Hello there, friendos! I am Dalia Makhoul, a Lebanese photographer and environmental activist, and I’m so excited to share with you my recipe for a juicy Southern-style Blackberry Cobbler that’s perfect for Juneteenth Celebrations! This is a dessert that anyone can make and enjoy with their loved ones while celebrating freedom and unity. The best part about his cobbler is the combination of sweet and tart flavors, making it a delightful treat that will have everyone asking for seconds. Don’t worry if you’re not a seasoned baker, this recipe is fool-proof and will make you look like a pro!
Dalia is a Lebanese photographer and environmental activist who grew up in the heart of Beirut. She’s passionate about capturing nature, storytelling and exploring diverse cultures. Her photos have been published in several magazines and exhibited internationally.
Dalia Makhoul currently resides in the United States and grew up in Lebanon.
Growing up in Lebanon, I was surrounded by beautiful landscapes and fresh and flavorful ingredients. Blackberries, in particular, hold a special place in my heart, as they are abundant in Lebanon during the summer months. When I moved to the United States, I found that blackberries were also a staple in Southern cuisine, especially in desserts. Even though I’m far from home, making this Blackberry Cobbler recipe triggers memories of picking and enjoying fresh blackberries with my family, while celebrating life’s little moments.
Did you know that the origins of the Blackberry Cobbler recipe can be traced back to the British settlers who brought their version of a fruit-filled pastry to America? Over time, the recipe evolved and became a staple in Southern cuisine, with variations from state to state. Cobbler can also be made with other fruits like peach, apple, and blueberries, making it a versatile dessert option. In fact, some believe that cobbler earned its name from its uneven or ‘cobbled’ texture due to the varied areas of fruit exposure. Regardless of its origins, one thing is for sure – a warm slice of cobbler with vanilla ice cream is always a crowd-pleaser!
What you need
Celebrate Juneteenth in style with my Southern-style blackberry cobbler recipe! The recipe starts with juicy blackberries, tossed with sugar and lemon juice to bring out their natural sweetness and tartness. For the crust, whisk together flour and butter into a rough pastry, adding sugar and a sprinkle of salt for that craveable balance of sweet and savory. Once assembled, the cobbler is popped into a preheated oven to bake to golden brown, with the fruit juice bubbling around the crispy edges. The result is a delicious dessert perfect for any Freedom Day feast or summer gathering. Enjoy this iconic Southern staple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, and let this simple pleasure take you back to good times spent with loved ones.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour – A staple in any kitchen, this versatile flour forms the base of the cobbler’s crust, and can be swapped with gluten-free flour for a celiac-safe version.
- Granulated sugar – The backbone of the cobbler’s sweetness, this fine white sugar is critical in bringing out the fruit’s flavors. It can be swapped with a blend of honey and maple syrup for a healthier option.
- Baking powder – This leavening agent is essential for a fluffy, soft crust. Use it to create more air bubbles in your mix for a lighter texture.
- Salt – Table salt helps balance the flavors of your recipe, by reducing the sweetness and enhancing the fruit flavors. Use a good quality flaky sea salt for a pop of texture.
- Butter – A Southern classic, butter adds richness and a velvety texture to the crust. For vegans, swap it with a good quality non-dairy butter or margarine.
- Whole milk – Recreating the creamy texture of a true Southern blackberry cobbler, whole milk binds the pastry together and adds some nuttiness to the flavor profile. For a lactose-free option, you can use unsweetened almond or soy milk.
- Blackberries – One of the stars of the dessert, these sweet and tart berries are the perfect complement to the rich crust and add a pop of color to the dish. You can swap it with frozen blueberries or raspberries if you prefer.
- Lemon juice – A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds some brightness to the sweetness of the blackberries and makes the dessert more balanced.
- Cornstarch – This binding agent helps thicken the berry mixture and prevents it from becoming runny during cooking. You can use flour as a subsitute if you don’t have any cornstarch.
Utensils:
- Mixing bowl – An essential part of any baker’s kit, you can use any mixing bowl size to fit your needs.
- Pie dish – Use a 9×13 inch baking dish to fit this recipe.
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Spatula – Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to mix the dough and the berries together more evenly and gently, without overmixing.
- Pastry cutter – This kitchen tool helps cut the butter into small pieces, which is important for the dough to become flaky and fluffy. If you don’t have one, you can use a fork.
- Oven
Blackberries
As a Southerner, blackberries hold a special place in my heart and in my recipe rotation. These tart and juicy fruits were in abundance in my family’s backyard, and my grandma would often make cobblers with them similar to the one we are discussing here. They are packed with vitamins, fibers and antioxidants that help boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion. In this recipe, the blackberries provide a sweet and tart flavor that melts in your mouth along with the buttery crust. Due to their high amounts of Vitamin C, they can be consumed in moderation to help maintain a healthy diet. So let’s celebrate Juneteenth with a nostalgic nod to Southern blackberries and this timeless dessert!
Butter
As a self-proclaimed butter enthusiast, I believe that this ingredient makes everything taste better, especialy a Juneteenth cobbler. It imparts richness and flavor to the crust by coating the flour particles and creating air pockets during baking to make it flaky and tender. Butter is a good source of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, and it has been linked to cognitive function, hormone balance, and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Although butter is not usually considered a health food,when consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet, it can provide some health benefits. So let’s indulge in a pat of butter for this recipe and remember how the Southern States have contributed to American culinary history!
What to serve it with?
I absolutely love pairing this Blackberry Cobbler recipe with a scoop (or two) of creamy vanilla ice cream! The contrast of the warm, flaky cobbler with the cold, smooth ice cream is simply irresistible. Every time I eat this dessert, I am transported to a happy place, where I’m surrounded by colorful flowers, chirping birds, and my loved ones. It’s the perfect ending to a summer barbecue or an intimate dinner party. Trust me, once you try this combo, you’ll never want to have your cobbler with anything else again!
Summary
In conclusion, I hope you enjoyed reading about my Southern-style Blackberry Cobbler recipe and the significance that it holds for Juneteenth Celebrations. I urge you to give this recipe a try, and discover for yourself why it is truly a crowd-pleaser. Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below, and let me know what your favorite fruit cobbler recipes are. I truly believe that sharing recipes is a way of sharing stories and bringing people together, and I would love nothing more than to continue this tradition with you all. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and let’s bake something that will bring joy and nourishment to all those who share it with us!
Here’s the recipe:
Freedom Day Feast: Celebrating Juneteenth with Southern-Style Blackberry Cobbler
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Pie Dish
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- spatula
- Pastry cutter
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
- 3/4 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 cup Butter
- 1/2 cup Whole milk
- 4 cups Blackberries
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
Instructions
- Step 1 - Prep the blackberries - Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Rinse the blackberries under cool running water and pick out any debris or stems. Transfer the berries to a large mixing bowl and drizzle evenly with lemon juice. Add 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar and 2 tbsp of cornstarch to the berries, and mix gently until they are coated. If using frozen berries, thaw them at room temperature and drain any excess liquid before mixing. - Be patient not to overmix the berries, as their delicate texture can break down easily. Keep them as whole as possible, so they don't release too much juice during baking.
- Step 2 - Make the dough - In a separate mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add in the 1/2 cup of softened butter and mix with a pastry cutter or a fork to create a crumbly mixture. Pour in the 1/2 cup of whole milk and use a rubber spatula to mix until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix or the crust will become tough. - Work fast to keep the butter from melting and mix it until the largest bits of butter are the size of peas. Use your hands to bring the dough together if needed, but do not knead the dough.
- Step 3 - Assemble the cobbler - Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter. Transfer the blackberry mixture into the dish and make sure it is evenly distribute. Take a spoon or your fingers to drop pieces of dough on the top of the berries in a random pattern, within half an inch of each other. Leave gaps in between, to allow the hot berry filling to bubble up and thicken. - If you prefer, you can roll out the dough on a floured surface and then transfer it on top of the berries in one piece, trimming the excess dough that hangs over the edges.
- Step 4 - Bake to perfection - Bake the cobbler in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top of the crust is golden brown and crispy, and the berries are bubbling up the sides. Take out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm with some vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence. - Don't open the oven door too often during baking, as it can release heat and affect the rising of the dough. Take time to gauge the goldenness of the crust and use your nose to sniff the notes of the baked blackberries.
