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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 always time for pie crust-making, rolling out, crimping, etc.
Ingredients for Apple Cobbler
- 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.
What Kind of Apples for Apple Cobbler
My favorite easy-to-find apples for honey crisps or cobblers are the following:
- Honeycrisp – The best baking apple.
- Gala – Delicious and a great baking apple.
- Braeburn – Firm texture with a hint of floral flavor.
How to Make this Easy Apple Cobbler
- 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.n
- Make the topping: In a medium bowl goes the flour, baking powder and salt, sugar, milk, melted butter and vanilla.
- Add the apples to the baking dish.
- Add the topping goes on top of the filling in a baking dish. And then bake!
Recipe Tip
Here are some questions, I’m sure you’re asking yourself!
- Using different fruits: If you want to use berries in place of apples, be sure to add a few teaspoons of cornstarch. For peaches, make my easy Peach Cobbler.
- Add some richness. If I’m feeling like I want it to be even richer (this is a pretty light dessert), I’ll sometimes layer a few tablespoons of butter (cubed up) in between the two layers of apples. This just makes it a bit saucier, which I love!
Recipe FAQs
The apples should be bubbling, the top should be a beautiful golden brown color and it should engulf your house with amazing smells of spices and apples.
Crisps, crumbles, and cobblers are all fruit baked with sugar, thickener, and flavorings—the difference is what’s on top. Crisps get a streusel-like topping with oats and nuts for crunch (see my Brown Butter Apple Crisp). Cobblers are topped with either drop biscuits or a loose, buttery batter (like pancake batter with extra butter). This recipe uses the latter for a rich, golden finish.
What to Serve with this Apple Cobbler
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Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 1 (8×6-inch) baking dish
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
- 1/2 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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This cobbler is delicious !! I followed the recipes except I used all gala apples & dairy free milk.
It’s so good I wanted seconds ! You have to try it !!
You guys…This recipe is WOW! When it comes to the Ground cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves – I sprinkled a lot of apple pie spice, cinnamon, and went a little heavier on the cloves but not too heavy, just enough to give it that “apple pie” flavor we are all used to tasting. I also used King Arthur GF flour and Dairy free milk and Dairy free butter. This turned out FANTASTIC! I’m printing and keeping this recipe for continuous use!
wonderful to hear! i’m so glad you had success in making this gluten-free/dairy free (and delicious) 🙂
Amazingly Delicious!
Perfect for this fall/holiday season! Tried it last night and my family DEVOURED it in one sitting. It’s a definite must have! A 10/10 for sure! I will be making it again!
This was wonderful. I made a couple modifications including coconut sugar in place of brown sugar, and GF baking flour for the AP flour. Only recommendation would be to increase the topping because it’s so good! Perfect fall dessert.
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!
Can I make this the day before for Thanksgiving?
Very easy to make and it tastes wonderful!
Very, very good, love it— Thank you