If you’ve ever had the joy of digging into a warm bowl of Blackberry Dumplin’s, you already know: it’s a dessert that wraps you up like a Southern hug. Tender, buttery dumplings simmered in a deep, sweet-tart blackberry sauce—this old-fashioned treat is beloved for its simplicity and unforgettable flavor. It’s the kind of dessert passed down through generations, served hot from the stovetop and spooned into bowls with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of heavy cream.

While cobblers and pies get a lot of attention, Blackberry Dumplin’s have that homespun, rustic charm that makes them feel special. Whether you grew up with a grandmother who made them every summer or you’re discovering them for the first time, this recipe is pure nostalgia in every bite.

🛒 Ingredients – Humble Pantry Staples, Big Flavor

This recipe uses classic ingredients—just like you’d expect from a Southern kitchen. No fancy techniques, just real food made with love.

INGREDIENTS

For the Blackberry Sauce:

1 quart fresh blackberries
2 cups white sugar, or to taste
2 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the Dumplings:

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shortening
1 egg yolk
5 tablespoons milk

📝 Note: You can adjust the sugar depending on how sweet your berries are. Taste the sauce as it cooks and tweak to your liking.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Blackberry Dumplin’s – Step-by-Step

This recipe comes together in two parts: simmering the blackberries into a syrupy sauce, and then making the dumpling dough that gets cooked right in that luscious berry mixture.

Step 1: Make the Blackberry Sauce

In a large saucepan, combine:

1 quart blackberries
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 20 to 30 minutes. The blackberries will begin to break down into a rich, deep sauce, and the sugar will dissolve, creating a syrupy base.

🍇 Pro Tip: If you like a thicker sauce, let it reduce longer or mash some of the berries against the side of the pan as they cook.

Step 2: Make the Dumpling Dough

While the blackberry sauce simmers, it’s time to prepare the dumplings.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
Cut in the shortening using a knife or pastry blender until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in the egg yolk.
Gradually add milk, one tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork after each addition.

Stop adding milk when the dough is moist but not sticky. When squeezed in your hand, it should form a firm ball without crumbling or sticking.

🧈 Dough Tip: Do not overmix. Overworking the dough can lead to tough dumplings.

Step 3: Shape the Dumplings

This step is all about personal preference.

Some people like to roll the dough into small balls—about the size of a walnut.
Others prefer flat dumplings, rolling out the dough and cutting it into strips or small squares with a knife or pizza cutter.

🥄 Either way works! Just be sure to keep your dumplings uniform in size so they cook evenly.

Step 4: Cook the Dumplings

Once the blackberry sauce is thick and flavorful, drop in your dumplings—whether they’re round or square.

Cover the saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes. Avoid stirring. You may gently push dumplings down into the juice, but don’t stir until they are fully cooked or they may fall apart or clump together.

You’ll know they’re done when they’re firm, fully cooked through, and beautifully infused with the berry syrup.

🕒 Recipe Summary

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yields: 6 servings

🍨 How to Serve Blackberry Dumplin’s

This dessert is best served warm, spooned into bowls with a generous ladle of that purple, syrupy sauce.

Perfect Pairings:

Vanilla ice cream – a cool, creamy contrast to the hot berries
Heavy cream – just a splash over the top
Whipped cream – for added lightness
Buttermilk biscuits – a Southern twist for serving on the side

Whether served plain or dressed up, these dumplings are always the star.

🔁 Recipe Variations

Make the dish your own with these creative twists:

Add lemon zest to the dumpling dough for brightness
Use mixed berries like blueberries or raspberries along with blackberries
Make it spiced with a dash of nutmeg or clove
Add a splash of bourbon to the blackberry sauce for a grown-up treat
Make it gluten-free using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend

🧊 Storing and Reheating

Store:

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheat:

Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.

🍽️ Tip: These dumplings taste even better the next day, as the flavors deepen and the dumplings soak up more of the syrup.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ True Southern comfort
✅ Simple, rustic ingredients
✅ Bursting with blackberry flavor
✅ Hearty enough for dessert or brunch
✅ Great way to use fresh-picked berries

It’s a dish that feels like summer and tradition wrapped into one warm, spoonable bowl.

💬 Reader Reviews

“My grandma used to make these every summer. I hadn’t tasted anything like it in years—this recipe brought back memories.”
— Trisha D.

“Served with vanilla ice cream and it was divine. My kids licked their bowls clean.”
— Mike F.

“I rolled mine out and cut into squares like my mom did—just perfect.”
— Lydia M.

📌 Final Thoughts – A Spoonful of Southern Tradition

Blackberry Dumplin’s are more than just a dessert—they’re a taste of tradition. Rustic, hearty, and unapologetically comforting, they’re the kind of dish that reminds you of summer kitchens, family dinners, and simpler times.

So whether you’re cooking up fresh-picked blackberries from the garden or a quart from the market, this is the recipe that turns them into pure Southern magic.

Make it once, and it’s guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Save