I love to make this pear crisp in the Fall and Winter, so this blackberry crumble is my go-to in the warmer months.

Prep this dessert ahead of time, bake and cool, then serve to guests with a scoop of ice cream!

Why blackberry crumble with pistachios is a perfect dessert

The tangy, slow-cooked blackberries paired with the, buttery pistachio crust, creates this gourmet tasting mix of warm fruit and salty, buttery crunch. This dish is the perfect ending to any meal, at home alone or shared with friends and family. 

Ingredients needed for the blackberry crumble

For the blackberry filling: 

• Blackberries
• Lemon zest
• Cornstarch
• Granulated sugar
• Ground cardamom
• Kosher salt 

For the crumble topping:

• Brown sugar
• Ground Cardamom
• All-purpose flour
• Unsalted butter
• Pistachios

Tips for choosing the best blackberries

To ensure a sweet juicy berry every time, I choose blackberries that have fully ripened on the vine. I look for plump, deep black berries with a matte finish instead of the glossy ones. Avoid berries with red patches, a hard texture, or shrivelled skin.  

What is the secret to a good fruit crumble?

The secret to a good fruit crumble is the balance between a crisp, buttery topping and a thick, jammy fruit filling that doesn’t turn soggy. 

Tips for the filling

Cornstarch: Tossing your fruit with cornstarch or flour helps thicken the juices into a rich sauce and keeps the liquids from melting your crisp topping. 

Balance: Always add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to your berries or fruit. It cuts through the sugar and brightens the natural fruit flavors. 

Tips for the topping

Cold Butter: Use cold, cubed butter to create pea-sized clumps. These pockets of butter create the perfect flaky, crisp texture. Expert tip – pop your butter in the freezer for 5-10 minutes prior to cutting into cubes, it’ll be easier to cut and will stay colder longer while making the topping.

Texture:  Adding chopped nuts to the flour mixture adds an unexpected that stands up to the soft fruit. 

Tips for baking

The Bubble Test: Do not pull the crumble out until the berry juices are actively bubbling around the edges. The bubbling ensures the cornstarch is thickening the liquid from the berries.

Variations and substitutions to customize the recipe

Switch up the topping texture

• Crunchy: Mix in chopped pecans, walnuts, sliced almonds, or pumpkin seeds.
• Sweet: Use dark brown sugar for a deep, molasses-like crunch.
• Spiced: Toss the flour with ground cinnamon, ginger, or a pinch of nutmeg.

Swap the fruit filling

• Blend Fruits: Combine the blackberries with sliced apples, pears, peaches, or tart rhubarb.
• Fresh Herbs: Toss the berries with finely chopped fresh mint, basil, or rosemary.
• Add Citrus: Grate in fresh orange or lime zest alongside the standard lemon juice.
• Spike It: Mix a tablespoon of bourbon, Amaretto, or Grand Marnier into the berry mixture.

Dietary substitutions

• Gluten-Free: Swap the all-purpose flour for almond flour, oat flour, or a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
• Vegan/Dairy-Free: Replace the dairy butter with cold, solidified coconut oil or a high-quality plant-based butter.
• Refined Sugar-Free: Sweeten the filling with pure maple syrup or honey in the filling and use coconut sugar in the topping.

Serving suggestions and presentation ideas

My favorite way to serve this crumble is topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or with home-made whipping cream. If you’re wanting and elevated look for serving guests – garnish with fresh mint leaves, lemon zest, toasted pistachios or slivered almonds.  

Storage and reheating tips

How you store your berry crumble depends on when you plan to eat it.

Short-Term Storage (1-2 Days): You can leave a freshly baked crumble on the counter for up to two days. Let the crumble cool completely to room temperature. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. 

Medium-Term Storage (Up to 5 Days): If you need to keep it longer, store it in the fridge. Place the completely cooled crumble into the fridge, sealed tightly with foil or placed in an airtight container. 

Long-Term Storage (Up to 3 Months): This berry crumble freezes beautifully, either baked or unbaked.

• Unbaked (Recommended for best texture): Assemble the crumble in a freezer-safe dish, wrap it tightly in two layers of plastic wrap, and add a layer of aluminum foil. Bake directly from frozen at 350F adding 10 to 15 minutes to the original baking time.
• Baked: Freeze the completely cooled crumble using the same multi-layer wrapping method. Bake in a 350F oven until warmed through and the topping has become crispy again.

Reheating: Leftover crumble can be easily reheated, and my go-to method is in the oven. Simply pop your crumble into a 350F oven for about 10 to 15 minutes until it is warmed through and the topping crisps up again. If you are short on time, you can microwave individual portions for 30 to 45 seconds – just keep in mind that the topping will lose its crunch.

FAQ’s

More fruit desserts to make from the blog

• Easy & Delicious Gluten Free Rhubarb Crisp Recipe
• Strawberry Fruit Bars with an Oatmeal Crumble
• Grilled Peaches with Oat Crumble & Vanilla Ice Cream

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Easy and Delicious Blackberry Crumble with Pistachios

Discover the perfect blend of juicy blackberries and crunchy pistachios in this easy-to-make crumble that’s bursting with flavor and texture.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword blackberry, fruit crumble

Servings 6 -8

Author Jess

Ingredients

For the blackberries

• 8 cups fresh blackberries
• 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
• 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp kosher salt

For the crumble topping –

• ⅓ cup lightly packed brown sugar
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ¾ cup all purpose flour
• 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• ¼ cup coarsely chopped shelled salted pistachios

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350F and place a rack in the lower third of the oven. Grease a 10-inch oven safe skillet or a 9×9 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Add the fresh blackberries to a large bowl with the lemon zest, lemon juice, cornstarch, granulated sugar, ground cardamom and salt. Stir to combine and then let sit for 5-10 minutes while the oven preheats.
• For the crumble topping, add the brown sugar, ground cardamom, all purpose flour and small cubes of butter to a medium bowl. Use your hands to rub all the ingredients together, breaking down the butter cubes, until it resembles a coarse meal, about pea-sized pieces. Add the pistachios and squeeze together the crumble with your hands to combine.
• Transfer fresh blackberries and all of the juices from their bowl to the prepared baking dish. Use your hands to scatter the crumble topping over the blackberries.
• Bake the crumble until the blackberry juices are bubbling around the edges and the top is golden brown, about 35-45 minutes. Let it cool slightly before serving scoops of the crumble with ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

• Do not pull the crumble out until the berry juices are actively bubbling around the edges. The bubbling ensures the cornstarch is thickening the liquid from the berries.
• Gluten-Free: Swap the all-purpose flour for almond flour, oat flour, or a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
• Nut-free: Substitute the pistachios for rolled oats to make this nut-free.

Photography by: Kaeleigh Pugliese

The post Easy and Delicious Blackberry Crumble with Pistachios appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

Creamy brie cheese is paired with sweet blackberry jam, crunchy pecans and buttery puff pastry for a delicious appetizer bite.

It’s a great recipe to whip up for any get-together!

I love making easy appetizer recipes with puff pastry like Apricot Jam & Gruyere Cheese Puff Pastry Bites and Prosciutto, Sage & Gruyere Puff Pastry Pinwheels.  It’s the perfect appetizer to serve at gatherings any time of year.  They’re easy for guests to enjoy and you can double the recipe to make more for a larger group too! If you love savory appetizers, this one is for you.

Why you’ll love this delicious appetizer recipe

• These blackberry brie pinwheels are quick and easy to make!
• You only need 6 simple ingredients easily found at your local grocery store.
• Use store-bought puff pastry dough to make these in a flash.
• You don’t need fresh berries, just blackberry jam!

Ingredients needed

Blackberry jam: blackberry jam has hints of sweetness from being made from fresh blackberries and pairs beautifully with brie cheese

Brie cheese: use soft brie cheese, rind removed, from a wheel of brie and cut into 1/2 inch cubes; creamy brie pairs lovely with sweet blackberries

Pecans: add a nice crunchy texture to these blackberry brie bites

Puff pastry: you can use store-bought puff pastry to make this recipe super easy, it’s sold at most local grocery stores; you’ll need one puff pastry sheet

Fresh thyme: I love the flavour of fresh thyme leaves combined with the blackberry jam and brie flavours

Honey: finish this appetizer with a drizzle of honey to add a touch of sweetness.

How to make these blackberry brie pinwheels

Step 1: Lay puff pastry (defrosted) on a piece of parchment paper, roll out into about a 10×10 inch square. (If your puff pastry already comes as a rolled out sheet, there’s no need for anymore rolling).

Step 2: Spread the blackberry jam on the puff pastry, leaving about 1/2-1 inch border.

Step 3: Sprinkle the brie cheese cubes on top of the blackberry jam, then sprinkle over the chopped pecans.

Step 4: Start from the bottom (short end of the dough) and gently roll up into a tight log, trying to tuck in any filling that spills out. Wrap the log in the parchment paper and place in the freezer for 10 minutes while you preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 5: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 6: After 10 minutes, remove the puff pastry log from the freezer and cut into 3/4-inch slices using a sharp or serrated knife. You’ll end up with about 10-14 pinwheels.

Step 7: Place them on the baking sheet, making sure to leave space between each pinwheel and brush the top and sides of each with egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 tbsp water) if desired.

Step 8: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Leave on the baking sheet to cool.

Step 9: Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes and then serve on a plate, drizzling the pinwheels with honey and sprinkling on fresh thyme leaves.

Expert tips

• Be sure to take your puff pastry out of the freezer ahead of time so it has time to fully defrost before using. Generally you can defrost the puff pastry in the fridge overnight.
• Let these pinwheels fully cool and take them with you on a picnic!
• If fresh thyme isn’t your favourite, substitute with minced fresh rosemary in the Fall/Winter OR minced fresh basil in the Spring/Summer.
• Other delicious flavour variations include using apricot or fig jam instead of blackberry jam. During the holiday season make these into the perfect holiday appetizers by replacing the blackberry jam with cranberry sauce or cranberry jam to make cranberry brie pinwheels for your holiday parties!

Common questions

Can I use another type of cheese other than brie cheese?
I’ve made other versions of this easy appetizer recipe using goat cheese and it works well. If preferred, substitute the brie cheese for 1/2 cup crumbled plain goat cheese.

What if I can’t find blackberry jam? 
If you can’t find blackberry jam, blueberry, apricot, cherry or raspberry jam will work as well.

Can I use crescent dough to make these brie pinwheels?
I have not tested this recipe using crescent dough. As well, crescent dough can be thicker so I don’t recommend using it for this blackberry brie pinwheel recipe.

Can I make this appetizer ahead of time?
These flaky puff pastry pinwheels are best enjoyed fresh from the oven! You could make them an hour or two in advance, then warm them up in the oven at 300F for 5 minutes. They’re also delicious at room temperature!

How to store

These pinwheels are best served fresh from the oven! I don’t recommend storing them for longer than 2-3 hours.

More delicious appetizers to make from the blog

Easy Apricot Jam & Gruyere Cheese Puff Pastry Bites

Puff Pastry Baked Gruyere with Fig Jam & Rosemary

Prosciutto, Sage & Gruyere Puff Pastry Pinwheels

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Easy Blackberry Jam & Brie Puff Pastry Pinwheels

Make these easy Blackberry jam & brie pinwheels for a delicious appetizer anytime of year! Topped with honey & fresh thyme for a perfect bite

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword puff pastry

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Resting time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 10 -14 pinwheels

Author Jess

Ingredients

• 1 sheet defrosted frozen puff pastry
• 1/2 cup blackberry jam
• 1/2 cup cubed brie cheese, rind removed and cut into 1/2 inche cubes (about 125g / 4-5oz brie cheese)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
• egg wash (1 egg mixed with 1 tbsp water)
• honey and fresh thyme for garnish

Variation: Cherry Jam & Brie Pinwheels

• 1 sheet defrosted frozen puff pastry
• ½ cup cherry jam
• ½ cup cubed brie cheese about 125g / 4-5oz brie cheese, rind removed and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts
• Egg wash 1 egg whisked with 1 tbsp water
• Honey and fresh thyme for garnish

Instructions

• On a piece of parchment paper, roll out the defrosted puff pastry sheet into about 10×10 inch square. (If your puff pastry already comes as a rolled out sheet, there's no need for anymore rolling).
• Spread the blackberry jam on the puff pastry, leaving about 1/2-1 inch border.
• Sprinkle the brie cheese cubes on top of the blackberry jam, then sprinkle over the chopped pecans.
• Start from the bottom (short side) and gently roll up into a tight log, trying to tuck in any filling that spills out. Wrap the log in the parchment paper and place in the freezer for 10 minutes while you preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• After 10 minutes, remove the puff pastry log from the freezer and cut into 3/4-inch slices using a sharp or serrated knife. You’ll end up with about 10-14 pinwheels.
• Place them on the baking sheet, making sure to leave space between each pinwheel and brush the top and sides of each with egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 tbsp water) if desired.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Leave on the baking sheet to cool.
• Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes and then serve on a plate, drizzling the pinwheels with honey and sprinkling on fresh thyme leaves.

Variation: Cherry Jam & Brie Pinwheels

• On a piece of parchment paper, roll out the defrosted puff pastry sheet into about 10×10 inch square.
• Spread the cherry jam on the puff pastry, leaving about 1/2-1 inch border.
• Sprinkle the brie cheese cubes on top of the cherry jam, then sprinkle over the chopped walnuts.
• Start from the bottom and gently roll up into a tight log, trying to tuck in any filling that spills out. Wrap the log in the parchment paper and place in the freezer for 10 minutes while you preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• After 10 minutes, remove the puff pastry log from the freezer and cut into 1-inch slices using a sharp or serrated knife. You’ll end up with about 10 pinwheels.
• Place them on the baking sheet, making sure to leave space between each pinwheel and brush the top and sides of each with egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 tbsp water) if desired.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Leave on the baking sheet to cool.
• Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes and then serve on a plate, drizzling the pinwheels with honey and sprinkling on fresh thyme leaves.

The post Easy Blackberry Jam & Brie Puff Pastry Pinwheels appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

This recipe uses a fun kitchen hack – blackberry ice cubes!

It’s a refreshing twist on a simple cocktail that you’re sure to love.

I love fun summer cocktails like this Berry Rhubarb Kombucha Sangria and this Strawberry Lemonade Rosé Punch but these blackberry vodka drinks boast lots of flavors!

While many blackberry cocktails start with the addition of simple syrup and muddled blackberries, we’re using a fun twist instead making blackberry lime ice cubes for the base of this delicious summer cocktail.

In the Spring and Summer fresh berries are bursting with sweetness. So by blending blackberries, lime juice, sugar and water you get a bright, fresh ice cube packed with blackberry flavour.

Why you’ll love these blackberry vodka drinks

• You can make a batch of these blackberry ice cubes and have them on hand for fun fruity cocktails on any hot day.
• As the blackberry ice cubes melt into the refreshing drink, you’ll get more and more blackberry flavor!
• These blackberry ice cubes are so versatile! Add Prosecco or sparkling rosé to make a cocktail OR make a mocktail by adding ginger soda, club soda or sparkling water.

Ingredients needed to make this refreshing cocktail

Fresh blackberries: the star ingredient in this cocktail.

Lime juice: fresh lime juice works best in this recipe.

Sweetener: honey, sugar or even maple syrup works as the sweetener for this ice cube mixture.

Water: needed to bring the blackberry ice cube mixture together.

Vodka & Sparkling: to make this a cocktail add a good quality vodka and your sparkling beverage of choice (Prosecco or sparkling rosé).

Fresh mint: use a sprig of mint to garnish the cocktail and add another pop of colour.

Club soda or sparkling water: to even out the flavours of this cocktail.

Step by step process for making these drinks

Step 1: Blend all of the simple ingredients for the ice cubes together until smooth.  Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a small bowl if you desire less blackberry seeds in the ice cubes.

Step 2: Then, pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze. Makes 12-14 ice cubes.

Step 3: To make a cocktail, add 2-3 ice cubes to a rocks glass or your favourite cocktail glass. Then, add vodka and pour over your desired sparkling beverage. Give it a quick stir, top off with sparkling water or club soda and garnish with fresh mint sprigs, lime wedges or slices and florals if desired and enjoy!

The best part about these blackberry vodka drinks is you can adapt them to your tastes.  By having the blackberry ice cubes in the freezer, you can make this cocktail in a variety of ways!

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The Best Sparkling Blackberry Vodka Drinks Recipe

These Sparkling Blackberry Vodka Drinks are a fun & fizzy cocktail for the summer! You'll get the best flavour from the blackberry ice cubes.

Course Drinks

Cuisine american-inspired

Keyword vodka cocktail

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Ice Cube Freezing Time 12 hours hours

Total Time 12 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cocktail

Author Jess

Ingredients

For the blackberry lime ice cubes

• 1 1/2 cups blackberries (about 6oz/170g container)
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 3 tbsp honey or sugar
• 1 cup water

For a blackberry vodka drink

• 1 oz vodka
• 2 oz sparkling beverage of choice (prosecco or sparkling rosé)
• club soda or sparkling water

Instructions

• Blend all of the simple ingredients for the ice cubes together until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a small bowl if you desire less blackberry seeds in the ice cubes.
• Then, pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze. Makes 12-14 ice cubes.
• To make a cocktail, add 2-3 ice cubes to a rocks glass or your favourite cocktail glass. Then, add vodka and pour over your desired sparkling beverage. Give it a quick stir, top off with sparkling water or club soda and garnish with fresh mint sprigs, lime wedges or slices and florals if desired and enjoy!

Notes

• Prosecco, Cava or a Sparkling Rosé will all work in this recipe. However, each will bring a slightly different taste to the cocktail. If you like a sweeter cocktail, try to find a sparkling rosé that has a fruitier profile. If you like a more refreshing cocktail with less sweetness, try prosecco, cava or a more dry sparkling rosé.
• Make these ice cubes a few days ahead of a gathering. Then all you need to do is have vodka, a sparkling beverage and garnishes on hand to make easy cocktails for your guests.
• Want to make this a mocktail? Add a few of the blackberry ice cubes to a glass and top with club soda, tonic, ginger soda or soda water. You could even try a berry or lime flavoured sparkling water!

Expert tips to make these blackberry vodka drinks

• Make these ice cubes a few days ahead of a gathering. Then all you need to do is have vodka, a sparkling beverage and garnishes on hand to make easy cocktails for your guests.
• Want to make this a mocktail? Add a few of the blackberry ice cubes to a glass and top with club soda, tonic, ginger soda or soda water. You could even try a berry or lime flavoured sparkling water!

FAQ

Can I use another berry instead?
I haven’t tested this recipe with other berries but it’s possible raspberries could work as well!

What kind of sparkling beverage should I buy?
Prosecco, Cava or a Sparkling Rosé will all work in this recipe. However, each will bring a slightly different taste to the cocktail. If you like a sweeter cocktail, try to find a sparkling rosé that has a fruitier profile. If you like a more refreshing cocktail with less sweetness, try prosecco, cava or a more dry sparkling rosé.

You’re able to serve a group of people on a hot summer day once you have a batch of blackberry ice cubes on hand. The fresh ingredients in these blackberry vodka drinks really make this cocktail a stand-out I’m happy to serve friends!

More fresh fruit cocktail recipes to love from the blog:

Cucumber Cider Smash

Strawberry Rosé Spritzer

Minty Cucumber Lime Sangria

Cherry Bourbon Lemonade Smash

Until the next cooking adventure,

Jess

The post The Best Sparkling Blackberry Vodka Drinks Recipe appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.