lemon juice to 150ml milk and let it curdle for 5 minutes to make a buttermilk substitute.
- Ensure the gooseberries are washed, topped, and tailed properly to remove any stems for the best taste and texture.
- This cobbler is best enjoyed warm but can be reheated gently if needed.
- The addition of ginger and elderflower cordial adds unique floral and spicy notes complementing the tartness of the gooseberries.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: gooseberry cobbler, easy cobbler recipe, summer dessert, baked fruit dessert, elderflower cordial dessert, ginger cobbler
