Apple Cobbler Recipe

Introduction

Apple Cobbler is a comforting dessert that celebrates tender, spiced apples topped with a soft, buttery batter. This classic treat is perfect for cozy evenings and pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
• 8 cups (about 1kg) peeled and sliced apples (1/4-inch slices; about 7 apples)
• 3 Tablespoons (37g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 and 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Optional: 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar + 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, for sprinkling

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or any 3-4 quart baking dish.
2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the unsalted butter. Add the sliced apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon flour, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes until the apples are coated and begin to soften. Transfer this filling to the prepared baking dish.
3. Step 3: To make the topping, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla extract until combined.
4. Step 4: Add 1 and 3/4 cups flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients. Whisk until mostly smooth; small lumps are okay.
5. Step 5: Pour and spread the batter evenly over the apple filling. If using, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on top. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the topping, allowing some apple pieces to peek through.
6. Step 6: Bake on the center rack for 48 to 55 minutes, until the topping is golden and bubbly around the edges. If the cobbler browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking.
7. Step 7: Remove from the oven and let cool on a rack for at least 5 minutes. Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or salted caramel sauce.

Tips & Variations

• Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
• For a richer topping, try replacing buttermilk with Greek yogurt.
• Add chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the topping for extra texture.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes.

Storage

Cover leftover cobbler tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm the whole dish covered in a 300°F (149°C) oven for about 20 minutes until heated through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this apple cobbler ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the apple filling and topping separately in advance. Assemble and bake just before serving for the best texture.

What if I don’t have a 9×13-inch pan?

Any 3-4 quart baking dish will work as a substitute. Adjust the baking time slightly if using a different size or depth.

Apple Cobbler Recipe

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This classic Apple Cobbler combines tender, spiced apples with a soft, buttery topping for a comforting dessert perfect for any season. The apples are pre-cooked with spices and brown sugar, then topped with a moist buttermilk batter that bakes to a golden crust. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce for an indulgent treat.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Apple Filling

• 2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
• 8 cups (about 1kg) peeled and sliced apples (1/4-inch slices; about 7 apples)
• 3 Tablespoons (37g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping

• 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 and 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional Topping

• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or any 3–4-quart baking dish to prepare it for the cobbler.
2. Pre-cook the Apples: In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Cook while stirring for about 5 minutes, or until the apples are well coated and just beginning to soften. Transfer this apple mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan.
3. Prepare the Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the buttermilk, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until the batter is mostly smooth, allowing for some small lumps. Pour and spread the topping gently over the apples in the baking dish. If desired, sprinkle the mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon evenly over the batter, then use a butter knife to gently swirl the topping for a marbled effect.
4. Bake the Cobbler: Place the cobbler on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 48-55 minutes. Bake until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling at the edges. If the cobbler tops start browning too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil halfway through baking.
5. Cool and Serve: Remove the baked cobbler from the oven and set it on a cooling rack. Allow it to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm, at room temperature, or cold. Optionally, top with vanilla ice cream and/or salted caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
6. Store Leftovers: Cover any leftover cobbler tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days. To reheat, microwave portions or bake the covered cobbler at 300°F (149°C) for 20 minutes or until warmed through.

Notes

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best flavor and texture.
• If the topping is browning too fast, covering it with foil halfway through baking prevents burning.
• Buttermilk can be substituted with regular milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar as a DIY buttermilk.
• This cobbler can be served with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or salted caramel for added richness.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: apple cobbler, apple dessert, baked apple dessert, cinnamon apple recipe, fall dessert, buttermilk topping, easy cobbler