Creating Blackberry Dumplings is simple and rewarding. Follow these easy steps to bring this delicious dessert to life:

1. Prepare the Blackberry Filling: In a bowl, combine the fresh blackberries, ½ cup of granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Gently toss to coat the berries and set aside to macerate.

2. Make the Dumpling Dough: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using). In another bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and the remaining ½ cup of sugar.

3. Combine Mixtures: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter should be thick but smooth.

4. Form the Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter over the prepared blackberry mixture in a baking dish. Ensure the dumplings are spaced apart, as they will expand during cooking.

5. Bake the Dumplings: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25 minutes or until the dumplings are golden and cooked through, and the blackberries are bubbling.