SOUTHERN BLUEBERRY DESSERT DUMPLINGS
This post may contain affiliate links that won’t change your price but will share some commission.
Southern Blueberry Dessert Dumplings is an old-fashioned, homey dessert that’s pure fruity bliss! This recipe is a great summer alternative to cobbler since you don’t need to turn on your oven.
Southern Blueberry Dessert Dumplings is an old-fashioned, homey dessert that’s pure fruity bliss! #blueberries #dessert #dumplings #recipe #homemade
This is an old Southern recipe that I don’t see much anymore. Actually, I had forgotten about it until I was talking with a friend about old recipes. A flood of memories came back, I remember my great-grandmother making Blueberry Dumplings when I was little.
I’m sure when you think of dumplings you think of savory Chicken ‘n Dumplings. Blueberry Dumplings are sweet dessert dumplings. Actually, they taste like blueberry cobbler except the bread is soft instead of being ‘crusty’. In addition, they’re cooked on the stovetop versus in the oven. The dough is ‘boiled’ in sweet blueberry juice instead of being baked. The result is a soft, fluffy, sweet dumpling in a delicious, jammy blueberry sauce.
Southern Blueberry Dessert Dumplings
- This is a quick and easy dessert that can be made from start to finish in less than 30 minutes.
- You can use fresh or frozen berries.
- As well, you can substitute blackberries instead of blueberries.
- Actually, you can use any fruit or fruit combination. A cherry blueberry combination would be excellent!
- Don’t leave out the lemon zest and juice. It really brightens the dessert!
I used frozen blueberries and the 2 cups of water provided just enough liquid. Additionally, the flour from the dumplings thickened the sauce slightly so I didn’t add any corn starch.
In my opinion, this dessert is best served warm with really good vanilla ice cream.
While you’re here, check out these recipes
- Small Batch Blueberry Muffin
- Angel Food Fat-Free Blueberry Cake
- Streusel Topped Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
- 19 Scrumptious Blueberry Recipes
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary based on products used.
Southern Blueberry Dessert Dumplings
Items in blue & underlined below can be clicked for more detail or to purchase.
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 1 quart blueberries fresh or frozen
- 2 cups water
- 1 and ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large lemon zested then juiced
For the dumplings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter cold
- ½ cup whole milk
Instructions
For the sauce
- In a large pot, combine blueberries, 1 and ½ cup sugar, and 2 cups of water. Bring to a low boil.
For the dumplings
- While the sauce is coming to a boil, mix the dumplings.
- In a medium bowl, stir flour, 2 tablespoon sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest together.
- Cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or fork. When the mixture resembles wet sand, stir in the milk to form a dough.
Cook the dumplings
- With the sauce at a low boil, drop ½ tablespoon dough into the sauce working as quickly as you can.
- Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low or simmer. Cook on low for 20 minutes (more if needed). Don't remove the lid and do not stir until 20 minutes. Check the dumplings at 20 minutes for doneness. The dumplings should be fluffy and cooked through with no doughy centers when done.
- Gently stir in the lemon juice. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and/or fresh whipped cream.
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are important to you, I recommend calculating them yourself.
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes! You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.
You can also find great recipes at my recipe index or at Weekend Potluck
How are you going to stir in the lemon juice once the dumplings have cooked and set?
I just pour it in and give it a gentle stir.
I have been searching for this exact recipe for ages! Thank you so much, can’t wait to make it
I’m so happy you found it! I have several old-fashioned southern recipes if there’s others you’re looking for. Look around or comment and I will share if I have it or try to find it.
Can you substitute the butter for olive oil.
Probably since it’s a fat, but it’ll change the flavor and possibly the texture. I haven’t tested it with OO so I can’t say it’ll be as good.
Always looking for fabulous blueberry recipes. This one is a winner! So sweet and delicious – it’s a perfect summer dessert!
What a beautiful food memory! My Nannie used to make these. I can taste them just looking at the photos. Can’t wait to make them!
Just made with haskap berries. Very good! Dumplings were perfect which is not always the case with me. Much appreciated. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Perfection!
I love this recipe, it’s easy an fast ,I’m just curious if you can make them ahead of time maybe a few hrs or even freeze it 😋
I think a few hours would be fine. I don’t think freezing them would work, but I haven’t tried freezing them. I think the dumplings would fall apart and they’d be mushy after freezing.