I am going to start things off by saying this is THE BEST SUMMER DESSERT EVER. I have made it three times in the last 8 days, which is absurd because I am moving in less than 3 weeks and I should really be using my spare time to pack and not bake.
But, that’s how good this Vegan Brown Butter Peach Cobbler is. A rich cobbler batter gets swirled with vegan brown butter, then topped with fresh summer peaches and juicy blueberries coated in a warming sugar-and-spice mixture. The result is a texture that is sticky and caramelized on top, yet fluffy and tender on the inside. It feels like part peach cobbler, part cake in the best way possible.
Why you’re going to LOVE this Vegan Brown Butter Peach Cobbler
Texture, texture texture. This vegan peach cobbler has the best of texture worlds. The brown butter bubbles up in the oven, and transforms the cobbler batter into a sticky, caramelized cake with edges and bits that are almost crunchy. Meanwhile, the inside of the cake is fluffy, tender, and melts in your mouth.
Pure Decadence. This is the most decadent dessert you can imagine (hello, brown butter)! Imagine the most buttery, most indulgent cake ever. This is it! I promise no one will ever guess this peach cobbler is vegan, which means it’s the perfect dessert to bring to an event, whether it’s a potluck, barbecue, or any other socially distanced summer gathering.
Easy to make. While this recipe might sound complicated or challenging, it’s actually very easy and quick to prepare. Especially with the handy step-by-step photos and video instructions. No pastry dough required, the cobbler batter simply involves whisking together a few ingredients (flour, sugar, milk), and it’s 10 times easier than making pie! But just as tasty as pie, if not tastier.
Summer heaven. Peaches are at their peak right now, and this is such a fantastic way to enjoy them. Peaches get married with coconut sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and fresh nutmeg for delightfully warm and rich flavors.
Ingredient Rundown
Vegan Butter
While vegan butter doesn’t brown in the same exact way as dairy-based butter because it lacks milk solids, it does get browner and richer in flavor.
After vegan butter is toasted for several minutes, it becomes noticeably deeper, richer, and toastier in flavor, which makes the cobbler so incredibly delicious and packed with flavor. Plus, once you start browning the butter, an intoxicatingly nutty aroma will waft throughout your kitchen.
This recipe calls for a generous amount of vegan butter (10 tablespoons, to be precise), but I already told you it was decadent!
Peaches. This is a peach cobbler! You want to use ripe but slightly firm peaches so they don’t totally disintegrate during baking.
Blueberries. Technically this is a blueberry-peach cobbler, but if you don’t have blueberries, don’t let that detract you from making this. You could also substitute them with blackberries or raspberries.
Coconut Sugar and Spices. The peaches and blueberries macerate with coconut sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg. I like using coconut sugar (or brown sugar) instead of white sugar since it pairs beautifully with these warming spices. The cardamom is optional, but if you can, use freshly grated nutmeg. It makes a difference, I promise.
All-Purpose Flour. All-purpose-flour brings the structure to this cobbler. If allergic to gluten, a gluten-free all purpose flour (with xanthan gun) should work well.
Rolled Oats. Oats aren’t traditional in a cobbler, but I love the subtle texture they bring to this rustic cake/cobbler hybrid.
How to Make Brown Vegan Butter
Browning vegan butter is fairly similar to browning regular butter! All you need is a skillet and vegan butter.
First, slice your vegan butter into even sized pieces. I sliced them into ~1 tablespoon pieces. Even-sized pieces means the butter will cook evenly.
Second, heat a skillet (a cast iron skillet or stainless steel skillet works great) over medium heat. I like using a cast iron skillet because it keeps this a one-pan recipe.
Next, add your vegan butter pieces, and once they’re melted, stir the butter frequently. Frequent stirring is important for even browning and to prevent burning. Also, frequent stirring or swirling the pan allows you to see your browning progress. The butter will start to foam after several minutes, and then shortly afterwards, it will become this beautiful amber-golden brown color. You’ll also start to smell that toasty, nutty aroma.
Finally, as soon as the butter is browned, take it off the heat to stop it from overcooking.
Step by step instructions
Slice your peaches into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices. Mix in some blueberries, and toss in the coconut sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg. Gently toss (don’t smash the peaches) and let the mixture macerate for 30 minutes. This softens the peaches but also helps the fruit absorb the flavors of the sugar and spices.
Then, make the cobbler batter. This part is remarkably easy! Just whisk together the flour, oats, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Then whisk in the oat milk and extracts and mix until thickened and well-combined.
Now comes the fun part! Using a ladle or measuring cup, dollop the batter in blobs on top of the brown butter. The cobbler will eventually swirl into the brown butter. Ladling, instead of pouring all of the batter on top of the browned butter at once, helps the butter swirl and mix into batter.
Finally, gently spoon the peach-blueberry mixture on top of the brown butter cobbler mixture. In the photos below, I just randomly spooned the fruit on top. In the video, I neatly arranged the peach slices in a row.
Guess what? They both tasted delicious. I couldn’t tell the difference lol.
Bake the cobbler at 375°F/190°C for 45-50 minutes, turning the pan 180° halfway through to ensure even browning (most ovens are hotter in the back). The cobbler is done when it is bubbling around the edges and deeply golden brown on top.
Tips for making this Vegan Brown Butter Peach Cobbler
Keep an eye on the browning butter. You can’t just walk away from the kitchen when you’re browning butter. You need to keep your eyes on the pan to ensure the butter browns evenly and doesn’t burn.
Adjust the sugar amount as needed. If your peaches are very sweet, you can slightly reduce the amount of sugar in the cobbler batter.
Adjust the salt, as needed. Many vegan butters have salt added, but if your vegan butter doesn’t have salt in it, slightly increase the amount of salt.
Use a cast iron skillet if you have one. You get maximal caramelization and the most delightful sticky, crunchy edges. It’s still great in other pans, though. I used a deep 2-quart pan in these photos and it worked wonderfully. A 3-quart pan also works, but will produce a thinner cake.
Substitutes for this this recipe
No coconut sugar for the peach-blueberry filling? Brown sugar works the same.
While this is a peach cobbler, in the event you have nectarines instead of peaches, I’m sure this would be an equally delicious nectarine cobbler.
No blueberries? Substitute with blackberries or raspberries.
If peaches are no longer in season, you can try making this with frozen peaches. One reader who did so recommends defrosting the peaches a bit and pat somewhat dry before mixing with the spices and blueberries.
PS: There is no substitute for the vegan butter in this recipe! This is a BROWN BUTTER peach cobbler, not a coconut oil peach cobbler or olive oil peach cobbler. Just saying.
Watch! How to make Vegan Brown Butter Peach Cobbler
My FAVORITE Vegan Dessert for Summer 🍑
If you give this Vegan Brown Butter Peach Cobbler recipe a try, be sure to tag me on Instagram with your recreations and please comment with your feedback below!
Vegan Brown Butter Peach Cobbler
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454g) ripe but relatively firm peaches
- 1/2 cup (75-85g) fresh blueberries
- 1/3 cup (45g) brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (I recommend freshly grated nutmeg)
- Scant 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 pinches of ground cardamom (optional)
- 10 tablespoons (140g) vegan butter*
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- Scant 2/3 cup (60g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup (200g) organic cane sugar
- 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (the range is based on saltiness of your butter; I used a heaping 1/4 teaspoon or scant 1/2 teaspoon; use less if using sea salt instead)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/3 cups (320 mL) full-fat oat milk***
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract (optional)
- For serving: vegan vanilla ice cream (optional)
Instructions
- Arrange a rack in the middle of your oven and preheat it to 375°F/190°C.
- Cut the peaches in half and remove the pits, then cut the peaches into 1/4-1/2 inch thick slices (3/4 cm - 1 1/4 cm). Transfer the peaches to a medium or large bowl. Add the blueberries, coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom (if using), and toss gently to combine. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the fruit to absorb the flavors.
- Brown the butter. Heat a large cast iron skillet (11- or 12-inch) over medium heat. Add the vegan butter to the pan, and use a spatula to spread it across the sides of the pan. Once it’s melted, foamy, and at a bubble (it should take 2 to 3 minutes), heat for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning, then take the pan off the heat.See note below on alternative pan sizes.**
- Make the cake. In a medium or large bowl, combine the flour, oats, cane sugar, salt, and baking powder. Whisk in the oat milk and vanilla extract and almond extract (if using) until well combined. Using a ladle or measuring cup, ladle the batter on top of the brown butter in the pan. Ladling, instead of pouring all of the batter on top at once, helps the butter swirl and mix into batter. Top the cobbler with the peach-blueberry mixture.
- Bake the cobbler for 45-50 minutes, rotating the pan 180° halfway through to ensure even browning, until the top is deeply golden brown and bubbling.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes, then serve warm. If desired, scoop some vegan vanilla ice cream on each slice before serving.
Notes
Am I able to use earth balance instead of the butter you’ve suggested?
We’ve only tried using Country Crock Plant Butter and Miyoko’s and they both brown well. I would suggest trying a small batch test with earth balance and seeing how it works before making the full recipe!
I used more peaches and I think next time I’d use brown sugar, but this recipe is delicious!!! The middle is soft and full of flavor and the outsides have that nice crispy chewy crunch. And a huge bonus that it’s vegan.
Glad you enjoyed it, Carly!
Made this for the first time yesterday as a dessert to be brought over to neighbors who were having us over for dinner.
Nisha, you’re absolutely correct. This was an easy recipe all though I was hyper vigilant about the browning butter process.
I have to be honest, I wish I had read the entire recipe first! I used “Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free” All Purpose Flour. I also used “Silk” Oat Milk. Because I had two nectarines I had to use up, I used two peaches and two nectarines.
I final took your advice and ground my own fresh nutmeg… WOW, what a difference! I did have to skip on the Cardamom, since I didn’t have any.
The batter turned out to be soupy texture, which left me wondering if it was going to bake right as I was ladling it into the brown butter. Because of the thinner texture the fruit tended to sink into the batter.
All turned out well in the end and the cobbler was a bit more like a bread pudding texture, which was not a complaint by any of us enjoying it. Note, it was thoroughly cooked through.
One final note, I would recommend putting a cookie sheet or something under the pan on a lower rack to catch the drippings during the baking process.
Perfect dessert for the summer!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Oscar! So glad you loved the recipe.
So, so good. We all loved this cake, vegans and non-vegans alike. This will be a new go-to dessert to bring to potlucks for me. I especially loved the saltiness and the dense, chewy edges of the cake. Just like on the corner brownie. We ate it cold, but I’m looking forward to eating it hot out of the oven once the weather cools down. You really take vegan cooking up several notches. Thanks so much! I really appreciate your creativity in the kitchen.
That’s so great to hear, Kit! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating alongside your review? Star ratings are big help to readers who are thinking of making the recipe. Thanks!
Yes, of course! I don’t know how I missed that. 5 stars all the way!
Thank you!
Would soy milk work in this recipe?
Hi Peggy, it definitely would!
I feel like I’ve tried about a million healthier/plant-based cobblers, and this is BY FAR the best one I’ve had. I will be making this any opportunity I get :) Thanks so much for your recipes, I haven’t had a single one I didn’t love!
Awesome, M’Liss. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
Great recipe! Can you substitute all purpose flour to almond flour to make it gluten free?
Hi Helen, we haven’t tried making this recipe gluten-free but some readers have experienced success with gluten-free all purpose flour. Although if you’re not gluten intolerant, we suggest you try the recipe using regular flour for best results! I hope whatever you try works out for you, happy baking :)
This is one of my favorite desserts ever! I have made it twice in the past two weeks and it turned out perfectly both times. I did make a few small changes: I used a gluten-free all purpose flour and topped the cobbler with some raw cane sugar before baking it for a crispy and sugary topping. I also cooked it in a cast iron skillet instead of the baking pan. It is so delicious and perfect with some vegan vanilla ice cream. Plus, it is so so easy to make! Thanks for this amazing recipe!! :)
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Katherine! We are thrilled to hear you loved it :)
Hi Nissan, This was such a delicious dessert! I used almond flour because our friend has a wheat allergy and I only had almond milk on hand, but it still came out scrumptious!
I’m a huge fan of all of your recipes! Thank you!
Hi Laure, we’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating alongside your review? Star ratings are big help to readers who are thinking of making the recipe. Thanks!
I don’t usually post comments but this recipe was amazing. Super simple, delicious and a crowd pleaser for vegans and non vegans alike! Definitely will make it again and again!
Awesome, Melanie. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
Is there an oat-free option?
Hi Priscilla, instead of using oats you can add an equivalent amount of additional flour. I hope you get to try this recipe!
This recipe is so delicious!!!!!
Season, So glad to hear you loved this cobbler!
Hello and Happy Friday! I am not sure if you will get back with me before I start making this wonderful peach cobbler….. I wanted to know if Cake Flour is ok to use vs. All-Purpose Flour? Like I mentioned…Not sure if you will get back with me before I make the cobbler (currently prepping to make LOL!) so I will use the Cake Flour (I use Swans Down) and let you know how my version turns out. Also, I am not using the Rolled Oats (don’t really care for them even though I LOVE Oat milk…go figure lol!) so I will be using the extra 2/3 cup of Cake Flour. Thank you for sharing this recipe! I just picked up a case of Sweet Georgia Peaches and I am about to get Peach waisted on recipes! LOL!
Hi Anna, we haven’t tried using other types of flour but we don’t see why it wouldn’t work. How did it go?
The cake flour worked out PERFECT!! Thank you for replying! I will say though that I will most likely omit the salt the next time or maybe even just do a half of pinch of it….It was a little too salty for my liking, but not too much that I could not enjoy. Other than that…it was perfect!
Great to hear, Anna! Thanks for letting us know. Did you use kosher salt or table salt? Kosher salt is less salty so that may be the reason the cobbler came out a bit too salty for your liking. We are so happy this recipe worked out for you. Thank you for trying it and leaving an awesome review!
Hello and Happy Wednesday!!! I actually used Kosher Salt….So not sure what happened. I also used Country Crock Plant Butter. But I will play around with it a little more to see what I can do. Thanks again for replying and for this awesome recipe!!
I made this recipe with early season peaches and just wow! The most decadent, delicious, buttery, juicy dessert ever. The pan was licked clean!
This looks amazing! But I have one question. What’s the best dish to use for this cobbler, something in ceramic like yours or I could use also a Pyrex dish?
Hi Alexandra,
My favorite way to make this dessert is in a cast iron skillet. I also use pyrex with great results.
Thank you so much, Anna-Rose!
Such a delicious dessert!! Super easy to make and so tasteful. I also used frozen peaches, cause it is freezing in Holland ;) and it worked. Thank you for including the grams as well, that was very helpful. In short.. jummy.
I don’t make a lot of sweets as I don’t really enjoy baking and also almost always prefer savory to sweet. But this recipe came at the perfect time when I had some peaches gifted to me this summer and wasn’t sure I’d be able to eat them all in time. This was absolutely delicious and so easy for me, non-baker and all!
I’ve made this recipe twice and used apples the second time around. Both the peach and apple versions were delicious and the recipe was surprisingly easy!
Can I make it a couple days in advance? If so, where is it best to store it?
Hi Nisha. With peaches out of season would it be a disaster to attempt this with frozen peaches?
I couldn’t resist trying this and two grocery stores later all of the fresh peaches are done for the season so frozen peaches it was lol. If anyone else has the same question I just want to share that it was fabulous with frozen peaches! I just defrosted a bit and pat them somewhat dry before mixing with the spices and blueberries. Such a good recipe omg. Thanks Nisha!
This is so great to hear! Thank you for doing the experiment for me lol. This is so helpful to know now that fresh peach season is over in most places.