Jennifer Garner’s Mom’s 8-Ingredient Blackberry Cobbler Is as Heartwarming as It Is Delicious
This family recipe is so good, Jennifer Garner’s mom made it three times in one week!
There’s something undeniably heartwarming about Jennifer Garner. Whether she’s smiling on your tv screen or whipping up something delicious on her “Pretend Cooking Show,” Garner has a way of making fans feel like they’re part of her inner circle. But as much as we adore her, it’s her mom, Pat Garner, who often steals the spotlight when the two team up in the kitchen. And their blackberry cobbler? It’s the family dessert we all need in our lives. Garner first introduced the world to this crowd-pleasing cobbler in 2021, but it was her and Mama Pat’s appearance on the TODAY show in June 2024 that solidified its status as a must-try dessert. Here’s how to make it with your loved ones in under an hour.
An easy recipe with a side of nostalgia
While the internet has affectionately dubbed this recipe, “Jennifer Garner’s blackberry cobbler,” the actress was quick to give credit to someone else. The dish was actually given to Mama Pat from a neighbor and lifelong family friend, Barbara Lantz or “Mrs. L” (who Garner considers her “bonus mom”), making it even more special. Check out the viral video below, which has over four million views:
“Mrs. Lantz was the very best cook,” Jennifer shared on TODAY. “This is a recipe she gave my mom, and Mom—how often did you make it this last week?”
“I made it three times,” Mama Pat replied with a smile.
And who could blame her? With just eight simple ingredients and a no-fuss method, this blackberry cobbler is a potluck hero. According to Pat, it’s always the first dish to disappear. “I recently had a potluck on my back deck, and I looked over, and people were getting their cobbler first,” she said. “I never have to take any home with me.”
Ingredients in Jennifer Garner’s blackberry cobbler
This cobble’s charm doesn’t come with any fancy ingredients. To make the beloved Garner family recipe, you’ll need:
- 4 cups fresh blackberries
- ¼ tsp. almond extract
- 1 Tbs. lemon juice
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp. alt
- 1 egg
- 6 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted
That’s it! The result? A dessert so good that Jennifer and her mom both insist it’s best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. “With ice cream?” Garner asks Pat, who nods back. “Yum!” Garner exclaims at the end of the video.
How to make Jennifer Garner’s blackberry cobbler
The rave reviews from the TODAY hosts say it all. “Fantastic,” they all agreed, with Hoda Kotb declaring, “I might finish the plate.” Here’s a step-by-step guide adapted from Garner’s Instagram post.
- Total Time: About 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Prep the oven and baking dish: Preheat your oven to 425°F and grease a small, 9×6-inch baking dish.
- Mix the fruit base: Rinse the blackberries (“mom doesn’t care if you dry them,” notes Garner) and spread them evenly in the prepared dish. Then, drizzle lemon juice and almond extract over the blackberries.
- Create the crumble topping: In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, flour and salt. Add the egg, mixing gently until clumps form. (Don’t worry if not all the dry ingredients are incorporated; as Garner says, “It’s no big deal.”)
- Assemble the cobbler: Pinch off clumps of the mixture and scatter them over the blackberries for a rustic topping.
- Add butter and bake: Drizzle melted butter over the cobbler and bake for about 25 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and bubbly.
While blackberries are the star of this dessert, the cobbler’s versatility makes it a year-round favorite. Yes, even in January you can enjoy it all the same. When weatherman Al Roker asked on TODAY if you could substitute blueberries, Mama Pat was quick to respond. “Oh yes,” she said, adding, “You can use peaches, too.”
Garner also encourages experimenting with whatever fruit is in season. The simple topping pairs well with various flavors, so the possibilities are endless.
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