Old Fashion Blackberry Cobbler

One of my dear high school friends from Alabama asked for a recipe for Blackberry Cobbler. I wish I could say, "Yes, I have my grandmother's recipe that I learned at her knee." But, truth is, I don't! Oh, what I wouldn't give to turn back time and write down the recipe. Grandmother lived to be 102 and I sat her down at about age 94 and recorded her telling about my Daddy when he was a little boy and how she and my grandaddy met. But, I did not ask about cooking. WHAT was I thinking????

This recipe is very similiar to hers and a little different from THE one everyone else makes. Everyone has the "old fashion Dump Pie" recipe ... a cup of fruit, one of self-rising flour, one of sugar, one of milk and a stick of melted butter. But, not everyone has this recipe! When you bake it, be assured that my grandmother is watching over you.  (And remember, this is NOT meant to be pretty, just good!)

Old Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler

 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
 2 tablespoons sugar
 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
 ½ teaspoon salt
 5 tablespoons very cold butter, cut in small pieces
 1/2 cup milk

 Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut butter into mixture with two knives or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs. Add milk and mix only until dough sticks together. Gently knead a few times to bring dough together. Dust with flour. Roll or pat out dough to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into strips for lattice, or roll into small, slightly flattened balls to be placed on top of fruit.

 6 cups fresh blackberries (or blueberries)

 1/2 to 1 cup sugar

 2 tablespoons cornstarch

 1 teaspoon grated lime zest, optional

Wash berries and pat dry. Combine sugar, cornstarch and lime zest; mix with berries.

Preheat oven to 375. Spread fruit mixture evenly in baking dish. Cover with biscuit mixture. Sprinkle with additional sugar. Bake until the top is golden brown and the fruit juices are slightly thickened, about 45-50 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving. Serve with whipped cream, chilled heavy cream or ice cream.