This No-Bake Blackberry Slump Is a Retro Delight

This classic summer dessert is made entirely on the stovetop.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated November 05, 2024
Elise Bauer
Blackberry slump in a bowl with cream pouring over the top

Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh

Have you ever heard of a dessert called a slump? The Joy of Cooking defines a slump as "steamed fruit topped with dumplings."

I first encountered the idea of a slump in a cookbook about the cooking of Newport, Rhode Island, in the first chapter on colonial cooking.

Apparently, this dessert goes back to colonial days. It's synonymous with a "grunt," and which word you use (slump or grunt) depends on the locale. In Rhode Island, slump is used. In Massachusetts, grunt is more common.

Etymology aside, what's cool about slumps is that they are like cobblers, except they're made on the stovetop instead of the oven, and they have dumplings instead of biscuits.

Blackberry Slump in a pot with a wooden spoon and serving in a bowl on the side

Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh

Yes, berries cooked with sugar, topped with dumplings. (You should have seen my dad's face when I explained the dessert I made for him. The way he lit up when the word "dumpling" was mentioned was priceless.)

Soft, fluffy dumplings, bathed in sweet, tart, ruby berries, and doused with cream.

Sigh.

Dad practically ate the whole batch!

This recipe uses blackberries because that's what I happened to have, but you could use any berry. Traditionally in New England native blueberries are used. I do recommend serving this with cream or vanilla ice cream. Blackberries can be quite tart, which the cream can help cut.

More Berry Magic

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Blackberry Slump

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Servings 4 to 6 servings

This recipe uses blackberries, but you could easily use any berry you like such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries (or a mix).

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Ingredients

For the dumplings

  • 1 cup (130g) all-purpose flour

  • 2 tablespoons sugar

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 1/3 cup whole milk

For the berries

  • 4 cups (about 24 ounces) fresh or frozen (defrosted and drained) blackberries

  • 1/2 to 3/4 (100 to 150g) cup sugar (depending on how sweet your berries are and how sweet you want your slump to be)

  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • 1/3 cup water

  • Whipping cream or vanilla ice cream, for topping

Method

  1. Make the dumplings:

    In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

    Cut the butter into small cubes and add to the flour. Using a pastry cutter, two knives, or your clean hands, cut the butter into the flour until the flour resembles a coarse meal.

    Add the milk all at once and stir until the flour is just moistened. Handling the dough as little as possible, form into a shaggy ball. Set aside.

  2. Make the filling:

    In a 2-quart saucepan or 10-inch wide and at least 2-inch deep skillet (with a tight-fitting lid), add the berries, sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest, lemon juice, and water. Heat until boiling, stirring a few times so that the berries are well coated with the sauce.

    blackberry-slump-method-1
    Elise Bauer
    blackberry-slump-method-2
    Elise Bauer
  3. Add the dumpling dough:

    Once the berry mixture is boiling, tear off spoonful chunks from the dough ball and drop onto the fruit around the edges of the pot. You should have enough dough for 6 dumplings.

    blackberry-slump-method-3
    Elise Bauer
  4. Cover and simmer:

    Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer. Cook for 25 minutes without peeking at the dumplings.

    Place the dumplings in serving bowls and top with the berries. Serve with cream or ice cream. Serve hot or chilled.

    blackberry-slump-method-4
    Elise Bauer
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
276 Calories
5g Fat
56g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 276
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 3g 14%
Cholesterol 12mg 4%
Sodium 337mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 56g 20%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Total Sugars 35g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 21mg 104%
Calcium 117mg 9%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 200mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.