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
If I wanted to make this the day before thanksgiving. Then just warm it before serving. Would I be able to make this work and be as delicious as the reviews? Suggestions. Thanks. Want to make this for my vegan peach-loving daughter coming home from college for thanksgiving. Thx!!
Hi Kay, you can make the peaches and batter separately the day before and combine right before baking. That will yield the best results! Good luck!
i’m HOOKED. this is by far the most exquisite, easy, flavourful dessert i’ve ever made. great way to use leftover peaches. thanks nisha xx
Thanks for sharing, Lara!
If you’re not making this dessert, what are you waiting for?? You’re missing out! It is amazing. I add a big pinch of Redmond real salt to the butter for a little extra punch. Is making it twice in 3 days a bad thing, asking for myself…
We give you permission to make this twice in 3 days, Shawn! Take advantage of the rest of peach season!
So goooood!!! And infinitely customizable! I took the advice on another commenter and make half the recipe and bake it in the same skillet i brown the butter in. Also if your fruits are sweet and juicy you really dont need the cup of sugar at all – just a few spoons of sugar will do it. Since its hard to find good quality peaches i have also made this with mangos and it turns out great! I want to try replacing the flour with almond flour next time i make it. Great recipe Nisha!
Thanks for sharing, Sonu!
I totally heart the caramelly richness that the browned butter imparts to this “clobber”. Peach cobbler can be kinda boring, but this pops!
Thank you Sara! Good to hear you enjoyed the Cobbler!
Just made this ! So awesome especially with vegan ice cream! Thank you NISHA!
So glad you loved the recipe, David!
This looks so delicious, I would love to try it!
Just have a question, as I have an oven that has a fan as well as traditional top and bottom heating: to which oven type do the temperature indications refer ?
Thanks so much for all these wonderful recipes !!!
Traditional top and bottom heating, Barbara! Enjoy
Holy shit, this is hands down the best dessert I’ve ever had, I can’t believe I made this myself. This is the first comment I left for a recipe, but I’m so blown away, I needed to come down here and let you know just how good this was. Sticky, crispy, chewy madness, and the flavors are soooo interesting and perfectly balanced!! What a joy of a plate, I can’t imagine anything making me happier on a cold autumn day.
So great to hear it, Ralu! Thanks for trying it!
So delicious! I can’t wait to make this for friends and family.
Jackalyn, So glad to hear you loved this recipe!
Made this for a party of 20 people with garden plums instead of peach and blueberries, as that’s what I had. I used vitalite butter for making the brown butter. It was delicious! Everyone loved it , it was gooey and cakey and crunchy all at once. Thank you for a great recipe!
That’s amazing to hear, Mskul! Thanks for sharing!
Hey Nisha, I loved it a lot, soooo good!
But I will put in even more peaches next time, love them! :)
Thank you for the recipe and your awesome youtube videos! <3
So happy you enjoyed this recipe, Miri!
Wow, Nisha!!! You’ve done it again. This cobbler is perfection. We gobbled it up right away (10 servings is completely inaccurate, I’m afraid, at least when you bake something SO delicious). I used 2/3 of the sugar suggested in the recipe and next time I will use just 1/2 of it. Next times. The many many next times.
Glad to hear you loved the Cobbler, Ina! Thank you for the kind words!
Loved it! Followed the recipe the first time. The second time I did 2c flour and 1 cup oats and extra oat milk to compensate—didn’t change anything else. Fit perfectly in a 13×9. Second batch wasn’t as decadent as the first time I made it (I think due to less butter overall) but it went farther and I liked having a higher bread
/cake to fruit ratio :)
Great, Jen! Glad to hear you loved this recipe!
Do I measure the 1lb of peaches before of after I slice them?
After they are sliced works, Jackie!
Do I measure the 1lb of peaches before or after I slice them?
This peach cobbler is amazing. I have made it 4 times now. I also have made Nisha’s banana bread serveral times.
This looks amazing would love to try! Can I sub the vegan butter and plant based milk for just normal butter and milk?
Gonna try it, as soon as the weather gets cooler.
We hope you love it!
I have high expectations when it comes to your recipes because they are consistently wonderful but this cobbler went beyond my expectations. I used Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Baking flour to make it gluten free. I have three letters: OMG!
Hi Cindy, 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 just made it but am serving in a few hours. Should I heat it back in the oven before serving? Looks delicious!
I think heating it in the oven should work well, Jamie. Did you do that and if so, how did it turn out?
Whipped this up yesterday (so easy), and everyone LOVED it. I used GF all purpose flour and swapped almond extract for little chunks of almond paste mixed with the fruit, and no one had any idea it was GF or vegan! Making it again next week!
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Valerie!