My One-Off Blueberry Cobbler

I don't like to bake, which is sort of hilarious, because Marvelous Jackson, which launches September 10, is about a boy who falls in love with baking as a way to stay out of trouble and reconnect with his late mom. He throws himself into learning the finer points of scones, sprinkles, and cupcakes, all while finding a new sense of purpose and belonging.

For book promo, I recently had a photo shoot WHERE I ACTUALLY HAD TO BAKE SOMETHING. Cue my panic. But I talked myself off the ledge: If you can write a book, Laura, you can 100% make something sweet in front of a photographer. I reassured myself that we can do hard things. Right?

I ended up baking a blueberry cobbler -- all while attempting to smile for the camera without sweat dripping down my brow -- and, dear reader, it turned out beautifully. Even my sweet-toothed husband was impressed, and he wanted to know when I'd be doing another baking photoshoot again. (Never, I gently informed him.)

Sending a book out into the world -- once, twice -- has nudged me out of my comfort zone more times that I can count. Sure, it's stressful, and I don't always sleep well the night before an interview or presentation (or photoshoot), but if my characters can stretch themselves in big, scary ways, then so can I.

Thanks, Clare. Thanks, Jack. You keep me going. I hope I make you proud.

P.S. I loved my blueberry cobbler so much, I'm including the recipe here. I'm sure you could make it with any fruit. Consider it dessert. Consider it breakfast. Consider it a snack. You're welcome.

BLUEBERRY COBBLER

Taken from "1001 Community Recipes"

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening

1 egg (beaten)

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup milk

16 oz frozen blueberries (I used fresh)

Preheat oven to 350. Combine sugar and shortening in bowl and beat until creamy. Stir in egg; add flour, baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt alternately with milk. Mix well. Fold in blueberries and spoon into sprayed 7 x 11-inch baking pan.

TOPPING: 2/3 cup sugar, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 stick softened butter. Combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon in bowl. Mix in butter with fork until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over blueberry mixture and bake 50 minutes.

Serves 8.