Blackberry Cobbler Recipe – Perfect Summer Dessert

When we think of summer desserts, blackberry cobbler is the first thing that comes to mind. Top it off with vanilla ice cream, and we are in heaven.

Summer dessert at its best, and this homemade blackberry cobbler is just what summer is all about. I was not raised with cobbler, but indulging in blackberries, yes. When I moved to the States, this wonderful dessert was presented to me at a friend’s dinner, and it has been my favorite ever since.

Blackberry CobblerPhoto byGiangi's Kitchen - Giangi Townsend

I have the most vivid childhood summer memories of spending time with my grandmother and being given a basket to collect wild blackberries on my way to my aunt and uncle’s house. By the time I arrived, not only were my fingers purple-stained, but also my lips. I could not get away by saying I did not have any, but boy, were they delicious.

With this recipe, I used fresh and frozen berries. If your local farmer’s market has the berries, do not hesitate to purchase them, as they will be rich in flavor.

What is a Cobbler?

Cobblers, crumbles, and crisps all fall under the same dessert umbrella. They are similar to pies but without pie crust.

Cobblers are typically topped with a biscuit-like topping.

If you like pie, you will enjoy cobblers very much; they are much easier to make.

The top crumble is sweet, tender, and tasty. You cannot stop just eating a slice or a large spoonful, or in the case of my family, the slice is a quarter of the skillet. I have a very sweet tooth family, can you tell?

Why you will love this recipe

Easier than pie – The super easy biscuit topping makes this dessert so easy to prepare. Chilling and rolling out dough is unnecessary, which is a plus in the summer months.

Cobbler requires basic ingredients – that are most likely already in your pantry. It is not a fussy dessert and requires usual products such as fruits, sugar, butter, cream, and vanilla.

Naturally flavorful – the perfect way to celebrate the season’s sweetest natural flavors.

Adaptable – You can adapt this blackberry cobbler to use whichever berries you like. Replace the blackberries with blueberries, and you have the same super delicious dessert. Peaches will work out beautifully here too.

Blackberry CobblerPhoto byGiangi's Kitchen - Giangi Townsend

This easy blackberry cobbler recipe uses cornstarch as a thickening agent.

During cooking, a mixture of cornstarch and water combined with the blackberries thickens the natural blackberry juice.

To prevent your cobbler from being too runny, leave some open space when you place your dough over the top. This will allow the berries to continue cooking and the juices to solidify.

Ingredients needed to make this recipe

Frozen and fresh blackberries – I like to mix the two kinds, and in the off-season, frozen do work beautifully. Do not let the frozen blackberries thaw before using them, or they will be mushy.

Orange juice and orange peel – balance beautifully with the blackberries and add another flavor layer.

Brown sugar

Vanilla extract – great flavor added to your cobbler

Cardomon – is my favorite in most of my baking. Brings a beautiful aroma to your berries

Corn starch and water are a thickening agent for your raspberries.

All-purpose flour – Used to make the biscuit part of this cobbler

Sugar – brings a hint of sweetness

Baking powder – helps with the rising of the crust

Salt

Unsalted butter – I always use unsalted butter in my cooking or baking to control the amount of sodium. Salted butter not only adds too much salt to your dish, but it changes the flavor.

Heavy cream – used to make the cobbler topping

Sanding sugar – is nice to bite into some crunchy. This step is optional and can be substituted with granulated sugar.

Blackberry CobblerPhoto byGiangi's Kitchen - Giangi Townsend

Step-by-step instructions on how to make this delicious Blackberry Cobbler

With all my recipes, please assemble all the ingredients before starting cooking and baking.

This recipe will come together quickly. And the best part is you will only need a bowl to make your top, and the fruits are mixed and cooked directly in the skillet.

Keep your butter refrigerated until ready to use. When integrated with the flour, the chilled butter will create a great crumble, giving you a flaky topping. Melted butter will work on the opposite, and you will not enjoy it.

Here are the steps needed.

While the oven is preheating, prepare the blackberry mixture

In your 10-inch cast iron skillet, stir together the blackberries, brown sugar, orange juice, vanilla extract, cardamom, and orange zest, stir, and bring to a gentle simmer.

Mix the cornstarch with the water and slowly add it to the blackberry mixture. Stir well until it is all absorbed. Continue cooking for about another three minutes. remove from teh heat and set aside.

Blackberry CobblerPhoto byGiangi's Kitchen - Giangi Townsend

Prepare the drop biscuit cobbler topping.

While your cobbler is resting, prepare the topping by mixing the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the chilled butter pieces and crumble them with your fingertips while mixing them with the flour.

Add the heavy cream and work until you reach a beautiful dough.

Blackberry CobblerPhoto byGiangi's Kitchen - Giangi Townsend

Assemble the cobbler

Tear the dough into 3-inch round pieces and place them over the blackberries. Do not overcrowd them and leave some spaces open.

Sprinkle sanding sugar over it.

Blackberry CobblerPhoto byGiangi's Kitchen - Giangi Townsend

Bake and serve

Place the skillet on a baking sheet. You may want to cover the baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.

Serve warm or at room temperature in a large bowl. And to make it even more decadent, add a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Pro Tips

• I strongly recommend using a baking sheet under your skillet. The fruits will cook in the oven and bubble over, so if you do not want to clean a sticky mess for days, you can use something under your skillet to catch it all.
• Frozen blackberries work well with this recipe, be sure to add them at the last minute. Once thawed, they will become mushy during the cooking and baking process, and you will not have that beautiful berry consistency.
• Use the butter chilled with your flour to produce the best topping. Melted butter will render the dough too thick and prevent it from rising and becoming flaky.

What to serve with Blackberry Cobbler

Vanilla ice cream is my first, second, and third choice.

Some perfectly whipped Chantilly is also very delicious over it.

Blackberry CobblerPhoto byGiangi's Kitchen - Giangi Townsend

Ingredients needed to make your easy Blackberry Cobbler recipe

FOR THE COBBLER

• 32 ounces frozen blackberries
• 12 ounces fresh blackberries
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 1 cup brown sugar, firlmy packed
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon cardamon
• ¼ teaspoon orange peel
• ¼ cup corn starch
• 3 tablespoons water

FOR THE TOPPING

• 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup sugar, + 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream

OPTIONAL

• 1 tablespoon sanding sugar

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375°.
• In a 10 – inch cast iron skillet, stir together the blackberries, brown sugar, orange juice, vanilla extract, cardamom and orange peel over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, and cook until juice is released from blackberries and mixture is hot and bubbly, approximately 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water. Slowly add to berry mixture, stirring to combine. Cook until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• In a medium bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add butter. Combine with fingertips until crumbly. Add cream and stir gently until biscuit like dough forms.
• Tear dough into 3-inch round pieces: arrange over berries. Sprinkle with sanding sugar.
• Bake until topping is lightly browned, 30 minutes.

If you enjoy this Blackberry Cobbler recipe, you may want to try my other recipes.

Buttermilk Biscuits

10 Summer Dessert Recipes

Iceberg Wedges Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

Pomegranate, Blackberries Sauce with Pork Tenderloin

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Meet Chef Giangi

Blackberry CobblerPhoto byGiangi's Kitchen - Giangi Townsend

I am a passionate cook, recipe developer, author, and food photographer with 14 years of food blogging experience. Inspired by my French and Italian heritage, I work with other chefs, both foreign and domestic, and have had countless discussions with chefs at famous restaurants globally. I enjoy sharing these creative culinary delights in simple, straightforward, easy-to-understand recipes.

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