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This Old Fashioned Southern Blackberry Cobbler Recipe is a classic dessert made with a buttery crust over a sweet and bubbly fresh blackberry mixture for the ultimate treat when served with ice cream.
If you're craving more berry dessert recipes then be sure to try making an Easy Berry Crisp or Creamy Berry Trifle Dessert. Also for another fruit cobbler recipe, try making Easy Peach Cobbler.

Now I have made blackberry cobbler before, but this time I decided to challenge myself by making a homemade flaky buttery crust that can be prepared up to six hours prior to making the cobbler. I decided to do this instead of making the usual softer dough that cooks up light and fluffy with a biscuit-like consistency.
Either way is fine but there is just something about having a hand-rolled crust that makes a really good pie. Especially when it blankets over tart bubbly blackberries with a big scoop of your favorite ice cream to top it all off. Am I making you hungry yet?
So why did I choose to make blackberry cobbler you ask?
Well, that’s a great question. I was actually on a day date that included a trip to Whole Foods. The organic blackberries were on sale, they looked amazing, and blackberries are my absolute favorite berry to eat this time of year.
Actually, come to think of it, they are my favorite berry period.
As a child being raised in the south, I remember stumbling upon blackberries growing in the wild. These berries would be picked and loaded in the front make-shift holder of the bottom of my shirt and taken to the nearest water hose so they could be quickly washed off and eaten. I actually still can find the occasional wild blackberries growing in my yard.
Anyway enough about berries, be sure to give this Blackberry Cobbler a try.
Let's get started!
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Ingredients You'll Need

- Fresh Blackberries - The main ingredient in this cobbler recipe is juicy blackberries. You will need at least six cups of fresh blackberries to make the fruit filling. Use organic or conventional whichever you prefer, but be sure to wash/clean your berries well to remove any debris.
- All-Purpose Flour - Plain all-purpose flour is needed to combine with the other dry ingredients to make the top crust to cover the blackberry mixture. This ingredient helps to make our crust flaky.
- Baking Powder - Be sure to check the date to make sure that it has not expired before use. This ingredient will help to give our pie crust dough a great texture.
- Sugar - Granulated sugar or cane sugar is needed to sweeten the crust and the berry mixture.
- Salt - Helps to balance the ingredients and keep them from tasting flat. I prefer to use kosher salt for baking.
- Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg - Great warming spices that give out cobbler that classic flavor.
- Butter - Cold butter is needed to make the pie crust to top the fruit cobbler.
- Heavy Cream - This will help to make the dough and bring the ingredients together to form the dough. It will also be used to brush on top of the crust before baking.
- Cornstarch - Helps to thicken the blackberry filling. Make sure that you check the date on the package to make sure that it has not passed.
- Lemon Zest - Add a nice punch of fresh citrus flavor to balance the sweetness of the filling.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.
Step By Step Instructions
Begin the recipe by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. and butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until combined.
Using a pastry blender, fork, or clean hands, add the cubed butter to the flour mixture and blend the butter into the flour mixture until the butter is about pea-sized and the flour mixture resembles a coarse meal.


Pour the heavy cream over the flour mixture and stir until it is fully combined and forms a soft dough. The dough will be soft and sticky, do not overwork or it will be tough. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper and cover it with another sheet.
Use a rolling pin to gently roll the dough into a 9-inch round shape. Place the dough on a baking sheet, covered with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator while preparing the blackberry filling.

In a large bowl, make the filling by gently stirring together the fresh blackberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon zest until mixed together. Pour the filling into the prepared baking dish.


Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and cut a 2-inch wide hole in the center with a cookie cutter to create a steam vent. Carefully place the dough on top of the blackberry filling and brush lightly the top of the dough with heavy cream and evenly sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Place the pie into the oven to bake for about 55 to 60 minutes, until the top is golden and the fruit is bubbling. Carefully remove the cobbler from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes before serving. Serve the blackberry cobbler warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Be sure not to overwork the dough to prevent it from being tough. Just mix it enough until it sticks together to form a soft dough.
- Topping the crust with cinnamon sugar is optional but it really gives it an additional layer of flavor. Just mix together 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon with 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar to make it yourself or use the premixed spice blend.
- Use fresh blackberries and not frozen. You could substitute fresh raspberries or a mixture of them both in the same unit of measure.
Storage
Be sure to store any leftover or unused portions of cobbler in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You may cover the pie plate tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Serve cold or reheat it in the microwave or oven on low heat.
Unfortunately, this dessert does not freeze well and is best enjoyed shortly after making it.


More Recipes You'll Love
- Easy Berry Crisp
- Blackberry Macarons
- Creamy Berry Trifle Dessert
- Blackberry Thyme Mocktail
- Blackberry Thyme Margarita
- Easy Peach Cobbler
Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to enjoy this Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler? Please share them in the comments below!
Recipe

Old Fashioned Southern Blackberry Cobbler Recipe
Ingredients
- Cobbler Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 6 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- ¾ cup cold heavy cream
- Cobbler Filling:
- 6 cups fresh blackberries
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- additional heavy cream for brushing the top of the crust
- cinnamon sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Begin the recipe by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. and butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg until combined.
- Using a pastry blender, fork, or clean hands, add the 6 tablespoons cubed butter to the flour mixture and blend the butter into the flour mixture until the butter is about pea-sized and the flour mixture resembles a coarse meal.
- Pour the ¾ cup heavy cream over the flour mixture and stir until it is fully combined and forms a soft dough. The dough will be soft and sticky, do not overwork or it will be tough. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper and cover it with another sheet.
- Use a rolling pin to gently roll the dough into a 9-inch round shape. Place the dough on a baking sheet, covered with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator while preparing the blackberry filling.
- In a large bowl, make the filling by gently stirring together the 6 cups fresh blackberries, ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon lemon zest until mixed together. Pour the filling into the prepared baking dish.
- Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and cut a 2-inch wide hole in the center with a cookie cutter to create a steam vent. Carefully place the dough on top of the blackberry filling and brush lightly the top of the dough with heavy cream and evenly sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Place the pie into the oven to bake for about 55 to 60 minutes, until the top is golden and the fruit is bubbling. Carefully remove the cobbler from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes before serving. Serve the blackberry cobbler warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure not to overwork the dough to prevent it from being tough. Just mix it enough until it sticks together to form a soft dough.
- Topping the crust with cinnamon sugar is optional but it really gives it an additional layer of flavor. Just mix together 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon with 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar to make it yourself or use the premixed spice blend.
- Use fresh blackberries and not frozen. You could substitute fresh raspberries or a mixture of them both in the same unit of measure.
Nutrition
*All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
Original post date 01/31/2018. Updated 03/17/2023.

Mary
Can you believe I’ve never had Blackberry Cobbler? But I will admit I’ve never met a cobbler I didn’t like, which is why I’ll never be a size 6 and I’m good with that. OMG, I haven’t had Banana Pudding. I’m loving the Black History Month Virtual Potluck! That Creole Seafood Courtbouillon looks divine.
LaKita
Thank you! Yes, the Creole Seafood Courtbouillon looks so delicious! You must give Blackberry Cobbler a try... it's so good!
Sonya
I can't wait to visit some of these other bloggers in the potluck. 🙂 There are so many yummy sounding dishes being shared.
LaKita
Thank you! There are so many delicious recipes this year...Check them out!
LaKita
Hi Renee! Frozen blackberries should work with no changes, just be sure they are completely frozen without thawing them out. Hope this helps!
Marta
I love blackberry cobbler and this one is up there among the best I've ever eaten. I love how straightforward, yet thorough your recipe is. It guaranteed success for me.
LaKita
Thank you so much Marta!! Happy to hear that it's a success 🙂
Veronika
I love a good cobbler, especially in the summer made with fresh berries! The lemon zest and blackberry combo was really delicious.
LaKita
Thank you Veronika! I love a good cobbler as well 🙂
Bernice
Now that sounds like my ideal date!
Seriously, though I love how everyday actions inspire people's cooking. It's fascinating to me. I don't live in a place with access to blackberries so I've never had a blackberry cobbler. I could try this recipe with raspberries though, and it will be FAB.
LaKita
Thank you Bernice! I love when unplanned food inspiration happens!! Raspberries will work just as well.
Sean
So I was over here minding my own business when I realized I had all these blackberries I needed to use. Your blackberry cobbler was PERFECT for them and it was so tasty.
LaKita
Thank you Sean, perfect timing!!
Jessica
Great dessert! Cobblers are one of my faves, and this one had such a homemade feel to it, just perfect. Crunchy, but chewy, satisfying crust with the tartness of the berry mixture, like my mom used to make!!!
LaKita
Thank you Jessica, that makes me happy to hear 🙂
Elaine
This cobbler is absolutely stunning! I am amazed that you went for the buttery crust this time. It does take a lot of time but the result is super rewarding!
LaKita
Thank you so much Elaine!!
Ann
This cobbler was super tasty! We put some vanilla ice cream on top, which made it extra delicious! Will make this again!
LaKita
Thank you Ann, we prefer it with vanilla ice cream as well 🙂
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
Out of all the berries, blackberries are my favorite This is on the menu this week. It sounds SO incredible and that crust is everything! Going to grab some ice cream for on top of this! Hopefully, I can wait long enough for it to cool 🙂
LaKita
Thank you Lori, blackberries are a favorite here as well 🙂
Tammy
Ooh Spring is the season of berry pies! A blackberry cobbler sounds like heaven to me right now with a dollop of fresh cream. This is beautiful!
LaKita
Thank you Tammy, hope you get a chance to try it!
Hayley Dhanecha
One of my favourite comforting and easy dessert recipe is cobbler. This blackberry version was so good, family came for seconds!!
LaKita
Thank you Hayley, we also love a good cobbler 🙂