Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). A well-heated oven ensures the cobbler’s crust rises evenly and develops that beautiful golden-brown finish.
Prepare the Skillet: Place the stick of butter into a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Transfer the skillet to the oven while it preheats, allowing the butter to melt completely. Keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t brown too quickly — you want it melted and bubbling, not burnt. Once melted, carefully remove the skillet from the oven and set it aside on a heatproof surface.
Make the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until smooth. The batter should be pourable but slightly thick. Avoid overmixing to keep the cobbler tender.
Assemble the Cobbler: Pour the batter directly over the melted butter in the skillet. Do not stir. The layers should remain separate — as the cobbler bakes, the butter will rise to the top and the batter will rise around the fruit, creating that signature golden crust.
Add the Strawberries: Scatter the prepared strawberries evenly across the top of the batter, arranging them in a single layer as much as possible. Try to distribute them evenly so each bite is filled with fruit.
Add the Cream Cheese: Pinch or cut the cream cheese into small pieces and sprinkle them over the strawberries. These little pockets of cream will melt beautifully into the cobbler, adding a luscious, tangy richness to balance the sweetness of the berries.
Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. The crust will rise up around the fruit, leaving some strawberries peeking through the top — exactly what you want!
