Skip to main content

Spiced Blueberry Grunt

3.2

(12)

One serving of grunt a cakelike dessert with a heap of saucy blueberries scooped into a small bowl and topped with...
Photo by Noel Barnhurst

Grunts get their quirky name from the fact that the fruit, which is topped with dumplings and cooked on the stove in a covered skillet, can make a grunting sound as the dessert steams. Molasses adds sweetness and a lovely depth of flavor.

Ingredients

Filling:

4 cups fresh blueberries (from four 1/2-pint containers)
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/4 cup mild-flavored (light) molasses
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Dumplings:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
3 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
3/4 cup whole milk

To serve:

Whipped cream, chilled whipping cream, or vanilla ice cream

Preparation

  1. For filling:

    Step 1

    Mix all ingredients in 12-inch-diameter skillet. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until berries soften and mixture thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, prepare dumplings:

    Step 2

    Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles fine meal. Add milk; stir just until blended and sticky dough forms.

    Step 3

    Drop batter by tablespoonfuls onto simmering berry mixture, placing close together. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover skillet and simmer until dumplings are firm and tester inserted into dumplings comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Scoop warm dessert into bowls.

  3. To serve:

    Step 4

    Top with whipped cream, whipping cream, or ice cream.

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Charred chicken breasts coated in a tangy dry rub sit atop a fresh salad of tomatoes, cucumber, and onions.
This frozen cocktail uses instant espresso for a strong flavor and unbeatable convenience.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Crispy tots topped with savory-sweet sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, scallion, and katsuobushi.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.