by Laura Everage

When temperatures begin to heat up, it is time to whip up some refreshing desserts. With so many fruits coming into season – peaches, berries, pears, plums, and watermelon – how could you resist savoring these decidedly summertime flavors? Old-fashioned fruit-based desserts are truly a part of our American heritage. Grabs some peaches, cherries, apples, or whatever summertime fruit you desire and whip up some of these easy-to-make American classics.

Cobbler: This deep-dish dessert is an American favorite. It is topped with a thick biscuit crust. It can be made with just about any type of fruit including peaches, plums, nectarines or blackberries. Depending on the region, this dessert can be called a bramble, grunt or slump. 

Crisp and Crumbles: These are often made with a shortbread crust rather than a biscuit crust that is the base for the cobbler. With the Crisp, the fruit is cooked on the bottom of the pan, then topped with a crust which becomes crisp and crumbly when it bakes. My favorite crisp is the Parisian Apple Crisp, which has a lighter crust than the shortbread, and when topped with whipped cream or ice cream, is a simple but dreamy dessert. The Crumble is simply the British version of the American Crisp.

Brown Betty: A popular baked pudding that was made during Colonial times, the Brown Betty consists of fruit (most commonly apples) baked between layers of buttered crumbs.

Fool: For a refreshing summer dessert that highlights summertime fruits, the Fool is the choice. It is a simple combination of fruit and cream, or whipped cream. Sometimes the fruit is stewed, and then folded into the whipped cream.