Old Fashioned Southern Blackberry Dumplings in Crockpot

This is an Authentic Old fashioned Southern Blackberry Dumpling Recipe, made in a crockpot. It is traditional, Southern, and easy to make. It comes together in one pot and is perfect for summer.

Why Make This Blackberry Dumpling Recipe

This is a traditional, old fashioned dessert that Southern families have made for generations, especially during blackberry season in the summer. Love old fashioned summer desserts try this Old Fashioned Blackberry Crumble or this Summer Blackberry Cornbread or this Old Fashioned Southern Lemon Cobbler or this Blackberry Cobbler in Cast Iron Skillet or this No-Bake Mini Blackberry Cheesecake (Vegan)

It is a one pot crockpot dessert, which means less cleanup and a simple process from start to finish.

For summers you can try more of these favorite Crumble recipes Rhubarb Crumble or a summer classic Cherry Crumble with Oats Almond Butter Streusel with fresh cherries of the season, or this amazing Grandma's Classic Apple Crumble or take it a notch further to make these Jammy Raspberry Crumble Bars

The recipe sits somewhere between a cobbler and a pie. It has the soft, doughy texture of a dumpling combined with the juicy, fruit forward filling of a cobbler, all cooked together in one pot on the stove. It does not require an oven, which makes it a good choice for hot summer days.

Many families have their own version passed down from a grandmother or great grandmother, and this version keeps that same simple, unfussy approach.

The blackberry filling is naturally sweet and tart, and the biscuit like dumplings soak up all of that flavor as they cook. It is quick, it uses simple pantry ingredients, and it is a good way to use fresh blackberries when they are in season.

Crockpot Blackberry Dumpling

This is my favorite summer dessert recipe. Because its a simple crockpot dessert which means you do not have to heat up an oven and the whole family can enjoy a dessert they love.

Next its perfect to feed a crowd. Especially for summer bbq parties or July 4th parties this comes in handy.

Moreover its absolute best way to use up fresh local produce of Blackberries or any Summer berries you have. You can try this same recipe with Peaches or Strawberries or Blueberries or Raspberries - in a pinch make a triple berry dumpling in crockpot using all three berries. You can even use summer fruits like Peaches or Plum.

Ingredients You Will Need 🍽️

For the Blackberry Filling

• 4 cups fresh blackberries, washed
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Dumplings

• 2 cups self rising flour
• 1/2 cup chilled unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup cold milk

For Serving

• Lemon juice, to taste
• Ground cinnamon, for dusting
• Whipped cream
• Fresh mint leaves

Step by Step Instructions to make Blackberry Dumplings 🧑‍🍳

Step 1: Make the Blackberry filling in the slow cooker

• Add the washed blackberries to a crockpot along with the water and sugar.
• Cook on medium high heat for 2-3 hours or on high for 4 hours
• As the berries soften, use a spatula to mash some of them against the side of the pot.
• This releases their juice and thickens the mixture naturally.

Step 2: Make the Dumpling Dough

• In a mixing bowl, combine the self rising flour and salt.
• Add the chilled, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter to work it into the flour. Cut the butter in until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
• Using cold butter and cutting it in this way is an old trick that gives the dumplings a light, tender crust and helps them rise properly as they cook.
• Once the butter is fully worked in, slowly pour in the cold milk while mixing with a spoon or spatula.
• Stop mixing as soon as the dough comes together. It will be a little sticky, and that is normal.
• Do not overmix, since this can make the dumplings tough.

Step 3: Drop the Dumplings

• Using a cookie scooper, scoop the dough into even rounds and drop them directly into the simmering blackberry mixture.
• If you do not have a scooper, use two spoons instead.
• Scoop a spoonful of dough with one spoon and use the second spoon to push it off into the pot.
• This is the traditional method and gives the dumplings a slightly rustic, uneven shape, which is part of the charm of this dessert.

Step 4: Slow Cook for 30 min

• Once all the dumplings are in the pot, cover it with a lid and let everything simmer over low heat for about 30 min.
• Avoid lifting the lid too often, since the steam is what cooks the dumplings through.
• Check one dumpling near the end of cooking by cutting it open. It should be fully cooked through with no raw dough in the center.
• As the dumplings cook, they soak up the blackberry juice, which gives them their flavor and color.

Step 5: Serve

• Once the dumplings are cooked through, remove the pot from heat. Spoon the dumplings and blackberry sauce into serving bowls.
• Add a light squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the top to brighten the flavor, then dust with a little ground cinnamon.
• Top each bowl with a dollop of whipped cream and a fresh mint leaf before serving. This dessert is best enjoyed warm.

Variations and Alterations

This recipe works well with other summer fruits, so feel free to swap the blackberries for strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or peaches. The method stays the same regardless of which fruit you choose.

If you want to save time, you can use store bought biscuit dough instead of making the dumpling dough from scratch.

This cuts the preparation time roughly in half and still gives good results, since the biscuit dough cooks the same way in the simmering fruit.

You can also mix different berries together for a combined flavor, or use frozen fruit instead of fresh when berries are out of season. If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the sugar in the filling by a few tablespoons, since riper fruit is naturally sweeter and may need less added sugar.

Storage Instructions

Let any leftover dumplings cool to room temperature before storing. Place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

The dumplings will continue to absorb the berry juice as they sit, so the flavor often gets stronger the next day.

To reheat, place the desired portion in a small pot over low heat with a splash of water, and warm gently until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 30 to 45 seconds.

This dessert is not recommended for freezing, since the texture of the dumplings changes and becomes dense once thawed.

Blackberry dumplings are a simple, comforting dessert that brings together the best parts of a cobbler and a pie without the need for an oven.

It uses fresh, seasonal blackberries and a light, buttery dough that soaks in the fruit's natural sweetness as it cooks.

The process is straightforward, the ingredients are easy to find, and the result is a warm, satisfying dessert that fits perfectly into a summer meal.

Whether you make it the traditional way with two spoons or use a cookie scooper for a cleaner shape, this recipe stays true to its Southern roots. It is a dish worth passing down, just as it has been passed down for generations.

More Summer berry Crumble and Fruit Cobblers you'll love to try as dumplings

• Old Fashioned Southern Lemon Cobbler
• Blackberry Cobbler in Cast Iron Skillet
• Blueberry Cobbler (Gluten Free)
• Instant Pot Southern Peach Cobbler
• Chocolate Cobbler
• Moist Peach Cobbler Coffee Cake Muffins

Cobblers when the weather gets cosy!

• Southern Sweet Potato Cobbler
• Caramel Apple Cinnamon Pecan Cobbler
• Warm Pear Cranberry Cobbler