This is the perfect blackberry crisp recipe that I have been baking since my early childhood, exactly how my Granny Janny made it. For 40+ years, this berry crisp has been a summer tradition for my family and I just love sharing the dish with you. The buttery oatmeal topping combines with the tangy but sweet blackberries for a quintessential summer dessert.
Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃/Gas Mark 4), then butter a 9-10 inch pan or 1.5-2 quart casserole dish.
In a medium to large-sized mixing bowl, add the 5 cups blackberries and 4 tablespoon sugar, plus the optional lemon zest or lime. Stir gently to coat the berries.
In another mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups rolled oats, 1½ cups light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon nutmeg. Mix the evenly distribute the ingredients.
2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups rolled oats, 1½ cups light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg
Add the cold 1½ cups butter and use a pastry cutter to cut it in until it reaches pea-sized crumbles.
1½ cups butter
Assemble & Bake
Add the sugared blackberry mix to your prepared baking dish, making an even layer that covers the bottom. Top the berries with the dry crumble oatmeal streusel crust mixture.
Bake in preheated oven at 350℉ (175℃/Gas Mark 4) for 40-45 minutes or until berries are bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown.
Remove from the oven when done and cool for 5 minutes before serving while warm.
Video
Notes
Experiment with different types of berries or a mix of berries for varied flavors. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or a combination can offer a delightful twist to the traditional blackberry crisp.
The secret to its irresistible taste lies in the perfect balance between the berries and the oatmeal topping. I prefer a 50/50 ratio, as each spoonful creates my perfect blend of flavors and textures.
Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the oatmeal streusel topping for added texture and a nutty flavor. Alternatively, consider adding a handful of granola for extra crunch.
This topping is very calorie-dense, to reduce the overall calorie count use half the topping ingredients.