Apple Cobbler

Published September 29, 2018. Updated October 17, 2019

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We all love Peach Cobbler but have you tried Apple Cobbler yet?? I’m head over heels in love with it! Think of the soft and buttery cake-like biscuit topping of a cobbler then think of the flavors of the filling of an apple pie and this is what you get!

It’s truly irresistible and must have fall recipe!

Apple Cobbler

Apple Cobbler

I’m sure this will be a go-to fall recipe for me. I made it a few times to get everything perfect (or because it was so good and I was looking for an excuse) and I really just love everything about it!

From the juicy, lightly sweetened apple filling to the fluffy, tender and buttery topping, and the final touch of cinnamon sugar on top. You just can’t go wrong with this recipe!

I adapted this from my Peach Cobbler so I knew going going to be good. And yes it’s unbelievably good! You’ll be savoring every last bite.

Apple Cobbler

Ingredients for Apple Cobbler

Filling Ingredients

  • 3 lbs golden delicious apples (use firm fresh ones)
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup (72g) packed light-brown sugar
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup apple juice
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, diced into small cubes

Topping Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups (210g) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 10 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold, diced into small cubes
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp granulated sugar mixed with 1/2 tsp cinnamon, for topping

Apple Cobbler ingredients shown here flour apples sugar brown sugar cornstarch apple juice buttermilk baking soda baking powder butter lemon vanilla

How to Make Apple Cobbler from Scratch

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • For the filling, peel and core apples then cut into slices a little over 1/4-inch thick. Cut slices in half.
  • Place apples in a prepared baking dish then toss with lemon juice. Set aside.
  • In a small saucepan whisk together brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and apple juice. Add butter then heat mixture over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until it reaches a simmer. Let simmer 30 seconds then remove from heat.
  • Pour brown sugar mixture over apples in baking dish, toss to coat. Set aside.

How to make apple cobbler shown here pouring sugar mixture over apples in baking dish apple cobbler shown here pouring sugar mixture over apples in baking dish

How To Make the Topping

  • In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • Add butter and using a pastry cutter or fork cut butter into mixture until it resembles coarse meal. Make a well in center of mixture.
  • Pour buttermilk into center then pour vanilla into buttermilk. Fold mixture with a rubber spatula just until combined (don’t over-mix, it should be lumpy).
  • Dollop spoonfuls of mixture across apple layer (about 12 across top, don’t spread it will spread as it bakes).
  • Sprinkle evenly with 1 Tbsp sugar and cinnamon mixture.
  • Bake in preheated oven until apples are soft, about 35 – 45 minutes (tent will foil to prevent excess browning during last 10 minutes as needed).
  • Let cool 10 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Apple cobbler shown here adding biscuit topping over apples in baking dish Finished apple cobbler shown here in baking dish

What is the Best Type of Apple to Use for Apple Cobbler?

In my opinion the best apple to use here is hands down the Golden Delicious apple, for a number of reasons.

  • First, Golden Delicious have such an appley flavor. More than most.
  • Second, they bake up perfectly tender and even a little soft (this doesn’t bake as long as an apple pie ). And a softer filling is is what we look for in cobbler, no crisp apples here.
  • Third it has a medium sweetness so you don’t end up with an overbearingly sweet cobbler.
  • Fourth they’re a juicy apple, another thing I like about a good cobbler is a juicy base.

Apple Cobbler

Better than Bisquick Apple Cobbler

Skip the Bisquick topping and canned pie filling and go with this from scratch version instead, it’s so much better!

Sure with this all homemade version there may be a list of ingredients and the annoying step of peeling, coring aaaand slicing the apples but it’s worth it because if you ask me it’s the best apple cobbler you’ll ever eat!

It’s just one of those easy, back to basic, old school recipes that doesn’t require a mixer. Just a few bowls and simple kitchen tools here. It’s easier than you’d think!

Apple Cobbler Recipe

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Apple Cobbler
5 from 16 votes

Apple Cobbler

My favorite Apple Cobbler! Juicy sweet apple filling topped with a tender buttery, cake-like cinnamon coated topping. The perfect fall dessert!
Servings: 12
Prep25 minutes
Cook40 minutes
Cooling time10 minutes
Ready in: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

Filling

Topping

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

For the Filling

  • Peel and core apples then cut into slices a little over 1/4-inch thick. Cut slices in half. 
  • Place apples in a prepared baking dish then toss with lemon juice. Set aside.
  • In a small saucepan whisk together brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and apple juice. 
  • Add butter then heat mixture over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until it reaches a simmer. Let simmer 30 seconds, while stirring then remove from heat.
  • Pour brown sugar mixture over apples in baking dish, toss to coat. Set aside.

For the Topping

  • In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 
  • Add butter and using a pastry cutter or fork cut butter into mixture until it resembles coarse meal. Make a well in center of mixture.
  • Pour buttermilk into center then pour vanilla into buttermilk. Fold mixture with a rubber spatula just until combined (don't over-mix, it should be lumpy).
  • Dollop spoonfuls of mixture across apple layer (about 12 across top, don't spread it will spread as it bakes).
  • Sprinkle evenly with 1 Tbsp sugar and cinnamon mixture.
  • Bake in preheated oven until apples are soft, about 35 - 45 minutes (tent will foil to prevent excess browning during last 10 minutes as needed).
  • Let cool 10 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. Note that this is best served freshly made.
  • Recipe source: Cooking Classy
Nutrition Facts
Apple Cobbler
Amount Per Serving
Calories 336 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 37mg12%
Sodium 150mg7%
Potassium 269mg8%
Carbohydrates 51g17%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 33g37%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 505IU10%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Calcium 79mg8%
Iron 1.1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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46 Comments

  • Sherri

    My husband loves apple desserts so I was looking for something other than the typical apple crisp to welcome in fall weather. This was a huge hit! We both loved it so much-the whole time he was eating it he was mentioning things like this needs to be the new go-to, we need to take this to a family gathering. It really is that good. Thanks for a great recipe that I have no doubt we will enjoy for years to come.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Apple juice is recommend for best flavor but it would probably turn out ok with water.

  • Gloria Gonzales

    Just need too make an 8×8 and also could I just use milk instead of buttermilk

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      You’d want to adjust servings down to 8 (when you select serving number you can adjust). Then as far as using milk it wouldn’t recommend it, the consistency wouldn’t be the same. You could try the buttermilk substitute (mixing milk with lemon or vinegar) but you may want to cut flour back by 1 Tbsp since it can be a little runnier.

  • Debora Gonek

    This is definitely the best Apple Cobbler recipe I have ever used. Will only use this one from now on. Not a pastry fan but do love love love cobbler topping. I did not have any apple juice so substituted with applesauce and had no affect on the outcome. The topping was so light and fluffy and delicious. Thanks and will be checking out other recipes to try.