My apple cobbler recipe is easy, sweet, flavorful, and bursting with fresh apples. I cook the apples to create a caramelized, gooey, and delicious filling that I cover in a buttery topping.
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My Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe
I’m all about creating recipes that I can lean on every year around apple season. I’m a huge dessert lover and one of my go-to recipes is my easy apple cobbler recipe.
I’ve been known to make it as soon as apple picking starts here in NY, which usually means before Labor Day! I know, I know… no one wants to think about summer ending, but I, for one, always get excited at the thought of freshly picked apples! This easy apple cobbler just screams fall, and I’m here for it.
It’s sweet and flavorful without using a ton of ingredients, which is exactly what I look for in a dessert. Plus, my kids can put together all of the ingredients after I diced the apples.
And, if you love a good apple recipe, try my recipes for apple turnover, apple crumble cheesecake, air fryer apple fritters, cinnamon roll apple pie, air fryer apples, and apple pie with a graham cracker crust.
Simple Apple Cobbler Recipe Ingredients
- Granny Smith apples – or any other sweet and tart apples such as Honeycrisp
- Lemon Juice
- Granulated Sugar
- Dark Brown Sugar — I’ve also used light brown sugar too
- All-Purpose Flour
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Butter – unsalted and softened
- Baking Powder
- Vanilla Ice Cream – for serving, it’s optional, but it’s my favorite way to eat it
How to Make Apple Cobbler
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, then grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
STEP TWO: Peel and chop the apples to about ½-inch to ¾-inch in size. Transfer to a large pot and add the lemon juice, ¾ cup granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
STEP THREE: Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugars have dissolved. Do not pour any of the juices off as the apples cook.
STEP FOUR: Add ¼ cup of flour, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon of salt over the apples. Stir gently with a silicone spatula until well combined. Continue to cook for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes thick and caramelized and the apples are well coated. Then, transfer to the prepared baking dish.
STEP FIVE: Add the remaining flour, granulated sugar, salt, and baking powder to a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Add the softened butter and remaining cinnamon and mix.
STEP SIX: Toss the mixture over the apples. Press down, doing your best to cover as many of the apples as possible. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the caramel bubbles. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving, and enjoy!
Tips for This Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe
- Use 9 large Granny Smith apples, which was about 3 pounds of apples once I peeled and cut them.
- Cut apples may start to brown if left out too long. But, it won’t be noticeable once the brown sugar has been added and the fruit caramelizes. Sometimes, I’ll toss them with the lemon juice, cover them with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator if I know I won’t use them right away.
- Keep a close eye on the apples as they cook. I typically hang out in front of the stove so I can continue to stir as they go! If they burn, the final results may taste bitter, so constant stirring really is key.
- The topping should start to look like wet sand once the butter and cinnamon have been added. If it’s too dry, I’ll usually add a teaspoon of cold water at a time until I get the consistency I want.
- Overbaking will lead to a very dry apple cobbler! The topping will be golden brown and the filling bubbly when it’s cooked through and ready to pull out of the oven.
Variations and Substitutions for Apple Cobbler
- Use different kinds of apples. Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, and Pink Lady are all great options. I’ve also combined several different varieties at once, and it’s delicious!
- Incorporate some extra warm and cozy spices. Nutmeg, cardamom, or cloves would add even more flavor.
- Opt for a different sweetener. Honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar are some tasty options.
- A touch of orange zest or juice would add a bright, citrusy note to the apple filling.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute your preferred GF 1:1 flour instead of all-purpose.
- Include some chopped nuts in the cobbler topping for a crunchier texture. Plus, it will make the final results even more substantial. I love pecans and walnuts!
What to Serve with This Recipe
I like to serve this apple cobbler recipe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and homemade whipped cream on top! It’s a unique alternative to cake and pie for special occasions. I have even served it as a birthday cake for family and friends who love fruit cobbler.
Apple Cobbler Recipe FAQs
What is the Difference Between Apple Crisp and Apple Cobbler?
Apple crisp and apple cobbler may be similar, but they are two different desserts. Apple cobbler has a biscuit-like topping that’s often sprinkled on top of the filling by the spoonful like my recipe.
An apple crisp has a crumbly topping made with oats, brown sugar, and butter that crisps up when baked, like my air fryer apple crisp recipe. Both are warm and delicious — the topping is the key difference.
What are the Best Apples for Apple Cobbler?
The best apples for my apple cobbler recipe are ones that are sweet and tart. Granny Smith is by far the best option. Honeycrisp would also work, while Gala or Golden Delicious apples provide a sweeter flavor. I love to use a blend of different apple when I can.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
- Peanut butter balls
- 3 ingredient no bake cheesecake
- Fruit dip recipe
- Hershey kiss cookies
- Peach pie with canned peaches recipe
- Butterscotch cookies
- Strawberry shortcake
- 3 ingredient banana pudding
Easy Apple Cobbler
Ingredients
- 9 large Granny Smith apples about 3lbs
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar packed
- ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Apple Crumble Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Peel and chop the apples so they are about ½-inch to ¾-inch in size.
- Transfer the cubed apples to a large pot and add the lemon juice, ¾ cup granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Cook the apples over medium heat stirring until the sugars have dissolved. The apples will release a fair amount of liquid, this is normal – do not pour the liquid off.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup of flour, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon of salt over the apple mixture. Gently stir with a soft silicone spatula until the ingredients are well combined.
- Continue to cook the apples for 5 minutes, stirring frequently so they don’t burn. The mixture should be thick and caramelized, and the apples should be well coated.
- Transfer the apples to the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the topping ingredients of flour, granulated sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add the softened butter and cinnamon and mix with a fork until the mixture looks like wet sand.
- Sprinkle the topping mixture over the apple layer, pressing down and making sure to cover as many of the apples as possible.
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35 minutes or until the top is golden and the caramel is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let the Apple Cobbler sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream (optional).
Notes
- Don’t worry if the apples start to brown if left out too long; this won’t be noticeable once the brown sugar has been added and they caramelize.
- It’s important to carefully watch the apples as they cook in the pot. Stir them frequently so they don’t burn. A burned apple mixture will make your whole cobbler bitter.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
