Vegan Blueberry Cobbler

Confession. I can’t stop eating blueberries right now. I’ve done a blueberry buckle, blueberry cookies, and even blueberry ice cream, but this cobbler has recently become a top contender for best blueberry dessert in my mind. It’s so simple to make and, when you serve it with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream…well…you’ll see.

For me, it’s all about the filling. It’s so rich and buttery (vegan butter, of course), but it’s still got some freshness to it from the seasonal fruit and a pop of lemon zest. The way the juicy filling subtly seeps into the tender, slightly sweet cobbler topping is enough to have me eating it straight out of the baking pan. If you’re with me in putting blueberries at the top of your favourite summer fruit list, this blueberry cobbler is for you.

Reasons to Make This Juicy Blueberry Cobbler

See that pint of berries at the farmers market? Buy it now. Here’s why this cobbler is the perfect excuse:

• Somewhere between fresh and juicy and buttery and rich, the filling for this cobbler hits the spot. My favourite part is where the sweet juices of the berries meet the soft, tender, cakey topping. It’s a match made in heaven.
• This cobbler is super simple to make. All you need is a mixing bowl and a baking dish, some simple pantry ingredients, and the season’s freshest fruit to make a super memorable summer dessert. Served warm with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream, it’s tough to find a more satisfying sweet treat.
• You can make this cobbler year-round with frozen berries. So, if you’re craving a taste of summer in the off-season, this cobbler is the way to go.

Notes on Ingredients

This recipe requires a few pantry staples you probably already have and some fresh fruit. Here’s a shopping list for you (see the recipe card below for measurements):

Blueberry Filling

• Blueberries – I much prefer fresh blueberries here, but you could use frozen. See the section below titled “Fresh vs. Frozen Blueberries” for more information.
• Granulated sugar – Coconut sugar or even light brown sugar would work as well. Granulated sugar gives the cleanest blueberry flavour, though.
• Lemon zest – Grated fresh from the fruit. I suppose you could use lemon juice, but the zest adds fresh citrus flavour without adding extra liquid to the filling, which I prefer.
• Vegan butter – Melted. The butter gives the berries a richer flavour and helps create a more indulgent filling. Grab some from the store or try my Homemade Vegan Butter Recipe.

Cobbler Topping

• All-purpose flour – Or your favourite 1:1 gluten-free flour.
• Light brown sugar – Dark brown sugar will also work if you prefer a deeper, more molasses-y flavour.
• Baking powder – To help the cobbler topping rise so it’s nice and fluffy.
• Kosher salt – To break up the sweetness of the topping a bit. Fine sea salt would be fine (just use a smidge less).
• Vegan butter – Melted. Make your own Vegan Butter or grab some at the store.
• Unsweetened plant milk – Any kind you’d like! Try my Almond Milk or this Cashew Milk if you’re up to making your own.
• Vanilla extract – To add some warmth and depth to the flavour profile.

Fresh vs. Frozen Blueberries

• If blueberries are in season, I encourage you to use fresh berries. They have a brighter, more vibrant flavour and they hold their shape better as they bake. Frozen berries often render a jammier cobbler filling, which is fine in a pinch. It’s just different.
• If you do end up using frozen berries, I would let them thaw all the way first and then drain as much of the liquid as possible. You can even pat them dry with a paper towel. Too much liquid will yield a runny filling and turn the cobbler topping soggy.

How to Make Blueberry Cobbler

Ready to make the easiest (and best) cobbler ever? Here’s a quick look at how it’s done. For more detailed instructions, see the recipe card below.

• Prep. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Make the filling. In an 8 x 8-inch (20 x 20cm) baking dish, toss together the blueberries, sugar, lemon zest, and melted vegan butter. Spread across the baking dish in an even layer.
• Assemble and bake. Spread the batter evenly over the blueberry filling and bake for 45–50 minutes.
• Cool. Let the cobbler cool at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Cobbler

• Be gentle. When tossing together the ingredients for the filling, be gentle with the berries. You don’t want to bruise/break them.
• Don’t overmix. When whisking together the ingredients for the cobbler batter, mix just until everything comes together. Mixing past this point will cause the glutens in the flour to overdevelop for a tough, dense topping, rather than a soft, tender one.
• Even layer. Try to spread the batter as evenly as possible over the berry filling. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but the more even the layer of batter is, the more evenly your cobbler topping will cook.
• Check for doneness. You’ll know your cobbler is ready to pull out of the oven when the topping is golden brown, and the blueberry filling is bubbling around the edges. A toothpick inserted in the centre of the topping (without dipping into the filling) should come out clean with a few moist crumbs.
• Don’t skip the rest. Let the cobbler rest at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before serving. This will give the filling a chance to set up and thicken so it’s less runny and easier to serve.

Storing Leftovers

• Refrigerator: Once cool, wrap the baking dish (with the cobbler in it) in plastic wrap or transfer the cobbler to an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Once the cobbler has cooled to room temperature, you can wrap the baking dish in a double layer of plastic wrap or transfer the leftovers to a freezer-safe airtight container. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge before serving.
• To reheat. This cobbler is lovely served at room temperature or reheated. If you wish to reheat your portion, pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds or so.

More Blueberry Dessert Recipes

Keep the good times going with more mouthwatering blueberry desserts! Here are just a few to choose from:

• 2-Ingredient Vegan Blueberry Ice Cream
• Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake
• Blueberry Cookies
• Old-Fashioned Blueberry Buckle
• Lemon Blueberry Bread

Enjoy friends! If you make this vegan blueberry cobbler, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!