Introduction
Apple Cobbler is a classic dessert for family gatherings, holiday celebrations, or cozy occasions. This warm, comforting dish, featuring tender, spiced apples topped with a buttery, golden biscuit layer, delivers a delightful balance of sweet and tart flavors with a satisfying texture. Presented in a white ceramic baking dish or on a white ceramic platter, optionally garnished with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dusting of powdered sugar, this Apple Cobbler recipe offers a rustic, appetizing aesthetic that elevates any table. This recipe provides a traditional version, adaptable for dietary preferences, ideal for home cooks seeking a hearty, crowd-pleasing dessert that brings homestyle, autumnal charm to any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
- 6 cups peeled, sliced apples (e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, about 5 medium apples)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
For the Biscuit Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Serving:
- Optional: Vanilla ice cream, powdered sugar
- Suggested Accompaniments: Whipped cream, caramel sauce
- Suggested Pairings: Hot coffee, spiced cider
- Suggested Aesthetic: Serve in a white ceramic baking dish or on a white ceramic platter
- Suggested Equipment: 9×9-inch or 2-quart baking dish, mixing bowls, pastry cutter or fork, peeler, knife, cutting board, measuring cups/spoons
Step-by-Step Process
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch or 2-quart white ceramic baking dish.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and water. Mix well. Taste a small piece of apple with the mixture (safe, as it’s pre-cooked) and adjust with a pinch of sugar or cinnamon for a balanced flavor. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- Make Biscuit Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk and vanilla until just combined to form a thick batter.
- Assemble Cobbler: Drop spoonfuls of biscuit topping over the apple filling, spreading slightly but leaving some gaps for a rustic look.
- Bake Cobbler: Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the topping is golden and the apple filling is bubbly. If the topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
- Serve: Let cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm in the white ceramic baking dish or scoop onto a white ceramic platter, garnished with vanilla ice cream or powdered sugar. Pair with whipped cream, caramel sauce, hot coffee, or spiced cider.
Tips for Better Apple Cobbler
- Use a mix of tart (Granny Smith) and sweet (Honeycrisp) apples for balanced flavor.
- Taste the apple filling before baking to balance sweet, tart, and spiced notes; adjust cautiously.
- Keep butter cold for the topping to achieve a flaky, biscuit-like texture.
- Drop the topping in uneven spoonfuls for a classic, rustic cobbler appearance.
- Present in a white ceramic baking dish or on a white ceramic platter to highlight the golden topping and bubbly filling.
- Make ahead: Prepare the apple filling and topping separately up to 1 day in advance; store in the fridge, assemble, and bake fresh.
- For a crispier topping, sprinkle 1 tbsp sugar over the batter before baking.
- Enhance aesthetic: Garnish with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or powdered sugar on a white ceramic platter for a warm, inviting look.
Variations and Customization
- Gluten-Free Apple Cobbler: Replace flour with a gluten-free flour blend; ensure baking powder is gluten-free.
- Vegan Apple Cobbler: Use vegan butter, replace milk with almond milk, and serve with dairy-free ice cream.
- Low-Sugar Apple Cobbler: Reduce granulated sugar to 1/4 cup and brown sugar to 2 tbsp; use unsweetened apples.
- Spiced Apple Cobbler: Add 1/4 tsp ground ginger or cloves to the filling for extra warmth.
- Apple Pecan Cobbler: Mix 1/2 cup chopped pecans into the topping for added crunch.
- Caramel Apple Cobbler: Drizzle 1/4 cup caramel sauce over the apples before adding the topping.
- Mini Apple Cobblers: Bake in individual ramekins for single servings; reduce baking time to 20–25 minutes.
- Mixed Fruit Cobbler: Replace 2 cups of apples with peaches or berries for a varied fruit base.
Storage and Serving Tips
- Leftover cobbler can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days; reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes or microwave until warm.
- Freeze baked cobbler (ungarnished) in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven.
- Serve warm for the best flavor and texture, with a soft filling and crisp topping.
- Use as a dessert for festive or casual occasions.
- Pair with hot coffee or spiced cider to complement the warm, spiced flavors.
- Present in a white ceramic baking dish or on a white ceramic platter with garnishes for an appetizing, homestyle charm.
Nutritional Information
Based on 8 servings:
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Total Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 200mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 46g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 28g
- Protein: 4g
- Vitamin A: 10% Daily Value
- Vitamin C: 8% Daily Value
- Calcium: 8% Daily Value
- Iron: 6% Daily Value
Note: Values vary by ingredient brands and substitutions (low-sugar options reduce sugars to ~18g). Moderate in sugars; enjoy with ice cream or fruit for balance.
Conclusion
This Apple Cobbler recipe delivers a warm, comforting dessert perfect for any occasion. It transforms simple ingredients into a homestyle classic. Its straightforward preparation and rustic presentation make it a favorite. The tender apples and buttery biscuit topping delight with every bite. It’s sure to be a cherished recipe, loved for its crowd-pleasing appeal.
Apple Cobbler Recipe: Warm and Comforting
Classic Apple Cobbler with warm, spiced flavor.
Ingredients
- Apple Filling:
- 6 cups peeled sliced apples
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
- Biscuit Topping:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter cold, cubed
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: Vanilla ice cream powdered sugar
- Suggested Pairings: Hot coffee whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F; grease 9x9-inch dish.
- Toss apples with lemon juice, sugars, spices, cornstarch, and water; taste and adjust; transfer to a dish.
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt; cut in butter; add milk, vanilla.
- Drop topping over apples.
- Bake 35–40 min until golden, bubbly.
- Serve in a white ceramic dish or platter with ice cream, powdered sugar, coffee, and cream.
Notes
- Use tart apples for balance.
- Store in fridge for 4 days or freeze for 2 months.
- Try gluten-free or caramel variation.
- Pair with cider.
