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Apple Cobbler Recipe

4.5 from 118 reviews

This classic Apple Cobbler recipe combines tender, cinnamon-spiced apple slices with a buttery, cake-like topping baked to golden perfection. Pre-cooked spiced apples provide a warm, luscious filling beneath a rich, sweet batter swirled gently to create a rustic texture. Perfect served warm with vanilla ice cream or enjoyed cold, this comforting dessert is simple to make and ideal for cozy gatherings or any fruit-filled craving.

Ingredients

Scale

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: 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar + 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or a similarly sized 3–4-quart baking dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Pre-cook the Apples: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the sliced apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Stir and cook the mixture for approximately 5 minutes until the apples are well coated and start to soften. Once done, transfer this spiced apple mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  3. Make the Topping Batter: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar. Then add buttermilk, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until the batter is mostly smooth with only a few small lumps remaining, which is perfect for the topping’s texture.
  4. Assemble the Cobbler: Pour and spread the batter evenly over the apple filling in the baking pan. Sprinkle the optional cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top for extra flavor and a slight crunch. Using a butter knife, gently swirl the topping to create a marbled effect; don’t worry if the apples disturb the smoothness, as this adds to the rustic charm.
  5. Bake: Place the cobbler on the center rack of the oven and bake for 48 to 55 minutes. The topping should turn golden brown, and you’ll see the apple filling bubbling around the edges when it’s fully cooked. If the cobbler tops browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil after about half the baking time to prevent burning.
  6. Cool and Serve: Remove the cobbler from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Allow it to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. It can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or cold, alone or topped with vanilla ice cream and/or salted caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
  7. Store Leftovers: Cover any leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days. To reheat, microwave portions until warm or bake the covered cobbler in a preheated 300°F (149°C) oven for about 20 minutes until heated through.

Notes

  • Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for balance between sweetness and acidity.
  • Peeling the apples is essential for a smooth texture, but you can leave skins on if preferred for extra fiber and color.
  • Swirling the topping batter gently helps create a beautiful marbled effect but doesn’t need to be perfect.
  • If buttermilk is unavailable, substitute with 1 cup milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit for 5 minutes.
  • The cobbler is best served warm, but leftovers reheat well in the oven.
  • To prevent over-browning, keep an eye on the cobbler during the last 10 minutes of baking and cover with foil if needed.

Keywords: apple cobbler, classic dessert, baked apple dessert, cinnamon apple cobbler, easy apple recipes, fruit cobbler