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Plum Cobbler is a delicious fall dessert made with fresh ripe plums in a sweet, warmly spiced filling with an easy homemade biscuit topping. Serve this easy fruit cobbler warm with vanilla ice cream for an especially delicious treat.
This homemade Fresh Plum Cobbler is a wonderful way to enjoy seasonal stone fruit, especially ripe plums fresh from the orchard.
The filling is made with brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and a little grated apple, which adds subtle sweetness and helps give the filling some body. An optional splash of apple brandy adds another layer of warm fruit flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Plum Cobbler
- Fresh plums make a juicy filling with a delicious balance of sweet and tart flavors.
- The homemade biscuit topping is tender inside with a golden, sugary top.
- Fruit cobbler is always a favorite cozy fall dessert made with simple ingredients.
Plum Cobbler Ingredients
You only need fresh plums and a handful of pantry and refrigerator staples to make this easy plum cobbler.
For the Plum Filling: Fresh Ripe Plums, Light Brown Sugar, Apple, Vanilla Extract, Apple Brandy, Cornstarch, Ground Cinnamon
For the Biscuit Topping: All-Purpose Flour, Granulated Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt, Unsalted Butter, Buttermilk.
For the Top: Buttermilk, Coarse Sugar
What Kind of Plums Should I Use?
Use any variety of ripe, flavorful plums that are still firm enough to slice. Very soft plums may release more juice and make the filling looser.
I used 8 large plums weighing about 46 ounces total before pitting.
There’s no need to peel them. The skins soften as the cobbler bakes and add color and flavor.
Variations & Substitutions
- Apple Brandy: You can substitute applejack, cognac, pear brandy, apple pie moonshine, apple cider, or grape juice. You can also leave it out.
- Coarse Sugar: Regular granulated sugar works if you don’t have coarse sugar.
- Buttermilk: For the best biscuit texture and flavor, I recommend using buttermilk.
- Spices: Add a small pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom along with the cinnamon if you’d like a little more warm spice flavor.
How to Make Plum Cobbler
- Make the plum filling: Add the sliced plums, brown sugar, grated apple, vanilla, apple brandy, cornstarch, and cinnamon to a large bowl. Gently stir until the fruit is evenly coated.
- Make the biscuit topping: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
- Add the buttermilk: Stir in the cold buttermilk just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
- Transfer to the baking dish: Pour the plum mixture into a lightly greased 8×8-inch baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Top the cobbler: Take portions of dough and gently flatten them. Arrange the portions over the plum filling, leaving a few gaps for the filling to bubble through.
- Finish the biscuit topping: Brush the dough with buttermilk and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake: Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 40 to 50 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the biscuit topping is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool before serving: Let the cobbler rest for about 20 minutes so the filling can thicken slightly.
Tips for the Best Plum Cobbler
- Keep the biscuit ingredients cold. Cold butter and buttermilk help give the topping a tender texture.
- Don’t overmix the dough. Stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened.
- Use a rimmed baking sheet. Juicy plums may bubble over the sides of the baking dish.
How to Serve Plum Cobbler
Plum cobbler is delicious served warm on its own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream is especially good with the warm fruit and biscuit topping.
You can also serve it with whipped cream or a splash of heavy cream.
Storage & Reheating
- Cover leftover Plum Cobbler and refrigerate it for up to 4 days.
- Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through.
- For a crisper biscuit topping, reheat the cobbler in a 350°F oven or air fryer until warm.
More Fruit Dessert Recipes
Fresh Plum Cake
Fresh Peach Cobbler
Peach Upside Down Cake
Easy Peach Potluck Cake
Easy Apple Galette
If you make this delicious Plum Cobbler recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment below with a star rating! 😊
Fall Dessert Recipes
Pecan Slab Pie
Crockpot Apple Crisp
Pumpkin Banana Bread
Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake
More Delicious Desserts
Plum Cobbler
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Plum Filling
- 8 large Fresh Ripe Plums (about 46 ounces, pitted & sliced into ½-inch pieces)
- â…“ cup Light Brown Sugar packed
- ½ medium Apple peeled and grated
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 Tablespoons Apple Brandy* optional
- 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
For the Biscuit Topping
- 2 ¼ cups All-Purpose Flour spooned and leveled
- ½ cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 9 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter cold and cubed
- ¾ cup Buttermilk cold
For the Top
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons Buttermilk
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons Coarse Sugar or granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
Make the Plum Filling
- Add the plums, brown sugar, grated apple, vanilla, apple brandy, cornstarch, and cinnamon to a large mixing bowl. Gently stir until the fruit is evenly coated.
- Pour the plum mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Make the Biscuit Topping
- In a second large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the cold cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or two forks, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
- Pour in the ¾ cup cold buttermilk and gently stir just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
Add the Biscuit Topping
- Take portions of dough and gently flatten them into thick discs.
- Arrange the dough pieces over the plum filling, covering most of the surface while leaving a few small gaps for the filling to bubble through.
- Brush the tops lightly with buttermilk and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
Bake
- Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any juices that may bubble over.
- Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the plum filling is bubbling and the biscuit topping is golden brown and cooked through.
Rest & Serve
- Let the cobbler cool for about 20 minutes before serving so the filling can thicken slightly.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
