Here is a perfectly festive, good old-fashioned dessert just in time for the 4th of July! It is very simple to make and doesn’t leave you spending too much time in the kitchen.

Here is what you need:

1 cup sugar
2/3 cup water plus 2/3 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 ounces (1 stick) cold butter
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon cornstarch
4 cups (1 quart) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Here is how you make it:

Place rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 450 degrees. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and 2/3 cup water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in vanilla. Let this stand while you make the dough.

In a large bowl, combine flour, 4 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in the butter and mix well. Add milk and stir until just combined.

Place fruit in an ungreased 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan. Add cornstarch to remaining 2/3 cup water and stir well. Add to hot sugar syrup and mix well. Pour over berries.

Drop dumpling dough by spoonful over entire surface of fruit and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until entire top (especially the middle) is golden brown.

Serve warm or at room temperature. Would also be nice with some ice cream!