Dessert

Apple Cobbler Recipe

ByIsabella Vance October 19, 2025October 19, 2025

Introduction

Apple Cobbler is a comforting dessert that perfectly balances tender spiced apples with a soft, cake-like topping. It’s simple to prepare and ideal for cozy evenings or special occasions. Enjoy it warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra delight.

A close-up view of a baked dessert in a white scalloped ceramic dish shows a golden-brown, soft textured crust dusted lightly with cinnamon sugar. A portion of the crust is scooped away in the top right corner, revealing juicy, caramelized apple slices underneath that are golden and slightly translucent. Two scoops of smooth, creamy vanilla ice cream sit on top near the opened area, beginning to melt gently over the warm dessert. Part of a red apple and green leaves are visible on a white marbled surface next to the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or any 3–4-quart baking dish.
Step 2: Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the peeled and sliced apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, one tablespoon flour, ground cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes until the apples are coated and just starting to soften. Transfer this apple mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter (6 tablespoons) and granulated sugar until combined. Add the buttermilk and vanilla extract, whisking to mix.
Step 4: Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients. Whisk gently until combined, allowing for some small lumps. Pour this batter evenly over the apples in the baking pan, spreading gently to cover.
Step 5: If using, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter. Using a butter knife, lightly swirl the topping to create a marbled effect, bearing in mind the apples beneath may make this imperfect, which is perfectly fine.
Step 6: Bake in the center rack of your oven for 48 to 55 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil halfway through baking.
Step 7: Remove the cobbler from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Let it cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Step 8: Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold. It pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or salted caramel sauce.

Tips & Variations

Use a mix of apple varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for a balance of tartness and sweetness.
For a dairy-free version, substitute buttermilk with almond milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice.
Adding chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts on top before baking adds a lovely crunch.

Storage

Store leftover apple cobbler in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm servings in the microwave or bake the cobbler, covered with foil, in a 300°F (149°C) oven for about 20 minutes until heated through.