This wild blueberry cobbler is easy to make and can be made in individual ramekins or one big ceramic baking dish. If you don't have wild blueberries, you can use regular blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, or a combination of berries. Make sure to sweeten the fruit layer according to the types of berries used!
When it comes to baking fruit desserts, cobblers are an important entry on the list. Cobblers can be topped with either slabs or dollops of biscuit dough or a cake batter of sorts. Personally, I like a cake-y cobbler, and that is exactly what this is: a sweet batter is poured over a layer of melted butter and fresh blueberries and baked until the cake is tender and golden and the berries are bubbly and hot.
Cobbler reminds me of these rhubarb pudding cakes, which are cakes baked with a thick layer of rhubarb compote on the bottom.
I started with a recipe from Virginia Willis for blackberry cobbler, made in a seasoned cast iron skillet. Of course, I don't have one of those (one day, I hope...), so I baked the cobbler in individual white oven-safe pots. You could bake this recipe in 8 individual ceramic pots or one big 9-inch ceramic dish.
For the fruit filling, I made one major baking substitution: replacing the blackberries with Quebec blueberries. You could also replace the blackberries with your favourite berries, or even a mixture of berries. The thing to note is that blueberries are very high in pectin, so the blueberry filling, as it boils in the oven, will gel itself, without using any additional thickener. On the other hand, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries are lower in pectin, so your cobbler will be more saucy on the bottom.
Another thing to note is that some berries are sweeter than others, so if your berries aren't sweet, you may want to sprinkle some sugar with them to balance the tartness of the berries. Local Quebec blueberries are usually very sweet and flavourful, so they actually don't need any extra sugar.
For the cobbler topping, traditionally either baking powder biscuit dough or a thick cake batter are used, so this recipe is the version with a cake batter. The batter is eggless and the main leavening agent here is baking powder. Other eggless recipes may depend on baking soda, depending on the other ingredients. This eggless banana bread calls for baking soda for the rise.
With all fruit desserts, especially a saucy cobbler or a double crust pie, it's extremely important to bake these desserts enough so that they are bubbling and hot, even in the middle where it takes longest for the heat to reach.
If you don't bake these types of dessert long enough, the fruit layer may be too wet, too soupy, or not set. This rhubarb lattice pie is a prime example of a dessert that takes a long time to bake. And for a dish like this blueberry rhubarb crisp, you may have to start baking the filling before adding the topping to give the filling extra time to heat up and cook down.
Cobbler is best served warm, with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream. The sweet cream mixed with the warm cake and buttery baked blueberries is incredibly comforting. You can also serve it plain. It's up to you!
Quebec wild blueberry cobbler
Equipment
Ingredients
- 750 grams (4 cups) fresh blueberries preferably local wild blueberry if you've got those in your area
- 125 grams (1 cup) all-purpose flour
- 200 grams (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 10 mL (2 teaspoon) baking powder
- 1.25 mL (¼ teaspoon) Diamond Crystal fine kosher salt
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 250 mL (1 cup) whole milk (3.25 % fat)
- 5 mL (1 teaspoon) pure vanilla extract
- 115 grams (½ cup) unsalted butter cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Carefully wash and pick through the blueberries (checking for twigs or rocks). Drain and pat them dry (I do this by pouring them over a towel lined baking sheet). Set aside.
- Whisk together all the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Set aside
- Add the milk and vanilla and stir to form a thick batter. Set aside.
- Divide the butter between 8 ramekins (or one big 9-inch ceramic baking dish). Place the pan(s) in the oven for 7 or 8 minutes, or until the butter is completely melted and the pan is hot.
- Remove the pan(s) from the oven, and carefully pour the blueberries over the melted butter (½ cup per ramekin, or all in the bigger cake pan). Top with berry layer with the cake batter evenly.
- Return the pan(s) to the oven and let them bake until the cake is golden brown and baked through (check with a cake tester). The baked blueberries will bubble and release some juice. The individual ramekins take about 35 minutes, while the larger cake pan takes about 45 minutes.
- Remove the pan(s) from the oven, and let cool slightly before serving.
Emily @ Life on Food says
Blueberries are the one thing that makes me think of summer the most! They are so good. When cobbler drips over the edge like that it makes me want a taste that much more.
Stephanie says
Mmmmmm, bluberry cobbler is my favorite! Love that cakey topping!
Ann says
Wow - I like the recipe and the photos are incredible! There is nothing like fresh blueberries!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
This looks wonderful! Terrific photos:-)
The Mom Chef says
There is such a difference between the wild blueberries up north and the "other" kind. I fell in love with the wild bunch while I was in Maine. This looks like it would be a fantastic cobbler.
Lizzy says
Gorgeous photos of a beautiful dessert...love those individual servings! Can't beat a cobbler~
Russell at Chasing Delicious says
This cobbler looks delicious! I love blueberries and you can't go wrong cobblers. Great shots too!
Debbie says
...you got me with the berries...i love any kind of berries....perfect - wild blueberries are the best!
Ally says
Wow, this looks divine! Incredible cobbler dish you have!
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com/
Patty @ bloomingfoodie says
This looks so wonderful, and described so perfectly my mouth is watering! Really, it is...I can taste and smell those fresh blueberries. I planned on making a blueberry pie this week, but this cobbler sounds much better!
Cheap Ethnic Eatz says
I wish we had fresh local berries year round, blueberries are my 2nd fave (after raspberries). You cobbler is a perfect way to serve up this beautiful fruit. I love the purple dribbles on the side of the dish. Just delicious
Butter says
Found you on Twitter and immediately fell in love with your name along with "... one cup of butter at a time." With that, I knew I'd like it here. When I arrived I saw this beautiful dessert and just had to make it (had to use regular blueberries). Delicious! I will definitely be making this again - thanks for sharing!
Spice Sherpa says
Every year we pick buckets of blueberries, freeze them and eat them throughout the autumn, winter and spring. One time we had the opportunity to purchase wild blueberries while driving from Toronto to Ottawa. Those berries were unreal. If those were any indication of the deliciousness of Quebec berries -- you are fortunate indeed! Your cobbler looks amazing--I'll save the recipe for a January day.