Food

Blueberry Cobbler Recipe: 3 Tips for Making Blueberry Cobbler

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Sep 13, 2024 • 2 min read

Blueberry cobbler is one of the few summer desserts worth turning on the oven for in the middle of a heatwave.

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What Is a Blueberry Cobbler?

Blueberry cobbler is a baked dessert that pairs juicy, baked blueberries with a fluffy, sweet biscuit-style topping. Like blueberry pie without the fuss of pie dough, blueberry cobbler offers a flexible format with reliably stunning results. Variations include stone fruits like plum or peach cobbler or other summer berries, like strawberry or blackberry cobbler.

Using Frozen vs. Fresh Blueberries in Blueberry Cobbler

You can make blueberry cobbler with fresh or frozen blueberries. Unlike other baked fruit desserts, like a pound cake or quick bread, the excess liquid from frozen blueberries won’t affect the final texture. The juices will thicken (thanks to a bit of cornstarch) as the topping bakes.

If they’re in season, use fresh blueberries: The flavors will be brighter and bolder. Taste and adjust to control the sugar content.

3 Tips for Making Blueberry Cobbler

The best blueberry cobbler features a fruit filling that’s juicy but not too runny and a balanced blend of sweet and tart, crowned with a golden-brown top layer that soaks up the juice without turning to mush. Consider these tips before making your own take on this easy dessert:

  1. 1. Adjust the sweetness to preference. Depending on the quality of the blueberries you’re using, include anywhere from a ¼ to a ½ cup of sugar.
  2. 2. Season the blueberries with herbs and spices. Get creative with add-ins: Add lemon zest directly to the biscuit batter or blueberry mixture for brightness, thyme or lavender for breezy aromatics, or ground cardamom for warmth.
  3. 3. Make individual portions in ramekins. If you’re serving a crowd, make the blueberry dessert in one big baking dish, or portion it into personal ramekins before baking.

Easy Blueberry Cobbler Recipe

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makes

1 9x13 baking dish

prep time

10 min

total time

55 min

cook time

45 min

Ingredients

For the filling:

For the topping:

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 380°F.

  2. 2

    Combine the blueberries, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme, and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Stir to incorporate, and set the berry mixture aside.

  3. 3

    In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cubed butter, and work it into the flour mixture with your hands until it resembles coarse bread crumbs.

  4. 4

    Whisk a ½ cup of buttermilk, egg, and vanilla together in a glass measuring cup or small bowl; add it to the flour and butter mixture and stir together with your hands or a rubber spatula, just until combined.

  5. 5

    Transfer the blueberries to a large baking dish. Use your hands to tear off a ½ cup of pieces of dough, and place it over the surface. Brush the dough with the remaining tablespoons of buttermilk, and then sprinkle with Demerara sugar. Bake until the tops are golden brown and juices are thick and bubbling, about 45 minutes.

  6. 6

    Remove the pan from the oven. Let the cobbler cool slightly before serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

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