This Easy Apple Cobbler recipe has a super fluffy, deliciously sweet topping. The apples are perfectly sweet and spiced. This is a simple, quick and easy dessert using the fresh fruit of fall! An absolute must is a scoop of ice cream on top.
I’m going to scream this from the rooftops but this is an Easy Apple Cobbler …that’s also fluffy and perfectly spiced and WAY easier than any apple pie you might not have time to make.
This season is all about pie, I will admit that. And of course, I have my favorite apple pie recipe that I think is a sure-fire winner. But let’s be honest, there’s not alway time for pie crust-making, rolling out, crimping, etc.
I love a cobbler. But before we dive in. Let’s discuss semantics:
What’s the difference between Crisp vs. Cobbler?
Crisp, crumblers, cobblers. What’s the difference? They’re incredibly similar. Basically they’re sliced, diced or whole fruit at the base of a baking dish. Usually tossed with a thickener (either flour or corn starch or tapioca starch), sugar, lemon juice and other flavorings. And then they’re topped with something and then baked.
- Crisps – typically have something that makes it—yep—crisp on top. Think rolled oats, diced nuts, butter, and flour. Crisps are usually topped with a streusel like topping.
- Cobbler – some cobblers are topped with drop biscuits, other times they’re topped with more of a looser batter.
- This is obviously the latter. And we’re not making drop biscuits, instead we’re making a looser-type batter that resembles more of a pancake batter. But with a strong butter flavor. Lol.
What Kind of Apples for Apple Cobbler
Whenever you bake an apple dessert–whether it be for an apple pie or apple cobbler–you want baking apples. My favorite, easy-to-find apples are honey crisp apples and gala apples.
Ingredients for Apple Cobbler
This recipe is like a cake-like batter poured on top of thinly sliced apples that are tossed in spices and sugar. Here are the ingredients you’ll need for the filling:
- Apples. I used a combo of gala apples and honey crips. Any baking apples would be great!
- Brown Sugar + granulated sugar. These two sugars are great for this baked apple recipe. If you wanted to do ALL brown sugar, that works too.
- All-purpose flour. This thickens the baked apple mixture. They’re not super juicy so flour vs. cornstarch is what we’re using.
- Lemon juice. This adds a lovely tartness to this recipe. It balances out the warm spices and sweet apples.
- Warm spices. I like to use a balanced combination of ground cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves. None of these spices are prominent; you don’t really notice any one flavor–instead it’s a balanced flavor of spices.
- For the topping, you’ll be making a simple cake-like topping. You’ll need flour, vanilla, melted butter, some leavening, sugar and milk.
How to Make Apple Cobbler
What I love about this recipe is how simple it is to come together. Here’s how to make it:
- Mix the filling together. I used a mix of honey crisp and gala apples. Other apple combinations will totally work. And then add the brown sugar, sugar, flour, lemon juice, vanilla and spices.
- The topping couldn’t be simpler: In a medium bowl goes the flour, baking powder and salt, sugar, milk, melted butter and vanilla.
- And then the topping goes on top of the filling in a baking dish.
- In the oven and boom! done!
As much as I wish this was a one-bowl recipe, it’s a two-bowl recipe. But it’s simple, simple!
Tips and Tricks for Apple Cobbler
Here are some questions, I’m sure you’re asking yourself! Can you make a biscuit topping? Sure, but this isn’t that recipe per se so I would look for a recipe like that and use the apple spiced portion of this recipe.
Would this topping work with a peach cobbler or other fresh fruit? Absolutely. Though just a heads up, you’ll need to use a more of a thickening agent than flour (what we have here) because peaches and berries are juicier than apples. Berry fruit cobblers definitely have different ratios because of this.
And of course, I put up a step-by-step of this recipe over up on my Instagram Stories–comfort food at its finest!
Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe
Ingredients
Filling:
- 2 honey crisp apples peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 2 gala apples peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Juice from 1 small lemon about 1 tablespoon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- Teeny pinch of ground cardamom
- Teeny pinch of ground cloves
Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Prep:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or butter a baking casserole dish that’s 9×6 or something comparable. Use what you have! And then set it aside.
To Make the Filling:
- In a large bowl, add the sliced honey crisp apples, gala apples, brown sugar, sugar, flour, juice from 1 lemon, vanilla and spices (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves). Toss it all together until combined. Add the filling to your prepared baking dish.
To Make the Topping:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Add the milk, butter and vanilla; mix until combined. Pour the topping on top of the filling. It’s ok if some of the filling is peaking through or it’s not a totally perfect on top. I like it when some of the filling shows through. And then transfer to the oven to bake for about 40 to 45 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and serve warm with cold vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
For more apple recipes:
- Chai Spiced Skillet Cake
- Homemade Apple Pie
- Cheddar Rye Apple Hand Pies
- Cranberry Apple Pie
- Apple Butterscotch Pandowdy
Made this today. Used brown sugar on both filling and topping, 2 each of granny Smith and Fuji apples and baked in an 8×8 baking dish. Tastes so good and does go well with vanilla ice cream. Will be my go-to for cobbler next time. Thanks so much for the recipe.
This was great. I actually used apple pie filling cause that’s all I had. For the topping I used gluten free king Arthur’s flour , and vegan butter. I also used oat milk . This is the best gluten free vegan dessert that I’ve had in a long time! Even though I kind of made it my own this recipe is amazing!
that sounds wonderful!
can i double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13 baking dish ?
yes absolutely!
Very easy to make and it tastes wonderful!
Very, very good, love it— Thank you