Marionberry Crisp is one of the best summertime desserts. Especially with a little cinnamon that will have guests guessing what the secret ingredient is.
I had to look up a la mode. No joke. It just happened. I know what it is, I just couldn’t remember if it was ala mode, or a la mode. Which is quite silly considering that ala mode doesn’t make any sense at all. I think it’s one of those mind blips, ya know like when you suddenly can’t remember how to spell the simplest word, “peel, peal, piel, stupid banana spell your own word!”
I grew up on crisps and cobblers. They were one of our favorite things that Mom would make for us. Kind of like this dutch oven peach crisp or cobbler. In fact, we had a lot of dutch oven food growing up. It was a summer tradition to go camping and dutch oven was our favorite way to eat.
Mom usually made au gratin potatoes and chicken, or this brisket is delicious too.
Heirloom Recipe
Anyway, we loved being outdoors, running around in the mountains all day, playing in the river and then having a big ol’ campfire where yes, we sang camp songs (Three Sharp toothed buzzards, I’m a Villain, The Other Day I Met a Bear and so on) and roasted marshmallows. But the best part was always whatever Mom whipped up in the dutch ovens, or occasionally the reflector ovens. Dude, my mom is a pro. We even had lashed together trees to make our own kitchen and bathroom areas.
One year we went camping on horseback. First, I learned I was getting increasingly more allergic to horses, second we all learned that the Oregon mountains had really scary cliffs that the horses would slip on, jump logs and get spooked in, oh and swift rivers that we would have to ride horses across with our legs in the water it was so deep.
Then, once we got to camp we unloaded the mules and were left by our guides to survive for a week. I don’t know if I ever could have prepared for that trip like mom did, but it was amazing. If it wasn’t for the horses I’d do it again. It was so peaceful and beautiful. And all we had were each other. I wish we could experience it again.
Anyway, the point is, this crisp is an heirloom recipe. It’s been around forever and will continue through the generations as I pass it along to my children and teach them about taking time to just be together as a family without distractions. And it happens to be incredibly delicious and there’s a few secrets to it that you’ll have to read through the recipe to discover.
Ingredients for a Marionberry Crisp
Some of the best desserts are made with just a few ingredients! That’s when you know the fruit is the star of the show…you don’t need much more to make it shine! Here is your ingredient list:
For the Filling
- Marionberries
- Granny Smith Apple
- Sugar
- Flour
- Cinnamon
For the Topping
- Flour
- Butter
- Old Fashioned Oats
- Brown Sugar
- Salt
- Ice Cream (optional)
The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
How to Make a Marionberry Crisp
A simple ingredients list should mean a quick and easy recipe. If it’s something you can make out in the middle of nowhere camping, then it can’t be too complicated! Here are the basic steps:
- Preheat the oven.
- Combine all the ingredients for the filling in a bowl.
- Pour the filling into two tart dishes (or an 8×8 baking dish).
- Combine all the dry ingredients for the topping in a separate bowl.
- Add the butter and combine using a pastry blender.
- Use your hands to mix the topping and squeeze it until it comes together.
- Bake.
- Serve with ice cream. This is optional of course, but the answer is always yes!
What is a Marionberry?
Marion blackberry, marketed as marionberry, is a blackberry that is a cross between the ‘Chehalem’ and ‘Olallie’ blackberries.
It was developed in Marion County, Oregon.
The marionberry is a little tart but is larger, sweeter and juicier than the ‘Evergreen’ blackberry.
Are Marionberries Good For You?
Marionberries contain high levels of Vitamin C.
They also contain antioxidants that help promote circulatory health, and fight against cancer.
What is a Crisp?
A crisp is a type of American dessert, usually consisting of a type of fruit, baked with a crispy topping.
The topping usually consists of butter, flour, oats, brown sugar and usually spices, such as cinnamon and/or nutmeg.
It’s a good thing that marionberries are only in season for a short time or else I’d be making this crisp way too often! Those warm berries with that crunchy topping and the hint of cinnamon is what summer dessert dreams are made of!
More Mouth-watering Summer Fruit Desserts:
- Peach Cobbler
- Peach Crisp
- Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake
- Blueberry Pie
- Peach Hand Pies
- Brown Sugar Peach Pie Bars
- Strawberry Pie
- Razzleberry Pie
- Deep Fried Peaches
- Grilled Chocolate Strawberry Croissants
- Deep Fried Strawberry Shortcakes
*This is a sponsored post on behalf of the Utah Dairy Council
Marionberry Crisp a la Mode
Description
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 8 Cups Marionberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 Apple, Granny Smith, grated
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Flour
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon, Saigon
For the Topping
- 1 Cup Flour
- 3/4 Cup Butter, unsalted
- 1 1/2 Cups Rolled Oats, Old Fashioned, quick works fine too-and we prefer Quaker Oats
- 1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar
- 1 Pinch Salt
- Ice Cream for serving-we use Tillamook
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a bowl, mix together the berries, apple, sugar and flour.
- Pour into two tart dishes, or an 8x8" baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, sugar, salt and mix to combine thoroughly.
- Add the butter and using a pastry cutter, cut it into the mixture.
- Then, use your hands to gently squeeze and mix the topping until it all comes together when you squeeze it in the palm of your hand.
- Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until golden on top.
- Serve with ice cream
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products
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Jen
We just bought a house in Oregon to spend more time with my mother. Her all time favorite dessert is Marionberry Cobbler! She used to order it at “Heidi’s” in Yachats, but now that restaurant closed. So excited to surprise her with this recipe once we move out there.
Question: You say divide between “two” tart dishes, could you modify this recipe for 6 individual tart dishes?
Sweet Basil
You definitely can modify it!
Gabby
Almost just had a heart attack when my saved link to this recipe errored out 😱 So glad I found it with the search! I’ve been following this recipe for 4 years for every special event, backyard BBQ, random Sunday night dessert! So versitile and easy to make gluten free! So far my favorite has been with apricots and nectarines 😍 Fresh picked Pear-apple is in the oven now!
Sweet Basil
Oh my goodness, apricots and nectarines?!! GENIUS! I’m totally coming over for dessert. like, really. 😉
Amanda
Made this with some berries I had frozen from the summer and it came out super wet. What would you recommend to fix that if using frozen berries. Taste was amazing even still and my kiddos gobbled it up! Thanks in advance.
Sweet Basil
Were the berries store bought or fresh when frozen? A homegrown or local farm berry tends to be juicier as they are picked at a better time. When we use fresh frozen berries I drain them off a little and add a little more flour into the pot when cooking.
Laura
Ok, I’m terrible at inferring anything from recipes. I have fresh frozen berries. When do you drain them off? After it’s done baking? And when you say add more flour to the pot, do you mean more flower to the berry mixture before pouring it into the pan? Thanks! So excited to make this!
Sweet Basil
If you froze the berries they won’t be covered in juices, so you won’t need to drain them before cooking. Store bought have additional juices. Sorry, missing what you mean by the flour question
Stephanie
Excited to make this tonight! Just picked A TON of marionberries today (why does spell check not recognize that berry??) Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Sweet Basil
AMEN! It corrects marionberry for me every time. And, you have no idea how jealous we are. We cannot get them at all around here anymore.
Erica
Just made this. Excellent recipe! Everyone loved it! Thanks.
Sweet Basil
Did you??!! Thank you so much! It’s one of our absolute faves!
Heather T.
I’m going to make this, but it seems you don’t include where to put the apple. I’m going to assume with the berries! =) Sounds quick and delicious, just what I need… Thanks (from the Oregon Coast)!
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Heidi @foodiecrush
I’m a cobbler and crisp girl too! Any day of the week it’s my choice for dessert, and love the marionberries, great idea. Too bad the horses turned you off, they don’t deserve you anyhow 🙂
Sweet Basil
sometimes I look at people going horse back riding and I’m totally jealous, but yeah lungs closing off is never worth it. Seriously the best camping trip ever though.
Nutmeg Nanny
Oh goodness, this is absolutely amazing! I love this recipe 🙂
Sweet Basil
Thank you!!! It’s such a favorite around here! I’m kind of obsessed… sshhhhh
Dina
sounds delish! i love berries.
madscar
Uau this is amazing:) I love it!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
I’m not much of a cobbler person, not sure why, but that’s about to change very soon! I want to dive right in!
Ashley
This is stunningly beautiful! I haven’t cooked with marionberries before. Looks wonderful!
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Jocelyn @ BruCrew Life
This dessert looks beautiful, and I’m sure tastes like heaven!!
ashley – baker by nature
Where the heck can I find some marionberries?! Because, I need this crisp!!! SOOOOOOOO gorgeous, friend!!! xo
Sweet Basil
If you aren’t in the Pacific northwest you’ll have ot go to costco in the frozen berries or grocery stores in the frozen berries. They come and go, but when costco gets them we stock up. If all else fails you can do blackberry or blackberry and raspberry
MyKidsEatSquid
I’ve never even heard of Marionberries. I’ll have to see if there’s anything like that here in Ohio.
Sweet Basil
ccheck your frozen berry section especially in costco
Des @ Life’s Ambrosia
Oh man, marionberries. I fell in love with marionberry cobbler when I used to work at a restaurant in Vancouver and we served it. Love love love them! Thanks for reminding me 🙂
Sweet Basil
If it was Sherry’s, Sherries I can’t remember but either way I’ll die. I love that we are from the same place
Shawn @ I Wash You Dry
What a gorgeous dessert! My husband grew up on this stuff too. Must be a Utah thing. We do dutch oven cobblers all the time when we are camping, nothing beats a hot cobbler under the stars! 🙂
Sweet Basil
I totally grew up on it too but in Washington. I guess they only grow in oregon. What the heck/?!! I hate that I can only buy frozen
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious
Totally my kind of dessert, with all of the melty ice cream…duh-lic-ious!!!
Sweet Basil
thanks Gerry!
chels R.
Mmmm, I adore Marionberries!
Sweet Basil
me too!!! They are seriously amazing
Carla @ Carlas Confections
This is gorgeous!
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig
I had no idea you lived here in the PNW until we talked about it in Austin, it is a special place and I hope you get to come back! And we can hang out and go to food trucks in Portland.
This crisp is nothing less than amazing of course!!!
Rocky Mountain Woman
I would love a slice of that with my coffee right now!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking
This is gorgeous, Carrian! A must-make dessert in my kitchen this summer, for sure! I don’t think I’ve ever had marionberries before…
Sweet Basil
WHAT?!!!! Girl, get on that. Do you have a costco by you? Ours sells them in the frozen foods and you don’t even want to see how many I keep in our outside freezer. crazy!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite
What a lovely A La Mode!
Sweet Basil
Thank you!!!!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
That is so beautiful and I have never worked with marionberries before!
Tieghan
This sounds amazing, but looks even better! I am in awe! Stunning!