If you’ve ever traveled through the foothills of North Carolina, you might have come across a dessert that feels both familiar and intriguingly different: the sonker. Somewhere between a cobbler and a pie, sonker is a deep-dish fruit dessert that has been passed down through generations in Surry County and beyond. While apple and sweet potato are traditional favorites, summertime calls for the juicy burst of blueberries, making a blueberry sonker an irresistible treat.
What Makes a Sonker Unique?
Unlike cobblers, which often have a biscuit-like topping, or pies, with their structured crusts, a sonker is more rustic. It’s baked in a deep pan, allowing the fruit to bubble up and meld with a simple batter or dough. Some versions are topped with a “dip,” a sweet milk sauce poured over the dessert just before serving, giving it an old-fashioned richness.
The beauty of a blueberry sonker lies in its simplicity. With just a few pantry staples and fresh (or frozen) blueberries, you can have a dessert that’s equal parts comforting and impressive.
Ingredients You’ll Need
4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 cup granulated sugar (adjust for sweetness of berries)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons cornstarch (for thickening)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 cup sugar (for the batter)
1 stick unsalted butter (melted)
Optional: a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon
For the optional “Dip” (sweet milk sauce):
1 cup whole milk or cream
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
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