Add your berries to a container that has a lid. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar. Close the lid, and give the berries a light shake. Set aside for 1 hour.
Pre-heat over to 425F
In a 13- x 9-inch baking dish add berries, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp of vanilla, lemon juice, cornstarch, and sprinkle cinnamon generously over the top. Stir ingredients together.
Place the dish in the over for 10 minutes.
In a sauce pan bring the water to a boil.
Cut butter in to small pieces.
In a large bowl combine the flour, 1/2 sugar, baking powder, salt, 1 tsp of cinnamon (or more to taste), 1 tsp of vanilla, and butter.
Slowly add the boiling water and mix ingredients in to a batter.
Remove the berries from the oven.
With a spoon, carefully add scoops of the mixture over the top of the berries.
Bake for 30-45 minutes. Check at 30 minutes and continue until the top is a nice golden color, and the liquid is bubbling around the sides.
Remove from oven and let rest for 30 minutes.