Easy Buffaloberry Cobbler Recipe

Lazy and fuss-free, this Easy Buffaloberry Cobbler recipe will save the day when you want to use Silver Buffaloberries you've picked for something other than jam or jelly.

Foraging for Buffaloberries

I found this buffaloberry patch while grouse hunting in North Dakota. The red berries glowed like small rubies against dull branches. From a distance, they looked almost friendly. Up close, they proved otherwise. Buffaloberry bushes fight back. They bristle with sharp thorns that grab sleeves and rake knuckles. I started picking. Then I kept picking. By the time I finished, I had nearly eight pounds of berries. My hands were scratched and tired. Still, the effort felt worthwhile.

Back home, the work continued at the kitchen sink. I rinsed, sorted, and stemmed every berry. The stems clung stubbornly, and juice stained my fingers. The small seeds worried me at first. However, they soften beautifully during baking. They're completely edible and nothing to fear. You won't crack a tooth or lose a filling. Instead, the seeds add gentle texture and character. They remind you this fruit grew wild.

What Are Buffaloberries and Why Bake Them?

Buffaloberries don't just grow in North Dakota, but across much of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest. For many foragers, they feel like a secret hiding in plain sight.

The berries taste tart, bright, and slightly citrusy. A cobbler works because sugar softens a buffaloberry's bite. And unlike buffaloberry jam or jelly, a cobbler celebrates the texture. You get tender berries, a soft crumb, and crisp edges in every spoonful.

Ingredients For This Easy Berry Cobbler

For the Buffaloberries

• 4 cups buffaloberries (fresh or frozen)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• zest and juice from 1 lemon
• 8 Tablespooons butter

For the Cobbler Batter

• ¾ cup half and half
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to Make Buffaloberry Cobbler

1. Start with Butter and Heat

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Slice butter into pieces and add to a 9 X 13 baking dish. Place the pan in the oven while it preheats to allow the butter to melt, about 5 minutes. Once melted, remove the pan from the oven.

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2. Prepare the Buffaloberries

To a large bowl, add buffaloberries, sugar, and lemon zest and juice. Stir well to combine.

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3. Mix the Cobbler Batter

In a separate bowl, whisk together the cobbler batter ingredients of flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then stir in the half and half until just combined.

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4. Assemble the Cobbler

Pour buffaloberries over melted butter in pan. Spread batter over the top. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.

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5. Serve the Easy Berry Cobbler

Serve berry cobbler warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

More Recipes for Foragers

If you love foraging for your own berries, be sure and check out all of our foraging recipes including this Juneberry Cheesecake.

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