Name: Old Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 4 cups blackberries; ½ cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons lemon zest; ¼ cup corn starch; ⅓ cup heavy cream; 1 large egg white; ⅓ teaspoon vanilla extract; ⅔ cup all purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar; 3 Tablespoons salted butter (cold)

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Sweet, juicy, and perfect for summer! This easy to make Old Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler is guaranteed to be your new go-to summertime bake. Every bite is layered with sweet early-season blackberries, bright and zesty lemon, and a hint of vanilla. Though, the goodness doesn’t stop there! The topping is a delicious flakey, buttery, and oh-so sweet biscuit that absorbs some of the juice from the blackberries to create a dessert that is simply irresistible. Be sure to serve this cobbler warm and with a scoop of ice cream on top! It’s truly the perfect easy-to-make dessert to enjoy with your friends and family this spring/summer. YUM!

blackberry cobbler in round white pan on a round black wire cooling rack with a scoop of ice cream and three fresh blackberries on top of cobbler, with more berries and flowers surrounding dish on marble surface with white napkin and white plate beside.

About The Recipe

It might be a tinsy bit early for a blackberry-centric recipe, but we couldn’t wait any longer! One of my mom and I’s favorite berries is 100% blackberries. We look forward to them every summer!

Though, this year, we have been getting the sweetest and juiciest blackberries really early. We just knew we had to make something with them!

cropped overhead closeup of spoon in blackberry cobbler.

angled shot of blackberry cobbler on wire cooling rack with flowers and blackberries around, two white plates, and empty glasses behind.

Enter this blackberry cobbler.

Whenever we have fresh fruit, one of our favorite desserts to make (and eat!) is a cobbler. I mean, it’s such a simple dessert that really allows the fruit to shine.

So, when we had all these fresh and sweet blackberries on hand, we knew exactly what to make.

Though, the best part about this recipe, in our opinion, is how EASY it really is!

All there is to it is mixing up the biscuit topping and then mixing the fruit with a handful of other ingredients, placing it all together in the pan, and baking! It’s so flavorful and pretty that you would think its so much more effort than it is.

spoon in blackberry cobbler with spoonful of cobbler on plates beside, with berries and flowers around.

It’s the perfect dessert for spring/summer holiday’s or simply when you have blackberries and want to make something delicious!

What’s The Difference Between a Crisp, Crumble, and Cobbler?

While all of these desserts are very similar, there are some differences! When it comes to crisps and crumbles they are, essentially, the same thing. Baked fruit with a crunchy topping. A crisp tends to have oats in the topping while a crumble does not.

Then, there’s cobbler! Yet another delicious baked fruit dessert, but totally in a league of its own. Instead of a crunchy topping comprising of butter, brown sugar, oats, etc. It typically has a biscuit-like topping or pie crust! For this recipe, we chose to make a shortcake-like topping (essentially a sweet biscuit) to better compliment the flavors of the blackberries.

Reasons You Will Love This Blackberry Cobbler

Made with only a handful of ingredients.
Fresh or frozen blackberries can be used!
An easy recipe to make vegan and/or gluten-free.
The perfect spring/summer dessert.
A real crowd pleaser!
Sweet without being too sweet.

angled shot of blackberry cobbler on wire cooling rack with spoonful of cobbler on stack of plates behind with spoon laying in dish with spoonful of berries.

Equipment Needed

Ingredients

Full ingredient amounts and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

For The Filling:

Blackberries – For this recipe, you can use fresh or frozen blackberries. If you use fresh, make sure the fruit is thoroughly washed and dried, as well as no rotten pieces or stems.
Granulated Sugar – Adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
Lemon Zest – A little bit of lemon zest really helps brighten this cobbler and add just a little bit of summery flavor!
Corn Starch – Using corn starch thickens the filling!

frozen blackberries, lemon zest, sugar, and corn starch in glass bowls on marble surface.

For The Topping:

Heavy Cream – Using cream makes for a rich and delicious biscuit!
Egg White – Creates a more “cake-like” structure in the biscuit.
Vanilla Extract – A splash of vanilla gives the topping a little bit of flavor to compliment the blackberries.
All-Purpose Flour – Gives this biscuit the perfect structure and texture.
Baking Powder – Creates rise and gives the topping an airy and delicious texture.
Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps promote browning.
Salted Butter – Creates flaky layers that make this topping irresistible!

flour, sugar, egg white, butter, vanilla, milk, and baking powder on marble surface.

How To Make Blackberry Cobbler

Step 1: Prepare filling

In a large bowl, mix together blackberries, sugar, zest, and cornstarch.

frozen blackberries, lemon zest, corn starch, and sugar in large glass bowl.

Pour into prepared pan. Set aside.

juicy blackberry mixture in ceramic quiche pan.

Step 2: Make topping

In a small bowl, whisk together cream, egg white, and vanilla. Set aside.

egg, cream, and vanilla in small glass bowl.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and sugar.

flour, sugar, and baking powder in glass bowl.

Grate butter over the top of flour mixture. Gently toss together with a rubber spatula.

Add wet ingredients. Mix gently, just until combined.

Step 3: Top filling and bake

Drop by spoonfuls on top of blackberry mixture. Bake for 35 minutes, or until fruit is bubbly and topping is golden brown.

unbaked blackberry cobbler in ceramic dish.

baked blackberry cobbler in white ceramic quiche pan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can frozen blackberries be used?

Of course! Just make sure the blackberries aren’t sweetened.

Can I use a different fruit or a mix of fruit?

For this recipe, you can definitely use a different fruit (think, strawberries or cherries!) or even a mix of berries! Blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries all taste great together.

Why is the topping sticky?

It’s meant to be this way, don’t worry! We didn’t want a stiff biscuit as the topping, but something more buttery, flakey, and would melt a little bit as it baked.

How to know when the cobbler is done?

Visually, the best cue for a perfectly baked cobbler is a golden brown top and bubbling edges. If you’re unsure, you can use an instant read thermometer! A baked cobbler should read 200 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the topping (not the actual fruit filling!).

What To Serve With This Blackberry Cobbler

One of my favorite things about this cobbler is that it pairs with so many different things! Here’s a few of our favorites to share alongside this delicious cobbler.

cropped and angled close up of piece missing from cobbler with spoon resting in casserole.

How To Store

You can easily keep this in the fridge. Just cover with plastic wrap or foil and it should keep about 4-7 days.

Substitutions

You can use frozen blackberries for this recipe.
To make this cobbler vegan, use a vegan heavy whipping cream, your favorite vegan egg substitute (we like aquafaba) and your favorite plant-based butter.
To make this recipe gluten-free, use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
You can use a different berry or even a mix of berries for this recipe!

Looking for more recipes like this? Here are a few you may like: Blackberry Lavender Cupcakes, Old Fashioned Bourbon Peach Cobbler, Blackberry Turnovers, Mixed Berry Crisp, Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

overhead close up of blackberry cobbler on circle black wire cooling rack with scoop of ice cream and fresh blackberries on top, with more blackberries around and pink flowers.

Expert Tips

When making the filling, be careful to not smash/mush the blackberries!
Do not over mix the dough for the topping! It’s best to use a rubber spatula to fold/mix the cream into the dry ingredients.
Baking times may very depending on how your oven bakes. Keep an eye on it!
If you’er unsure if the cobbler is done, you can use an instant read thermometer. Place the thermometer in the thickest part of the topping and, if it reads around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, the cobbler is done.
Let the cobbler cool slightly before serving. The longer it cools, the less juicy it will be when you cut into it.

When you make this Old Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler, leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #BakersTable.

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Old Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler