Cobblers, Crisps and Crumbles
Each begins with a filling that combines one or more types of fruit. The topping for a cobbler resembles sweet biscuits. Often chunks of dough are placed roughly on the fruit before baking so the finished crust has a cobbled look; sometimes the dough is rolled flat and cut into shapes, then placed on the fruit filling and baked. Crisps boast a crunchy crumb topping made from butter, sugar and flour; nuts and rolled oats may be added for texture and flavor. Crumbles, which originated in Britain, are similar to crisps and have a crumbly topping.
Here we feature recipes for these old-fashioned favorites, including a plum crumble, apricot-almond crisp and bing cherry cobbler. Prepared with peak-of-season fruits from your farmers' market, these desserts make a delicious finale to a backyard barbecue.