This boozy twist on a classic chocolate layer cake is made with red wine for a rich and robust chocolate cake with unique fruity undertones and an incredible depth of flavor unlike any other chocolate cake you’ve had before. Three layers of moist, deeply chocolate cake, with blackberry preserves and a fluffy vanilla bean buttercream […]
This boozy twist on a classic chocolate layer cake is made with red wine for a rich and robust chocolate cake with unique fruity undertones and an incredible depth of flavor unlike any other chocolate cake you’ve had before.
Three layers of moist, deeply chocolate cake, with blackberry preserves and a fluffy vanilla bean buttercream in between, and a drizzle of dark chocolate glaze for a dramatic effect that’s as easy as it is impressive. Top it with some gold-brushed blackberries for some serious flair!
Taylor recently celebrated a milestone birthday, and it felt appropriate to re-make one of our all-time favorite cake recipes (and yours too!) This cake was first made back in 2012, 11 years ago to the day actually (scroll down to the bottom to see the original photos if you’re looking for a laugh). Since then it’s been made and loved by countless readers and fans, for birthdays and celebrations and non-celebrations alike.
Why is it so beloved? Other than being gosh darn delicious, and easy to boot, I suspect the glamor of red wine adds to the mystique of this recipe. It just sounds fancy, doesn’t it? At its most basic it is a classic chocolate layer cake, yes, but the red wine brings out the fruity notes of the chocolate, adding a unique depth of flavor that makes for a truly unforgettable cake. Add to that a layer of blackberry preserves, a fluffy vanilla bean buttercream, and a drizzle of dark chocolate glaze… what you end up with is simply perfection (frankly there’s no other way to put it).
Tart and sweet, fruity and floral, these blackberry lavender lemon bars are the perfect summery treat for lemon lovers everywhere! The classic lemon bar gets leveled up with ripe summer blackberries and a hint of lavender for a uniquely floral twist and gorgeous pink color. I’ve gotten into the habit of offloading my leftover sweets […]
Tart and sweet, fruity and floral, these blackberry lavender lemon bars are the perfect summery treat for lemon lovers everywhere!
The classic lemon bar gets leveled up with ripe summer blackberries and a hint of lavender for a uniquely floral twist and gorgeous pink color.
I’ve gotten into the habit of offloading my leftover sweets on my fellow students at my weekly Wednesday night ceramic class. Contrary to what you may think, excess sweets are a constant problem I have to deal with. The two of us can hardly consume everything I bake (recipes often requiring multiple tests before the final iteration), and it’s not like I have an office to bring them to. Usually it’s my neighbors who get saddled with the bulk of my leftovers (not that they’re complaining or anything).
But now that I’m back at my ceramics class after a year-long break, it’s proven the perfect opportunity for me to both offload my recipe tests and gather useful feedback, while at the same time spreading sweet happiness around the studio.
When I heard that our teacher was a huge fan of lemon desserts, I decided to revisit my classic Meyer lemon bars and give them a fruity and floral new twist. And even I, the lackluster lemon lover that I am (I’ll choose chocolate over lemon any day), had to admit the result is pretty darn fabulous.
My Netflix queue has gotten out of control and is entirely too long. And to make matters worse, I keep adding to it. Being out of the U.S. for so long, I missed watching binge-worthy, must-watch classics like The Wire and Breaking Bad when they came out, and I’d love to sit down on the sofa for another few months and watch them now that…
My Netflix queue has gotten out of control and is entirely too long. And to make matters worse, I keep adding to it. Being out of the U.S. for so long, I missed watching binge-worthy, must-watch classics like The Wire and Breaking Bad when they came out, and I’d love to sit down on the sofa for another few months and watch them now that they are streaming, as well as rewatch all five seasons of Six Feet Under, which was one of the best shows that’s even been on television. How they managed to make a show about death so human is beyond me, with a finale that’s lauded as the best ending for a television series ever. Which also made me wonder how they could have left the end of The Sopranos, another incredible show, land with such a thud?
The pandemic and confinements were certainly good for whittling down those “Watch Lists” but one show that jumped to the top of the queue was High on the Hog. It’s an eye-opening, unnerving, and emotionally difficult look at the role that African-Americans, who were brought to America as slaves, had in shaping American cooking. The subtitle of the show is “How African-American Cuisine Transformed America” which sounds like a big bill for fill, but the four-episode show traces how that happened.
And lest anyone doubt the rich contribution African-Americans have made to our cooking, author and Cook’s Country editor Toni Tipton-Martin pointed out in the program that Black Americans have been used by food brands for decades in America to denote quality, by brands like Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben, which gave host Stephen Satterfield pause as well, flipping the narrative about those culinary characters (or caricatures) that many of us grew up with.
This blackberry crisp recipe (aka blackberry crumble) has a crunchy oat topping and sweet berry filling. It’s the best way to end a summer meal! What’s better than a sweet berry crisp on a summer evening? There’s something this simple dessert that’s quintessential summer, the perfect ending to a shrimp boil or grilled meal. Here’s our best nostalgic Blackberry Crisp recipe, aka the Blackberry Crumble! It’s just sweet enough, filled with sweet berries with a hint of orange and vanilla, and a crunchy oat crumble topping. Even better: you can make it with fresh or frozen berries! Use it with fresh summer berries from the market, or try it with the frozen variety. Ready to get baking? Elements in this blackberry crisp (aka crumble) This blackberry crisp (aka blackberry crumble) is easy to make, and it has several great features that take it from good to great. Here’s what to know about baking up this sweet berry dessert: You can use fresh or frozen berries! Fresh blackberries can be expensive, so frozen is a great economical option. Keep in mind fresh berries are slightly sweeter than frozen. The filling features orange zest and vanilla for next level flavor. These make the berry […]
This blackberry crisp recipe (aka blackberry crumble) has a crunchy oat topping and sweet berry filling. It’s the best way to end a summer meal!
What’s better than a sweet berry crisp on a summer evening? There’s something this simple dessert that’s quintessential summer, the perfect ending to a shrimp boil or grilled meal. Here’s our best nostalgic Blackberry Crisp recipe, aka the Blackberry Crumble! It’s just sweet enough, filled with sweet berries with a hint of orange and vanilla, and a crunchy oat crumble topping. Even better: you can make it with fresh or frozen berries! Use it with fresh summer berries from the market, or try it with the frozen variety. Ready to get baking?
Elements in this blackberry crisp (aka crumble)
This blackberry crisp (aka blackberry crumble) is easy to make, and it has several great features that take it from good to great. Here’s what to know about baking up this sweet berry dessert:
You can use fresh or frozen berries! Fresh blackberries can be expensive, so frozen is a great economical option. Keep in mind fresh berries are slightly sweeter than frozen.
The filling features orange zest and vanilla for next level flavor. These make the berry flavor pop and add nuance! Take one bite and you’ll be amazed.
The crumble is easy to customize to various diets. It’s got butter and flour, but there are easy swaps to make it vegan and gluten free (see below).
Pecans and cinnamon are a must! These texture and flavor elements round out the crunchy crumble.
What’s the difference between a crisp and crumble, anyway?
Well, it’s matter of terminology. There was originally a difference between a blackberry crisp and a blackberry crumble. A crisp had oats, whereas a crumble did not (per The Kitchn). So, the crisp topping was crunchier because of the oats!
Today sometimes in the US people are specific about terms, but the difference has really faded over time. You can use either one interchangeably! In the UK, Australia and New Zealand, the term “crumble” is used to encompass both types of desserts.
Mix the layers, then bake until golden brown
The great thing about a blackberry crumble or crisp? There’s no technique involved. Mix the berries and filling ingredients, mix the topping, layer and bake! Easy as that. Here are a few tips to this process:
Run frozen berries under warm water. If you’re using frozen berries, this partially thaws them. They don’t need to be fully thawed before baking.
Bake time varies based on your oven, baking dish, and berries! Simply bake until golden brown. The bake time will be different every time depending on those variables. Our recipe testers had bake times between 30 minutes and 1 hour, though for most it was around 50 minutes.
If it’s not golden, keep going! You’re looking for that golden hue. If the oats look pale, keep going.
Make a vegan or gluten free blackberry crisp
This recipe is very customizable to various diets and preferences. Here are a few substitutes that work just as well as the original recipe:
Gluten free crisp: use almond flour. Almond flour works perfectly as a substitute for flour in a crisp or crumble recipe. In fact, it becomes even crispier!
Vegan crisp: use vegan butter or coconut oil. Vegan butter is best for the crispiest texture; coconut oil also works.
Other sugars also work! Prefer coconut sugar? That works too. Using maple syrup makes for a softer crisp topping because it adds liquid. If you’re ok with a softer crisp topping, you can use it: but we prefer sugar here for the correct texture.
Use more orange zest. For a blackberry orange crumble, double the orange zest! It’s deliciously citrusy.
Other variations: berry crisp, peach blackberry crisp, etc!
Other ways to vary a blackberry crumble: change up the berries! There are lots of ways to flex this recipe, depending on the fruit you have on hand. Here are some ideas:
Mixed berry crisp: Use fresh or frozen mixed berries instead!
Raspberry crisp: Use raspberries in place of blackberries
Peach blackberry crisp: Use half berries and half peeled sliced peaches
Blackberry basil crisp: Add 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil to the filling
Blackberry mint crisp: Add 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint to the filling
Toppings for blackberry crumble
You can eat this blackberry crisp plain, but it’s even tastier with a little topping! Here are some of our favorite ideas:
Ice cream: Try store-bought vanilla ice cream (traditional or dairy free), or this Homemade Vegan Ice Cream is a great choice.
Freeze the leftovers!
Got leftovers? Freeze them! You can freeze this blackberry crisp for up to 3 months in a sealed container. Reheat it in a 350 degree oven until bubbly and the topping is crispy. It’s not quite as good as fresh, but it’s close!
This blackberry crisp recipe is…
Vegetarian. For gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, see the recipe below.
6 tablespoons cold salted butter (or coconut oil or vegan butter for vegan)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make the filling: Or if using frozen, run the berries under warm water for about 1 minute in a strainer (they will still be frozen on the inside but starting to thaw). Then mix with the filling ingredients in a bowl, then pour the filling into a round 9-inch pie pan, 9 x 9 inch baking dish or 7 x 11 baking dish.
Make the topping: In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, nuts and kosher salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and then use your hands to mix it into the oats until fully distributed and a crumbly dough forms. It may take a while so be patient; you can also use a pastry cutter if you prefer. (If using coconut oil, it can be room temperature; use the same method to add it.) Pour the crumble on top and smooth it into an even layer with your fingers.
Bake: Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is evenly golden brown and the filling is bubbly (this will vary based on your oven and berries: it may be shorter or longer so keep an eye on it). Cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then serve warm. If desired, top with whipped cream and mint leaves. You can leave out your crisp on the counter for up to 1 day (covered, at night) so the crisp topping can stay crisp. After 1 day, refrigerate any leftovers. This crumble also freezes well for several months in a sealed container; reheat it in a 350 degree oven until bubbly and the topping is crisp.
Notes
*For a very forward orange flavor, use 1/3 to 1/2 teaspoon orange zest.
A Big Little Recipe has the smallest-possible ingredient list and big everything else: flavor, creativity, wow factor. That means five ingredients or fewer—not including water, salt, black pepper, and certain fats (like oil and butter), since we’re gue…
A Big Little Recipe has the smallest-possible ingredient list and big everything else: flavor, creativity, wow factor. That means five ingredients or fewer—not including water, salt, black pepper, and certain fats (like oil and butter), since we're guessing you have those covered. This week, guest columnist Thalia Ho, creator of the award-winning blog Butter and Brioche, is sharing a recipe from her stunning new cookbook,Wild Sweetness.
I got the taste for tartness young. The earliest memories I have are of my aunt in Austria, her outstretched hand filled with wild berries: gooseberries, raspberries, and currants that shone like tiny jewels under the sun. There were even alpine strawberries, too early for picking, but so rare that I have never seen them again.
This easy blackberry cobbler is made with fresh, juicy blackberries and is covered with a sweet and tender cake topping. Serve with vanilla ice cream for the perfect summer dessert! We have been picking A LOT of blackberries this summer. We’…
This easy blackberry cobbler is made with fresh, juicy blackberries and is covered with a sweet and tender cake topping. Serve with vanilla ice cream for the perfect summer dessert! We have been picking A LOT of blackberries this summer. We’ve made jam and are still enjoying them in smoothies, with yogurt, ice cream, etc. BUT…
Every time I take this Fruit Salad with Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing to a party or potluck it gets rave reviews. It’s a simple fruit salad, but the dressing makes it extra special. This salad is so good, the recipe even made it into our cookbook, w…
Every time I take this Fruit Salad with Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing to a party or potluck it gets rave reviews. It’s a simple fruit salad, but the dressing makes it extra special. This salad is so good, the recipe even made it into our cookbook, which has our very best recipes. This salad includes…
This beautiful Berry Caprese Salad is a great simple salad for summertime! It only takes 10 minutes to make and Is the perfect side dish for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labory Day, or any day! During the hot summer months, I only want to eat salads,…
This beautiful Berry Caprese Salad is a great simple salad for summertime! It only takes 10 minutes to make and Is the perfect side dish for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labory Day, or any day! During the hot summer months, I only want to eat salads, watermelon, and ice cream. Ok, let’s go…
Summer has just started and temperatures have been hovering close to 100ºF (37ºC). It’s been hard to stay cool but I’ve learned that temperatures are lower first thing in the morning, so I wake up earlier and get some tasks out of the way before the full blast of heat begins to slowly roast me, and my kitchen. The other thing that’s hitting us at…
Summer has just started and temperatures have been hovering close to 100ºF (37ºC). It’s been hard to stay cool but I’ve learned that temperatures are lower first thing in the morning, so I wake up earlier and get some tasks out of the way before the full blast of heat begins to slowly roast me, and my kitchen.
The other thing that’s hitting us at full blast is the deluge of summer fruits. There are so many nectarines, peaches, cherries, and strawberries at the market that I don’t know what to do with them all. And melons and plums are just around the corner, too. So it was odd that I found myself with a windfall of apples.
My Netflix queue has gotten out of control and is entirely too long. And to make matters worse, I keep adding to it. Being out of the U.S. for so long, I missed watching binge-worthy, must-watch classics like The Wire and Breaking Bad when they came out, and I’d love to sit down on the sofa for another few months and watch them now that they are streaming, as well as rewatch all five seasons of Six Feet Under, which was one of the best shows that’s even been on television. How they managed to make a show about death so human is beyond me, with a finale that’s lauded as the best ending for a television series ever. Which also made me wonder how they could have left the end of The Sopranos, another incredible show, land with such a thud?
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Every time I take this Fruit Salad with Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing to a party or potluck it gets rave reviews. It’s a simple fruit salad, but the dressing makes it extra special. This salad is so good, the recipe even made it into our cookbook, which has our very best recipes. This salad includes… 
