15 Best Blackberry Recipes for a Sweet-Tart Taste of Summer
These pretty purple treats are full of fresh berry flavor.
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When summer rolls around, people get excited for a lot of things: vacation, backyard cookouts, 4th of July fireworks, and lots and lots of fresh berries. While everyone loves a good strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry, blackberries also deserve their moment in the sun! Unlike their sweeter cousins, blackberries can be a bit tart sometimes. But when you mix them with sugar and spice and everything nice (like butter!), you get a perfect summery mix of sweet and tart.
Although blackberries are available in stores year-round, they’re at their most plump and juicy in July and August. If you find yourself with a bounty from your yard or a you-pick adventure, you can put them to good use in these blackberry recipes! Take it from Ree Drummond, who embarked on a blackberry baking mission of her own after acquiring copious amounts of the berry one summer. "Rather than do something healthy with the luscious deep purple beauties, I decided to make a big, fat cheesecake," Ree said.
Here, you'll find classic berry desserts like cobblers and fruit pies that pair perfectly with a dollop of homemade whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. There are also plenty of inventive frozen drinks—like the blackberry soda float and the blackberry margarita—that can cool you off on a hot summer day. No matter which recipes you go for, save a few fresh blackberries to garnish your treats for a juicy explosion of berry flavor.
Blackberry Pie
The secret to a berry filling that sets up nicely but is still unbelievably juicy is the boil the blackberry juice with cornstarch first before adding it back to the berries.
Get the Blackberry Pie recipe.
Blackberry Cobbler
Fresh fruit cobblers are the ultimate summer dessert. This version is cakey and tender, a perfect match for the ripe, juicy blackberries sprinkled throughout. It's good with or without whipped cream or ice cream.
Get Ree's Blackberry Cobbler recipe.
Blackberry–Cheesecake Swirl Ice Cream
If you feel like you need more than one dessert to cool your summer sweet tooth, make this delicious frozen treat that combines two of the best summer sweets: cheesecake and blackberry ice cream!
Get Ree's Blackberry–Cheesecake Swirl Ice Cream recipe.
Blackberry Cobbler Cake
Can't choose between cobbler or cake? You don't have to! This blend of luscious pound cake and fruity cobbler is delightfully dense with a sugar biscuit topping to boot.
Get the Blackberry Cobbler Cake recipe.
Berry Chantilly Cake
Why buy this from the store when you can make it yourself? Layers of fluffy cake and fresh mixed berries get the special treatment thanks to fluffy mascarpone whipped cream frosting.
Get the Berry Chantilly Cake recipe.
Blackberry Ice Cream Icebox Cake
You've heard of ice cream cake and icebox cake, but how about ice cream icebox cake? This cooling summer dessert is even more tasty thanks to the blackberry preserves and fresh blackberries folded between layers of spiced gingersnaps and lemon-curd-swirled ice cream.
White Wine Spritzer
If you think a glass of white wine at cocktail hour is as good as it gets, prepare to be wowed! It’s even better with blackberry and strawberry ice cubes.
Get the White Wine Spritzer recipe.
Blackberry Icebox Cake
Not up for using your oven? Not a problem! This refreshing icebox cake features layers of pound cake, a blackberry-lemon mixture, and fresh whipped cream that you just chill after making it!
Get Ree's Blackberry Icebox Cake recipe.
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Everyone will want to have breakfast when you’re serving creamy ricotta and zesty lemon pancakes topped with blackberries, raspberries, and maple syrup.
Get the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes recipe.
Red, White, and Blue Trifle
Whether you're celebrating America's birthday or any old Tuesday, you’ll get props for a red, white, and blue trifle with layers of cubed pound cake, whipped cream, and heaps of blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries.
Get the Red, White, and Blue Trifle recipe.
Yogurt Parfait
This snack satisfies any time of day: The tartness of the blackberries offsets the sweet and rich vanilla yogurt and sour cream base.
Get the Yogurt Parfait recipe.
Blackberry Cheesecake Squares
These bite-sized treats may not be shaped like a typical cheesecake, but they're just as tasty! They have a crunchy graham cracker crust, creamy vanilla filling, and a thick layer of blackberry topping.
Get Ree's Blackberry Cheesecake Squares recipe.
Blackberry Margaritas
Cool off with a batch of Ree's frozen blackberry margaritas! They’re crafted with homemade blackberry puree, tequila, and a zesty lime sugar rim, and they're a tempting yet simple upgrade from your typical margarita.
Get Ree's Blackberry Margaritas recipe.
Cornmeal Muffins with Blackberry Jam
The summery flavors of corn and blackberry are a great combo! You just fill fluffy cornbread muffins with a hearty dollop of blackberry jam for a treat worthy of breakfast and dessert.
Blackberry Soda Floats
Chill out with a blackberry soda float! It has pureed blackberries, vanilla bean ice cream, and club soda, plus a sprig of mint.
Get the Blackberry Soda Floats recipe.
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