Blackberry and Dried Apricot with Buttermilk Biscuit Topping

Directions

Prepare oven according to Mugnaini’s Baking Environment, 450 – 550˚F

Biscuit Topping

Start by making the topping. Combine the flour, sugar, and baking powder and mix together by hand. Using a mixer, attach the paddle and turn to speed 2. Slowly add the butter to the dry ingredients; it should turn into a crumbly mixture. Slowly incorporate the buttermilk until the dough comes together.

Note: You may also use a Cuisinart with the dough tool or blade attachment, or the dough can also be made by hand.

Turn the dough out onto a floured counter and press into a ball. Gently roll out to a rough square and fold the square in half and then roll out again to a square.

Wrap in plastic wrap and chill until ready for use.

Fruit

In a large bowl combine the blackberries, dried apricots, sugar, cornstarch and orange zest. Mix well and pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish.

Pull the biscuit topping from the refrigerator and pinch pieces off that are the size of quarters and place in an even layer over the berries.

Cover with foil and slide into the oven. Bake for 45 minutes covered and then remove the foil to get a golden color on the biscuit topping — this could take from 5 – 10 minutes depending on how hot your oven is. Remove pan from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.