Blueberry Sonker

A Blueberry Sonker is a deep-dish fruit dessert similar to a cobbler, traditionally from North Carolina, especially Surry County. Unlike a cobbler or crisp, a sonker has its own unique twist—it often includes a pourable milk-based sauce, called a “dip”, that’s added either during or after baking. This gives it a luscious, creamy finish that sets it apart.

Here’s a classic Blueberry Sonker recipe you can try:

🫐 Blueberry Sonker with Milk Dip

Ingredients

For the Sonker:

4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Milk Dip:

1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Prepare the filling:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a mixing bowl, toss blueberries with sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, cinnamon (if using), and salt.
Pour into a buttered 9×9-inch baking dish or deep pie dish.

2. Make the batter topping:

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, milk, vanilla, and melted butter until smooth.
Pour batter evenly over the blueberries.

3. Bake:

Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and cooked through, and the blueberries are bubbling.

4. Make the milk dip:

While the sonker is baking, whisk milk, sugar, flour, salt, and vanilla in a small saucepan.
Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened (about 5–7 minutes).
Set aside to cool slightly.

5. Serve:

Spoon the warm sonker into bowls and drizzle with warm milk dip.
Optional: Add whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

🍽️ Tips

You can swap blueberries for blackberries, strawberries, peaches, or even a mix.
The dip is optional, but it’s part of what makes it a true sonker!

Would you like a printable or simplified version?