The easy plum apple and cobbler is simultaneously simple to make and satisfying to eat. With the ripe fruit oozing garnet juices into the warm, crispy biscuit crust, we love to have the baked dessert as soon as the oven dings!

In my mind, the switch to cozy, comforting food happens the minute I say hi to September. I know we’re barely bidding adieu to summer, but, for me, the seasons have turned, with mangoes, peaches, plums, and melons dwindling and apples and pears pouring in. 

So, before autumn sets in, I’m tossing the last of the season’s plums in sugar and spice and everything nice. And there is no better recipe for it than a cobbler. It’s easy, vegan, and healthy.

What’s the difference between a cobbler and a crumble?

The difference between a cobbler and a crumble (and a crisp) is very subtle. All of them bake fresh fruits but each one does it in its own nuanced way. A cobbler typically uses a deep-dish and has a biscuit or pie dough layered on top of the sugared and spiced fruit. A crumble, on the other hand, has a streusel-like topping very much like a crisp.

So, what’s the difference between a crumble and a crisp? The streusel layer of a crumble doesn’t have any oats or nuts. Crisps often use oats, nuts, or both. As I said, the lines are blurry, but each one does delicious justice to the fruit.

How to make a plum and apple cobbler?

First, make the plum crumble filling.

• Deseed and slice your plums (don’t peel them), along with the apples.
• Toss the fruits with coconut sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and some vanilla extract. 
• Place in the baking dish.

Next, make the cobbler topping.

• Sift all-purpose flour with a pinch of salt and baking powder. 
• Mix it with coconut sugar.
• Add melted coconut oil and, using a fork, combine till you have a crumbly mixture. 
• Pour in the coconut milk and mix till you have a very thick batter. 

Last, bake the cobbler

• Since the batter is viscous, you’ll have to drop spoonfuls of it on the fruit filling. 
• Sprinkle some raw sugar on top for that extra crunch. 
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes till the crust is nicely done and golden, and the juices are bubbling and seeping through. 

Plum and apple cobbler recipe FAQs

What dish should you use to bake a cobbler?

I used an 8-inch cast-iron pan to bake this, but any oven-proof dish you have, from a pie dish to a cake tin, will work here. 

What does cornstarch do in a cobbler?

Cornstarch thickens the plum and apple juices as the cobbler bakes, making sure it is not too runny. I realized after the cobbler was baked that I could have gotten away with less of the cornstarch. A tablespoon is more than enough for the quantity of fruits mentioned in the recipe, but if you love a thicker, lush texture, increase the amount.

How do you serve cobblers?

Cobblers are meant to be served warm and with melting scoops of vanilla ice cream on the side. It’s just that kind of dessert: moist inside with a crispy crust on top, sopping up all the sweet, cinnamon-scented juicy fruit. 

Is this a healthy recipe?

The plum apple cobbler is vegan and refined sugar-free. To make it healthier, I recommend replacing the all-purpose flour with buckwheat. Also, instead of a scoop of ice cream, serve with plain Greek yogurt or even frozen yogurt. 

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Buckwheat is one option, but you can use any gluten-free flour you prefer. For example, you can make the plum cobbler with almond flour or amaranth flour. 

Plum and Apple Cobbler Recipe Variations

Fruits: My love for cobblers stems from the fact that you can easily swap any of the ingredients. Don’t have apples? Stick to plums. Don’t have plums? Try any stone fruit – peaches, apricots, pears, figs, or a mix of all!

Sugar: The coconut sugar in my cobbler recipe gave the topping a caramel-ish color. You can, of course, use regular brown sugar, like it is usually done, or even white sugar. 

Milk: I wanted to bake a dairy-free plum apple cobbler because I knew the dollops of ice cream would have enough dairy for me. That’s why the coconut milk. You can stick to the traditional cobbler recipe and use regular milk or cream. 

Give the magical plum and apple crumble a whirl. It’s:

Healthy and vegan

Cozy and comforting

Instantly relaxing heady aroma 

Insanely yummy, crumbly, crusty top

Warm, bubbly, and addictively delicious fruits

What can I make with lots of plums? Recipe ideas:

Plum Apricot Crumble

Plum Poppyseed Cake

Peach & Plum Crumb Bars

Plum & Cardamom Muffins

Plum & Apricot Cobbler Cake

Plum Apricot Sourdough Galette

Gluten-free Chai Spiced Plum Galette