Sallie Ann Robinson's Blackberry Dumplings

For some, old-fashioned blackberry dumplings are a dish you grew up eating and long to make again. They'll evoke memories of picking fresh blackberries in the summer, and rushing through dinner to get to dessert. If you haven't had the pleasure, these fluffy dumplings soaked in a bright, sweet blackberry sauce are light but hearty, and Sallie Ann Robinson's recipe is the perfect one to try.

Juicy, ripe blackberries simmer and thicken to create a sweet and tangy sauce. A light dumpling batter is portioned into the vat of bubbling fruit, and the juice coats and perfectly soaks into the fluffy dumplings as they swell.

Serve warm dumplings with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream to make this mouthwatering dish completely irresistible.

"This is a very special and easy dessert. Momma would make this for us after we spent hours picking blackberries, making all the work worth it." — Sallie Ann Robinson

All About Sallie Ann Robinson

Sallie Ann Robinson is a sixth-generation Gullah born on Daufuskie Island in South Carolina. As a renowned chef and cookbook author, she shares Gullah recipes, focusing on fresh ingredients and simple dishes. She’s one of only a few native Gullah—descendants of enslaved African Americans who settled in the Lowcountry—who still live on the island. She is noted for her knowledge of Gullah culture and history, and currently runs a tour company on Daufuskie Island, sharing the rich history of the island and generations that came before.

Her latest cookbook, Sallie Ann Robinson’s Kitchen: Food and Family Lore from the Lowcountry, showcases Gullah dishes passed down through generations, including these heavenly Blackberry Dumplings.

Ingredients for Blackberry Dumplings

To make these dumplings, you'll need:

• fresh or frozen blackberries
• sugar
• water
• self-rising flour
• salt
• vegetable shortening

While frozen blackberries mean you can make this dessert year-round, there's nothing like using fresh, ripe summer blackberries, still warm from the sun.

How To Make Blackberry Dumplings

The full list of instructions is below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

• Step 1. Cook berries: Start by boiling blackberries, sugar, and water in a medium pot until thickened. Keep warm over low heat.
• Step 2. Make the dumplings: In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, sugar, and shortening with 1/4 cup water, adding water as needed until the dough is scoopable.
• Step 3. Cook dumplings: Raise heat under blackberries to medium, and scoop 1 teaspoon of dough at a time into the pot, leaving a bit of room for them to swell as they cook. Flip with a spoon as they begin to float. Cook until dumplings are fluffy throughout; serve warm.

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.