The Secret Ingredient to the Best Berry Cobbler Is Already in Your Fridge

It’s July, and that means it’s peak blueberry season. And while blueberries are perfect for snacking on their own, or in a fruit salad, these little nuggets of sweet-tart goodness practically beg to get used in desserts. Of all the amazing fruit desserts out there, from slumps to sonkers to crisps to pandowdies, there’s nothing that beats a classic cobbler.

If you’re looking for a blueberry cobbler recipe that checks two very important boxes—easy AND delicious—Allrecipes’ Best Ever Blueberry Cobbler has got you covered. Fruit cobblers are beloved for their just-sweet-enough topping and juicy filling. In this recipe, the blueberry flavor shines in part thanks to the help of one ingredient in particular: orange juice.

Why Use Orange Juice In a Fruit Cobbler

The orange juice is one of just three ingredients in the filling: fresh blueberries, a few tablespoons of white sugar, and orange juice. The orange juice does two things. It adds a bright, fruity flavor, and it also helps create the proper texture for the filling. You can use store-bought orange juice, but we recommend fresh-squeezed orange juice for the best flavor. Without orange juice, the filling would have a less complex flavor, and it would be too tight.

While you don’t want a soupy cobbler filling, you do want it to have a luscious, saucy texture that soaks into some of the topping. This recipe uses the perfect amount of liquid to achieve that texture. According to one Allrecipes member, “Most cobblers are just too runny, so I couldn't believe that the filling on the bottom wasn't too juicy; it was just right for me.”

Many cobblers rely on tart lemon juice to enhance fruit flavor. But, they may also require more sugar to balance out the acidity. Orange juice is less acidic and sweeter than lemon juice, which works well in this recipe.

What Others Recommend Adapting in the Best Ever Blueberry Cobbler

This blueberry cobbler recipe has been a fan favorite for years (it’s got over 1,000 ratings with a  4.6 star average rating and over 900 reviews). Allrecipes members have shared how they make this recipe their own. Peanutty says, “I've made this recipe a few times now and must say that the addition of cinnamon both into the berry mixture and cobbler batter really makes this recipe pop.” Another member commented, “I added a 1/4 cup of water to the orange juice because we like a little more juice. So glad we have blueberry bushes, that way we can have this treat at least once a month for over a year.” And because this recipe calls for an 8x8-inch pan, many commenters made recommendations to increase all ingredient quantities and bake in a larger 9x13-inch baking pan.