Blackberry Fool - a creamy concoction of plump, juicy blackberries and fluffy whipped cream will have you licking the spoon clean! This easy to make recipe is pretty much foolproof !!!
Blackberry Fool
When juicy berries are in season, this classic British dessert comes to mind. A traditional Blackberry Fool is probably one of the easiest desserts to make!
Requiring only three ingredients - fruit, sugar and heavy whipping cream, this simple British dessert comes together in minutes! Mash up the fruit, add a little sugar if needed, whip the cream and stir the whole lot together.
Ingredients you will need:
- Fresh Blackberries - I used fresh blackberries, but fresh raspberries, blueberries or any stone fruit would work. Cooked rhubarb is also fantastic in this dessert! If you don't have fresh fruit, you can use frozen fruit but the flavor won't be quite as delicate.
- Heavy Whipping Cream - I used an organic whipping cream which has a higher fat content but use whatever heavy whipping cream you like.
- Sweetener - for this recipe I used granulated sugar but I've also used honey as well as golden syrup. Sugar has the most neutral flavor, but honey or golden syrup are delicious and give the whipped cream a deeper and richer flavor.
- Liqueur - I used Chambord but adding liqueur is completely OPTIONAL. I think it enhances the flavor of the fruit but if you don't drink, you absolutely can leave it out. If you do, you can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the whipped cream for a bit more flavor.
How to make a Fool!
Ok, I absolutely could not resist that pun! But seriously, this traditional blackberry fool almost doesn't need instructions, since it's SO EASY to make.
- Mash/puree the fruit. You can do this in a blender or food processor, but I just put the fruit in a bowl and used the back of a spoon to mash up the fruit. As to the texture, I like mine with larger chunks of fruit. How much you mash/puree the fruit is up to you!
- Sweeten the fruit if needed- Depending on how sweet your fruit is, you can add a little sugar or honey/syrup. Then add the liqueur if using.
- Whip the cream. Whip the cream until you have soft peaks. Drizzle in the sugar or honey/syrup and continue to whip until the cream has stiff peaks.
- Assemble the fool- Fold the fruit mixture into the whipped cream. You don't have to fully mix it in - I like it with streaks of cream and fruit but it works either way! Divide evenly between serving glasses. You can assemble the fool about two hours before serving. Refrigerate the fool if you aren't serving it immediately.
What to serve Blackberry Fool with!
Blackberry Fool is a fabulous dessert to serve when making...
- Yogurt-Marinated Chicken - lemon and mint flavor this easy marinade!
- Provencale Top Round Roast - a lovely braised roast with the flavors of Provence!
- Louie Salad - a refreshing shrimp salad with a classic dressing!
Other British Recipes to drool over!
- Treacle Tart - Harry Potter's favorite dessert!
- Sticky Toffee Pudding - made in the Instant Pot
- Victoria Sponge Cake - a traditional sponge cake filled with Limoncello cream and fresh strawberries!
If you enjoyed this recipe, I would LOVE for you to give it a 5-star rating! Cheers! Nancy
Blackberry Fool Recipe
📖Recipe
Blackberry Fool
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh blackberries frozen or fresh blackberries (if using canned, this is about 2 - 15 oz. cans)
- 1 -2 Tbsp. sugar
- 2 ½ Tbsp. Chambord OR 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 Tbsp. sugar or to taste
- 4 sprigs fresh mint for garnish optional
Instructions
- Add 1 ¾ cups fresh blackberries to a bowl. Using a spoon or potato masher, crush the blackberries. Alternatively, you can use a food processor or blender to mash/puree the blackberries.
- Stir in the Chambord or vanilla and the 2 Tbsp. sugar if desired.
- In the bowl of a large mixer, whip the cream until soft peaks form. Sprinkle in the sugar and whip until stiff peaks form.
- Place a large poonful of the fresh berries in the bottom of 4 small dessert bowls, glasses or goblets. Using a spoon, add a layer of whipped cream. Add another layer of berries. Top with another layer of whipped cream.
- Swirl the berries and whipped cream by pulling knife through the berries and cream.
- Garnish with the remaining blackberries and sprigs of fresh mint, if desired.
Recipe Notes
- You can substitute another fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries or blueberries for the blackberries. Cooked rhubarb can also be used - and it's delicious!
- I used granulated sugar to sweeten the whipped cream but you could also use honey or golden syrup. Use the same amount of honey or syrup as sugar to sweeten the whipped cream.
- Other liqueurs you could use instead of chambord include Grand Marnier or Port.
- The fools can be made up to 2 hours ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.
Chef Debbi says
Yum!
Marla says
Love the healthy dose of Chambord to make these fools extra special!
Allison [Girl's Guide to Social Media] says
I have definitely had those school dreams of arriving to my final and not studying or attending class. I've had all sorts of variations of this type of dream. Regarding the fool...I could eat it every day!
Nancy says
Me too Allison! It's way too tempting to have around!
Maria says
Blackberries are my favorite! Gorgeous!
Renee Fontes says
I love this! The pictures are beautiful as well, yummy... Great job Nancy!
Cookin' Canuck says
What may start off as a nightmare definitely ends with something good. This fool looks wonderful, Nancy! They really are the perfect dessert for last-minute entertaining and are the perfect reason to have fresh or frozen berries on hand.
HeatherChristo says
Oh Nancy, I am a fool for this fool! delicious and beautiful!
Lucy Lean says
And who doesn't need/want/love a boozy fool! I remember Gooseberry Fool as a child - delicious old fashioned British dessert. A little trick is to only purée half the fruit - mix it back in with the whole fruit and then combine with the whipped cream - for some reason this results in less separation and so you can make these a couple of hours in advance and refrigerate - enjoy x
Nancy says
Oooh.... going to have to remember that for this summer!! Great tip Lucy!!
Gloria says
I think I'm going to have to try a fool! I have never had one, but I love how simple it is. I will keep this in mind when a crowd shows up at my house with hungry appetites!
Nancy says
It definitely comes in handy Gloria - I love having recipes that I can make on the spur of the moment!
Jamie says
I hate to say it but I am usually unprepared and in a panic when I have expected and prepared for guests! Gorgeous dessert and I am a fool for blackberries (ha ha) and this fool is brilliant and delicious. What a great idea for an easy but luscious dessert.
Zee says
Nice name and great idea!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
I make a delicious fool each year with persimmons. I just love the texture. And it's SO easy.
Madonna says
No matter how delicious a meal is I think I need just a little something sweet to round out the meal. This is just the perfect dessert to keep on hand for a planned or an impromptu meal. Good job.
Your photos really draws you in. I think I like the first one best, but the others are pretty good too.
Julia says
No joke, I've been CRAVING a 'fool' for daaaaays! A blueberry one in particular, but I'd take this, in a second, the entire batch, right into my mouth! This is gorgeous, and the perfect last minute dessert just in case that 'dream' comes true.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says
Oh, boy, have I had that same dream! The final exam one. And another one - I dream that it's Christmas morning and I haven't bought gifts for anyone. Geez!
On a nicer note, however, this fool looks just delightful. Perfect for any dinner party, last minute or not.
Terra says
I seriously have those dreams all the time, especially when I was still in school, UGH! Your Blackberry Fool looks so beautiful! Such a fun recipe for anytime of the year:-) Hugs, Terra
Lisa says
I've been having a recurring dream for almost 5 years now, where I'm about to graduate college, but then I'm called down to the registrar's office and told I'm 15 credits short. Like you, I wake up in a small panic, then realize, 'phew..I did graduate'. Most of the time, this dream comes from late night eating lol That said, I don't care what time it is, I'd devour two of those blackberry fools, even if it meant 'the dream' again ;D
Nancy says
Ah, thanks Lisa!! My husband, who is not a "fruit as dessert" kind of guy even liked them!!
sippitysup says
I have a similar dream. Only it is the first day of class and I don't have a schedule and I am faced with so many doors. Behind one of the doors is the class I am supposed to go to. But w/o a schedule I just can't find it. So I go to the lunchroom and eat a blackberry fool. I made that last part up. But I think it's logical. GREG
Nancy says
I totally agree with you Greg!! LOL!!!
Magic of Spice says
That is one sexy fool! Love the addition of Chambord... totally delectable! And I should say this would have you well prepared, in case 🙂
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
I can't resit anything with Chambord in it and even better when it's so super easy to make!
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Nancy, these are so creamy and dreamy! The perfect way to showcase summer berries and so easy! Love it!
Valentina says
Nancy, I LOVE this. Such a simple yet brilliant dessert! I can think of many fruits I'd like to try it with and the boozy touch doesn't hurt. 😉 Yum!
Nancy says
Hi Valentina! It's definitely one of those kinds of recipes you want in your back pocket! Perfect when you need a quick dessert quickly!!