Southern Blueberry Cobbler

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We can't get enough of this southern blueberry cobbler around here! Juicy summer blueberries and just enough sweet southern dough, this is one of the easiest dessert recipes that I know you will love! Serve with vanilla bean ice cream and you'll be in summertime dessert heaven!

When I tell you this blueberry cobbler doesn't last 2.5 seconds in this house, I am not lying! If they could bottle up the smell of this baking in the oven and sell it in candle form, someone would be a millionaire! Oh wait, I am pretty sure Bath and Body Works already does that!

But truly, there is nothing quite like a true southern dessert hot and fresh out of the oven and served with a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. There is something about the warm sweet dough and bursting blueberries with that cold ice cream that starts to melt around it that really just hits different.

Have I convinced you to make this yet? haha - I have convinced myself again...I'm starting to drool! This recipe is so easy, no one can mess it up. Let's get started!

3 servings of Southern Blueberry Cobbler on plates with vanilla ice cream melted besides it. A bowl of berries and the cobbler dish next to the plates.

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Ingredients Needed
How to Make
Can I Use Canned Blueberries Instead of Fresh?
Can I Use Frozen Blueberries?
Can This Be Made Gluten Free?
More Summer Time Dessert Recipes
Southern Blueberry Cobbler

Ingredients Needed

This is adapted from my famous fresh peach cobbler recipe, and only needs a handful of pantry staple ingredients.

Butter - because what southern recipe doesn't include butter?!
Fresh Blueberries - I love using ripe and juicy fresh summer blueberries in this recipe. However, I tested it with frozen blueberries and it worked beautifully too. Try to use fresh if you can, but if you're out of season or just can't get fresh, frozen will work just fine!
Sugar - we will be using sugar to coat and sweeten up the blueberries just a pinch and in the cobbler dough as well.
Lime - lime juice and zest bring a fresh citrus zing to this dish that just brightens it all up!
Flour - all-purpose flour will be used in the cobbler batter. I always use King Arthur flour in all of my baking recipes.
Cream & Milk - I like to use a combo of both whipping cream and milk in the batter. You can use just milk if you need it (whole milk works best here).
Baking Powder - to give the batter a lovely little rise and puffiness.
Vanilla Bean Paste - I use Nielson-Massey pure vanilla bean paste* in all of my baking recipes on Fueling a Southern Soul and just in my personal cooking. I think it leads to a deeper and richer vanilla flavor that just can't get achieved with imitation or regular vanilla extract. I get mine on Amazon (affiliate link above). Trust me, once you use it, you won't go back!
Salt - just a pinch to round out all the sweet flavors in this dish.

Clear bowls of blueberries, sugar, melted butter, flour, vanilla, salt, milk and cream.

How to Make

I like to call this a dump and bake kinda recipe - it's so easy anyone can do it!

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Place butter in a 9x13 baking dish. Place in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to fully melt the butter.
In a bowl, add blueberries, sugar, lime juice, and zest. Mix to combine thoroughly. Set aside.
In another large bowl mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla, cream, and milk. Whisk until fully combined. This should be a runny batter consistency.
To the hot pan with melted butter, pour in batter into the pan, then add the blueberries on top. There is no need to mix or stir. Just dump in the batter on top of the melted butter, then the blueberries. Everything will bake evenly in the oven.
Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
Serve with vanilla bean ice cream and enjoy!

A bowl of batter and a bowl of fresh blueberries.

Southern Blueberry Cobbler in a baking dish before going into the oven to bake.

Southern Blueberry Cobbler after coming out of the oven in a baking dish.

Can I Use Canned Blueberries Instead of Fresh?

I do not recommend using canned blueberries for this southern blueberry cobbler. It comes packaged in a sweetened syrup with added sugars that would alter the results and taste of this cobbler. Stick with fresh or frozen blueberries for the best results.

Can I Use Frozen Blueberries?

Yes, you can! I would choose fresh blueberries first, however, when I baked this with frozen blueberries, it turned out perfectly! Use 2 cups of frozen blueberries to replace the pint of fresh. Continue with the recipe same as directed.

A scoop served out of the blueberry cobbler pan with melting vanilla ice cream on top.

Can This Be Made Gluten Free?

Good news - YES! I tried this once with King Arthur's 1-for-1 gluten-free flour* and it turned out great! And dare I say maybe even slightly better! Because gluten-free flour and products can tend to be more of a "chewier" texture at times, this paired perfectly with this southern blueberry cobbler! The dough is a bit "chewy" anyways, so the gluten-free flour really complimented the texture! I could not tell or taste one bit of difference or anything that needed to be altered in the baking process. So if you are gluten-free, give it a try!

More Summer Time Dessert Recipes

Can I Make Southern Blueberry Cobbler in Advance?

I think this is made fresh right before serving. Thankfully it is a simple and easy recipe to bring together that doesn't require a ton of time. If wanting to try and save even more time and prep ahead, combine the blueberries, sugar, and lime in a bowl. Wrap tightly in a bowl with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for 24 hours before using. Same for the batter. Mix together and wrap tightly, storing in the fridge for 24 hours before needed. Proceed with the recipe as follows when ready to bake.

How Do I Store Leftovers?

Store leftovers wrapped tightly with plastic wrap in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Should I Refrigerate Blueberry Cobbler?

Yes, refrigerate any leftovers.

What is the Difference Between a Cobbler and a Crisp Dessert?

A cobbler is a fruit usually mixed with sugar and lemon juice baked with dough or biscuit-like topping. A fruit crisp desert has a granola-crumble type topping on top.