Blackberry Crumble with vanilla ice cream served on a yellow edged plate with a spoon.

Blackberry Crumble

What to do with lots of blackberries? Make Blackberry Crumble! Sweet blackberries nestled in a cake-like crumble topping is perfect with ice cream!

Blackberry Crumble with vanilla ice cream served on a yellow edged plate with a spoon.
Blackberry Crumble

Got blackberries? Make Blackberry Crumble! Sweet and juicy blackberries nestled in a cake-like crumble topping is the ultimate summer dessert with ice cream! If you love blackberry cobbler, you’ll love this blackberry recipe!

Blackberry Crumble in a ceramic pie dish on a wooden board.

Blackberries don’t get enough attention, it seems. They’re like the red-headed stepchild of the berry world, and I do feel guilty for using that expression, but it seems to be true when you think about how strawberries and blueberries seem to get all the love when berries come into season.

The thing is, when you bite into a perfect blackberry, it can be the most exquisite thing in the world. But if you bite into one that’s just a wee too tart, what to do? Bake, of course! Transform those berries into something irresistible.

If you find yourself with a lot of blackberries — sweet, tart, fresh, or frozen — set some aside to make Blackberry Crumble! It’s one of summer’s great pleasures, and so simple to make!

Blackberry Crumble with vanilla ice cream served on a yellow edged plate with a spoon.

How to Make Blackberry Crumble

Crumbles, crisps, and cobblers, oh my! Nothing screams summer like one of these classic fruit desserts. Sometimes it seems as if the lines blur when it comes to telling them apart, but in general, a crisp usually has oats (see how to make my Blueberry Crisp for a classic example), a cobbler has a biscuit-like topping (such as my Blueberry Rhubarb Cobbler, and a crumble is sort of in-between. It has a streusel-like topping without the oat, and somewhat similar to cobbler, with chunks of dough on top.

This particular crumble is very cake-like in texture and rather than just topping the fruit with the dough, it is rather sandwiched between the doughy goodness. Between you and me, I think I prefer a crumble to a cobbler! (But if you wanted to transform this into a blackberry cobbler, then you absolutely could by simply halving the dough recipe and for the topping.) There’s something utterly magical with the juicy berries baking in between layers of sweet crumble topping!

Step by step instructions for how to make blackberry crumble: mixing the flour.

The dough is very simple to make by hand, but if you have a food processor, you could definitely use it. I prefer making it by hand (less dishes to wash!), plus cutting in the butter is very cathartic.

Step by step instructions for how to make blackberry crumble: cutting in the butter and adding egg.

This crumble topping is especially tender from the egg and a splash of vinegar; it reminds me of my mother in law’s pie dough — a little apple cider vinegar goes a long way to make for a tender crust!

Step by step instructions for how to make blackberry crumble: pressing dough into the dish and making the filling.

Once the crumble mixture is ready, all you need to do is press half of the mixture into the baking dish into an even layer, much like a shortbread crust. Drop in your berries, top with more crumble, and pop it into the oven!

Step by step instructions for how to make blackberry crumble: spreading the crumble on top and freshly baked crumble.

The hardest part will be waiting for it to cool a bit, but do not worry, I won’t blame you if you dig in sooner. Just don’t forget the ice cream!

More Blackberry Recipes

Blackberry Yogurt Muffins
Blackberry and Blueberry Kale Salad with Aged Havarti
Blackberry Beet Salad with Blackberry Balsamic Dressing
Blackberry Green Smoothie
Sticky Blackberry Barbecued Pork Ribs

Blackberry Crumble in a ceramic pie dish on a wooden board.

Blackberry Crumble

What to do with lots of blackberries? Make Blackberry Crumble! Sweet blackberries nestled in a cake-like crumble topping is perfect with ice cream! You can use fresh or frozen blackberries.
Blackberry Crumble with vanilla ice cream served on a yellow edged plate with a spoon.
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5 from 7 votes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 408kcal

Ingredients

Crumble

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter cut in small cubes
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Filling

  • 4 cups blackberries fresh or frozen
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about half a medium lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F with a rack placed in the center of the oven.
  • Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Cut the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers. Mix in the vanilla, egg, and vinegar and stir together until the dough comes together and the flour is fully incorporated.
  • Place half of the dough into a 2-quart baking dish or deep-dish pie pan. Scatter it evenly to cover the bottom of the pan and press it down to make an even layer.
  • Combine the blackberries, sugar and cornstarch in a bowl, and toss to mix. Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest. Place the blackberry mixture in the baking dish and spread evenly.
  • Spread the remaining topping evenly over the fruit, using your fingers to clump some of the dough. Bake until the top is light brown and crisp, about 40-45 minutes.
  • Remove the crumble from the oven and cool on a wire rack for about 30 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream.

Notes

Adapted from Ultimate Berry Crumble, AllRecipes.
Make ahead:
You can easily assemble the topping or the whole crisp in advance. Cover tightly and place in the freezer until you are ready to bake. That makes one less thing to worry about when you’re entertaining!
Make it vegan:
Fruit crumble is easy to make vegan. Simply substitute the butter for your favorite vegan butter (I especially love using Miyoko’s vegan butter, which is available at most major grocery stores). Serve with non-dairy ice cream.
Can I use frozen blackberries?
Yes, absolutely. This can come in handy when blackberries are not in season.

Nutrition

Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 86mg | Potassium: 202mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 720IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see! Tag @kitchconfidante on Instagram and hashtag it #kitchenconfidante

Comments

Recipe Rating




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  1. Marissa

    5 stars
    Absolutely outstanding. Made it in a 10 inch cast iron pan and served with vanilla bean ice cream – it turned out perfect. We had company over for dinner and it was an absolute hit for dessert. Everyone raved over it and even went back for seconds! Perfect for a dinner of 4! :) SO YUMMY!!!! This will be our staple blackberry dessert recipe in our house from now on!

    Reply
  2. Rhonda

    5 stars
    Hi! Made this recipe and it was eonderful…I was wondering….could I use frozen bluberries and if so….would itbbe 4 cups?

    Reply
  3. Susan Lundahl

    5 stars
    An outstanding recipe! I was looking for a change from blackberry pie, which usually bubbles up and makes a mess. This recipe is the perfect substitute for pie. Much easier, too. The crisp “crust” is much like pie crust, but more delicious. The addition of lemon juice and zest really adds flavour. I live by a big blackberry patch so NEED a good blackberry dessert recipe. This one I will make often now! With vanilla ice cream, true summery heaven.,

    Reply
    • Liren Baker

      Thank you so much, Susan!! You’re right, this is so much easier than pie! How I wish I lived near a blackberry patch, too, that sounds like summer bliss :) Thank you again for coming back to let me know how much you loved it!

      Reply
  4. Sheri MacDougall

    5 stars
    My son and I picked blackberries yesterday. We made the crumble and it was absolutely delicious. Sweet and tart and satisfying. We will definitely make it again!

    Reply
    • Liren Baker

      How I wish I could go blackberry picking! What a wonderful way to use them – so glad you enjoyed it, Sheri!

      Reply
  5. Linnette

    5 stars
    Picked fresh blackberries in my backyard this morning and used this recipe for a dessert tonight. Loved by all!

    Reply
    • Liren Baker

      Linette, how wonderful that you have homegrown blackberries! I bet they were incredible in this crumble, and I’m so glad that everyone loved it!

      Reply
  6. Sydni P.

    Wow!! Made this this morning (for breakfast!!) and it was absolutely amazing!!!! Not too sweet so the blackberries were the highlight, the crumble crust was perfection!!!

    Reply
  7. Sabrina

    5 stars
    blackberry pie or crumble, love either. better to me than strawberry. blueberry or even apple, tie for me with rhubarb, great time of year for this too, saving for the weekend, thank you!

    Reply
    • Liren Baker

      I’ll take all the blackberry desserts, but I agree rhubarb rocks! I actually made a blackberry rhubarb cake last night, so easy!

      Reply
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