Magic Lemon Cobbler (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the Cobbler

01 - 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 cup buttermilk
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional)

→ For the Filling

09 - 21 oz can lemon pie filling or equivalent homemade lemon curd

# Instructions:

01 - Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 9×9-inch baking dish and place the whole stick of butter inside. Put the dish in the oven as it preheats, allowing the butter to melt completely. This typically takes about 3-4 minutes – the butter will be fully melted and starting to bubble slightly around the edges when it's ready. This method of melting the butter directly in the baking dish not only saves you a step but also helps create that magical crispy edge around your cobbler.
02 - While the butter is melting, prepare your cobbler batter. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until well combined. To this dry mixture, add the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and lemon extract if you're using it. Stir everything together until you have a smooth, consistent batter with no lumps. The batter should be thick but pourable, similar to a pancake batter. The buttermilk gives it a subtle tang that beautifully complements the lemon flavor to come.
03 - Once the butter is fully melted, carefully remove the hot baking dish from the oven. Slowly pour your prepared batter directly over the melted butter in the dish. Here's the magic part – do not stir the mixture! This technique, allowing the butter to sit on top and around the batter, is what creates those irresistible crispy edges and helps the cobbler develop its unique texture. The batter may look uneven or like it's floating on the butter – this is exactly what you want!
04 - Now for the star ingredient: the lemon filling. Spoon the lemon pie filling or homemade lemon curd evenly over the batter layer. Again, resist the urge to stir or mix the layers together. It may seem counterintuitive to place the filling on top, but as the cobbler bakes, the layers will magically switch places! The lemon filling will sink to form a luscious pudding-like layer at the bottom, while the batter rises to create a golden cake-like top. This is why it's called a 'magic' cobbler!
05 - Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes. You'll know the cobbler is done when the top has puffed up significantly and turned a beautiful golden brown, particularly around the edges. The center should appear set but remain slightly soft to the touch. If you insert a toothpick into the cake portion, it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If the center still looks too jiggly or wet, give it an additional 5 minutes in the oven.
06 - When your magic lemon cobbler is baked to perfection, remove it from the oven and place it on a heat-resistant surface. Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. This brief cooling period allows the lemon layer to set up a bit, making it easier to serve. During this time, the cobbler will also continue to develop its flavors as the components settle together.
07 - Cut the warm cobbler into squares and serve. You'll notice that the cobbler now has three distinct layers – a crispy top, a soft cake-like middle, and a gooey lemon pudding at the bottom. Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of textures and flavors. For an extra special touch, top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a light dusting of powdered sugar. The contrast of the warm cobbler with a cold topping is absolutely divine!

# Notes:

01 - This 'magic' cobbler gets its name from the way the layers transform during baking - the lemon filling sinks while the batter rises to create perfect layers.
02 - No buttermilk? You can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes.
03 - Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave for a quick, comforting treat.

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