Blackberry Crumble Is the Old-Fashioned Dessert I Bring to Every Gathering

This blackberry crumble combines fresh blackberries with a touch of extra sweetness, vibrant lemon zest, and a buttery crumble topping.

Ready IN

1 hr 15 mins

Servings

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By TheKitchn.com

August 01, 2026Updated:August 01, 2026

By Molly Allen
TheKitchn.com

Summertime means that fresh berries are in abundance, and blackberries are at the top of that list. This hearty berry is juicy and full of flavor, which makes it the perfect star of the show for a simple homemade dessert. This blackberry crumble combines fresh blackberries with just a touch of extra sweetness and vibrant lemon zest for the fruit base, with a buttery crumble topping to finish it off. Dish yours up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream for the ultimate summer dessert.

Why You’ll Love It

Celebrate summer berries! This crumble embraces plentiful summertime blackberries and lets their flavor shine.

It’s so easy to put together. There’s no mixer required here. Simply stir ingredients together, add to a baking dish, and bake!

Key Ingredients

Blackberries: This recipe calls for fresh blackberries for a tart-meets-sweet and juicy fruit base.

Lemon: Use the fresh zest and juice from one lemon to add vibrant flavor to the fruit base.

Brown sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor to the crumble topping. You can use either light or dark brown sugar.

Storage Tip

Refrigerate covered or in an airtight container for up to three days.

Molly Allen is a contributor to TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to [email protected].

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Blackberry Crumble

TheKitchn.com

Time

1 hr 15 mins

(Prep 15 minsCook 45 mins)

Servings

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

45 mins

Total Time

1 hr 15 mins

Servings

Ingredients

For the Crumble Topping

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces and at room temperature, plus more for the baking dish
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup dark or light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Fruit Base

18 ounces fresh blackberries (4 cups)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Finely grated zest of 1 medium lemon (2 teaspoons)
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (1/2 medium lemon)

Instructions

STEP 1

Heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat an 8-by-8-inch or 2-quart baking dish with butter.

STEP 2

Whisk all-purpose flour, packed brown sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt together in a medium bowl. Add room-temperature unsalted butter and use a fork or your hands to work the butter into the flour mixture until fully moistened and crumbs no larger than a pea form.

STEP 3

Stir fresh blackberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, finely grated lemon zest, and lemon juice together in a medium bowl until the blackberries are evenly coated.

STEP 4

Transfer the blackberries and any loose sugar mixture to the baking dish and arrange into an even layer. Evenly sprinkle the topping over the fruit.

STEP 5

Bake until bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.

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