Plum Cobbler Crisp with Hazelnut Coffee Creamer

Sometimes, Southern hospitality arrives in the form of a box of freshly picked fruit. When our neighbor handed my husband a box brimming with ripe, dark plums, it was clear these beauties deserved a dessert that honors their vibrant flavor and our family’s inherited sweet tooth.

In true Southern tradition, we decided to whip up something comforting and golden—using only what we already have in the kitchen.

With no extra accompanying fruits or heavy cream on hand, we embraced a little pantry ingenuity and reached for hazelnut coffee creamer.

The result: a cobbler crisp that’s sweet, nutty, and perfectly suited for late-summer gatherings. Whether served at the dinner table or on the porch, this dessert is proof that the best recipes begin with a simple act of neighborly kindness and a craving for Southern sweetness

Recipe

Ingredients:

– 8–10 large ripe plums, pitted and sliced

– ⅓ cup light brown sugar (plus 1 tbsp for topping)

– 2 tablespoons apple brandy or bourbon (optional)

– 3 tablespoons cornstarch

– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

– ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

– ½ teaspoon lemon zest

Topping:

– 1 cup all-purpose flour

– ½ cup rolled oats

– ⅓ cup brown sugar

– ⅓ cup granulated sugar

– 1 teaspoon baking powder

– ½ teaspoon salt

– 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed

– ⅓ cup hazelnut coffee creamer (liquid type)

– 1 tablespoon of coarse sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or 10-inch cast iron skillet.

2. In a large bowl, gently mix the sliced plums, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon zest. Let the fruit rest for about 5 minutes.

3. Spread the plum mixture evenly in the prepared pan.

  For the topping:

Combine flour, oats, sugars, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter until the mixture forms pea-sized crumbs.

Stir in a hazelnut coffee creamer just until the dough holds together; do not overmix.

Crumble the topping evenly over the plums, leaving gaps for juices to bubble up.

Sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the topping is golden and plum juices are bubbling.

  Allow to cool slightly, then serve warm—ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or extra drizzle of coffee creamer.

This plum cobbler crisp transforms everyday ingredients and is an unexpected gift into pure Southern dessert joy—ready for sharing at the next family supper or neighborhood treat.