Filled with perfectly sweetened blackberries with a dash of bourbon and a hint of vanilla, this Blackberry Cobbler is incredible! It’s topped with a delicious golden brown buttery topping that seals in all the yumminess! This easy berry cobbler is the perfect dessert for any time of year!

freshly baked blackberry cobbler in a baking pan with a couple servings missing and a serving spoon inside.

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Easy Blackberry Cobbler Recipe

I absolutely love a good fruit cobbler! To me, it’s like a cross between a crumble and a fruit pie, but with more of a cake-like topping and so much easier to make than pie! No dough making, but all the same deliciousness of a warm fruit dessert. You can’t beat that!

And this Blackberry Cobbler recipe is a tad special! Just like my Peach Upside Down Cake, I added a dash of booze! Yes, there is a touch of bourbon in this recipe. Why you ask!?! It adds a lovely layer of depth that blends perfectly with the sweetness of the berries and vanilla that takes this recipe to the next level. Yet, you don’t have to add it if you don’t wish, but I’m telling you it’s a delicious spin on this classic!

Also, I decided to use fresh blackberries while they are still looking good. But frozen will work just as well. That’s one of the great things about cobblers. They are a fantastic way to use fresh seasonal fruit or even frozen fruit, which means it’s a dessert you can make year-round. I even make cobbler in January when it’s freezing outside!

a serving of blackberry cobbler with whipped cream on a white plate.

Why You’ll Love This Blackberry Cobbler

Beginner Bakers Welcome! The recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and is so easy even for the most novice bakers including kids.
Sweet Comforting Classic! This blackberry cobbler with its warm saucy berry filling with a dash of bourbon and yummy golden brown cake-like crust is amazing.
Family Approved! This dessert is sure to make your whole family happy! And serve it to them with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and they will be asking for more.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Blackberry Filling

ingredients needed to make filling for blackberry cobbler.

Blackberries – You can use fresh or frozen berries for this recipe.
Sugar – I used basic white granulated sugar for some sweetness. Also the amount of sugar can easily be modified.
Bourbon – Any brand of bourbon will add a lovely sophisticated contrasting flavor to the sweetness of the berries.
Vanilla – Use pure vanilla extract if you have it on hand. It further develops the flavor combination of the blackberries and bourbon.

Topping

Flour – Basic all-purpose flour is all you need. Pastry flour also works well.
Sugar – White granulated sugar makes the topping sweet.
Baking Powder – Make sure to use baking powder and not baking soda. This leavening agent keeps the topping from being dense.
Salt – Just a bit of salt is essential to help balance all the flavors.
Lemon Zest – The acid of lemon zest is amazing with fruit cobblers.
Milk – Any kind will work including non-dairy varieties.
Egg – Helps to bind the topping batter together and adds a little richness.
Vanilla – Gives the topping flavor in combination with the butter and lemon zest.
Butter – Always use unsalted butter in all your baking to control the saltiness.

How To Make Blackberry Cobbler

There are 2 parts to this easy recipe. The blackberry filling and the topping. Both are super simple and the cobbler takes just minutes to assemble. Once it’s in the oven your work is done!

Preheat The Oven And Prep The Pan

Before you even begin making the cobbler you need to preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to get it nice and hot. Then spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. You can also grease it with oil if you prefer.

Make The Blackberry Filling

process shots showing how to make blackberry cobbler.

Now, it’s time to make the blackberry filling! Just toss blackberries together with ¾ cup of the sugar along with the bourbon and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. And that’s it! You don’t even have to cook the filling ahead of time. Now, put the blackberry filling in the prepared baking dish and set it aside for a later step.

Mix Together The Cobbler Batter

To start, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Then mix in the lemon zest.

Next, in a separate small bowl, whisk the milk, egg, and vanilla extract together. Now, add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir to combine. Then mix in the melted butter. Finally, pour the batter evenly over the berry mixture in the baking dish.

Bake And Serve

With the cobbler assembled, now put it in the oven to bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until it’s golden brown on top. Then once it’s done, serve it warm with a big scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, and enjoy!

Can I Use Other Types Of Fruit?

Yes! You can easily substitute any type of fruit in place of the blackberries. Just follow the recipe exactly using the same ratios and it will come out great. Some good options are blueberries, raspberries, cherries, or a mixture of fruit. Or, you can give my Peach Cobbler a try!

Can I Make Gluten-Free Cobbler?

Probably yes, but I’ve not tried. Just make sure to use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour that has xanthan gum in it, which acts as a replacement for the gluten that is naturally in all-purpose flour.

Expert Tips

Spray the pan well. Make sure to do a good job of greasing the baking dish so that the blackberry cobbler doesn’t stick.
Use the lemon zest. Don’t forget to add the lemon zest to the cobbler batter. It complements the blackberries and adds depth along with the bourbon.
Don’t thaw frozen blackberries. If you are using frozen blackberries there is no need to first thaw them and I recommend that you don’t.

Storage

Leftover blackberry cobbler will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days when covered with plastic wrap. To reheat, I recommend putting it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 to 10 minutes or until warm.

Blackberry Cobbler